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Head coach Bo Ryan had an all-important recruit on campus Tuesday with Class of 2015 shooting guard Brevin Pritzl visiting UW facilities. The De Pere High School product holds scholarship offers from Xavier and Creighton, and was in fact offered a scholarship from Ryan and associate head coach Greg Gard ($). According to 247 Sports' Evan Flood, Ryan mentioned Pritzl's Ben Brust-like shooting ability as a main reason the Badgers are drawn to the shooting guard.
The coaching staff added its second walk-on player for the 2014-15 season with the addition of 6-foot-4 shooting guard, T.J. Schlundt. Formerly of Oconomowoc High School, Schlundt transferred to St. John's Northwestern Military Academy for his senior season. He held scholarship offers from St. Joseph's, Wofford, UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, and a preferred walk-on spot at Marquette.
Ever since the team suffered its devastating Final Four loss, there has been nothing but praise for Bo and the boys. The cycle continues at Sports Illustrated, as Brian Hamilton thinks the Badgers are the clear favorites to win the conference for the first time since 2008.
"Wisconsin isn't just a contender. After 30 wins, a Final Four run and the loss of only one starter from that squad, the Badgers are a prohibitive favorite to win the Big Ten and can aspire to match -- or even exceed -- their postseason success from this past season."
If and when Ryan walks away from the UW sidelines, who might replace him? There is a large contingency of fans who feel former Badgers assistant and current Virginia head coach Tony Bennett could return back to Madison. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Bennett, along with Michigan's John Beilein, is a coach who intrigues NBA executives.
Two college coaches who intrigue NBA execs -- some who have openings, some who don't: Michigan's John Beilein and Virginia's Tony Bennett.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 12, 2014
Newly-drafted NFL player news -- defensive tackle Beau Allen will wear No. 94 for the Philadelphia Eagles. I can only imagine Allen painting his face in eyeblack while donning the same number as John Randle. (As comments have pointed out, Randle wore No. 93 with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. We apologize for the mistake). James White will have a much easier transition to the NFL unlike some of his fellow rookies, based on the fact that White's aunt and uncle live in nearby Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Sun Chronicle's Mark Farinella has the story on the family ties. Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis will sport Javon Walker's No. 84 next season for the Packers. ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde chronicles Abbrederis' journey from a walk-on to being selected by his hometown NFL team.
Chalk it up for another first-round prediction for running back Melvin Gordon. The Kenosha Bradford High School product was slotted to go No. 26 to the Indianapolis Colts in Sports Illustrated Chris Burke's 2015 NFL mock draft.
Speaking of White, head coach Gary Andersen extended a scholarship offer to his cousin, Class of 2015 three-star cornerback Rashard Causey, who is committed to former UW assistant coach Charlie Partridge's Florida Atlantic squad.
Quick Hitters
Hooray for 11 a.m. CT games! Andersen's squad will play back-to-back early games, with the first being against Maryland for Homecoming weekend and Rutgers the week after for the Scarlet Knights' Homecoming.
Former Madison Capitols skater and Denver men's hockey assistant coach Steve Miller returns to Madison to coach and oversee the newly-placed USHL team. He talks with Wisconsin State Journal's Andy Baggot about the homecoming.
Video of the Day
Former Nicolet High School star and Wisconsin student manager/walk-on Tanner Bronson looked like he was 12 until roughly age 25. Kidding aside, the point guard took what he learned from Ryan and the coaching staff and went on to get into the coaching profession. He is currently an assistant coach for St. Louis, but he would have made a helluva sports reporter.