[JNixonParticipant]

18: Wisconsin Badgers

Frontcourt- Yeah, they lose Jon Leuer and Keaton Nakinvil, which totals up to 41% of the squads scoring, 36% of the rebounds, and 70% of the teams blocks combined. Leuer was the #40 pick of the draft to the Milwaukee Bucks. Pretty significant loses. They do return some guys who played minutes as reserves behind those guys. The PF spot will be held down by Jr. Mike Bruesewitz, a key rotation player last year (20 mpg) and a fan favorite with his Carrottop hair. The 6’6 230 Bruesewitz is a knockdown shooter with his feet set at the 3-point line, an energetic and tough player, and a good passer in the flow of the swing offense. He’s also able to post a little and has some strength to him. He’s not athletic and lacks length though, which hurts him as a rebounder and one-on-one defender. Look for him to get about 9 ppg and 4 or 5 rpg. The C spot figures to see 6’11 260 rJr. Jared Berggren getting the nod. Berggren is a big body who had the best moves of the Badger’s bigs last year according to those close to the program, but he also has the ability to stick the open 3. He’s not an athlete either and he’s not a defensive presence, but he will contribute a lot on offense with his shooting and post game. Look for him to get about 11 ppg and 5 rpg. He’s the only legit back-to-basket scorer on the team, and the minutes will be there for him to improve and produce. The SF spot will see contributions from rJr. Ryan Evans, Sr. Rob Wilson, a young PF in Frank Kaminsky, and a young combo forward in the fold with Fr. Jarrod Uthoff. The 6’6 205 Evans is easily the best athlete on an otherwise pedestrian team in terms of athleticism, and another fan favorite due to his hair (he sports a box fade). He runs the court very well, plays with energy, and is the only guy on the team with a backdoor alley-oop play in Coach Ryan’s playbook. He plays physical, rebounds well for a wing, and tries hard as a role player, but he’s not a scorer or a good shooter. He just hasn’t been productive enough to play extended time over his career because he’s limited with his offensive tools. Coach Ryan would like for Evans to be the teams designated perimeter defender, but he doesn’t consistently defend the other teams best player without fouling or making mental mistakes. It’s safe to say Evans will need to grow up this year, he’s the most experienced wing on the team now. The 6’4 200 Wilson is an athletic wing with strength, but he’s also not particularly effective as a shooter or scorer. Kaminsky can play inside and out at 6’11, but he needs strength. The 6’8 200 Uthoff is skinny guy who runs the floor well and is a solid passer. He’s developing his shooting and body though, so he could either be in and out of the rotation, or he could redshirt, as Bo Ryan isn’t afraid to make guys spend a year to work on their skills or body to prepare for the Big 10’s physicality. The Badgers are down a few notches from last year on the frontline, but I expect Bruesewitz to step up and hold down the middle. The Badgers always find ways to make up for production, and the guys are there to at least largely make up for the losses in numbers while still running the swing effectively. I like their big guys’ ability to hit their 3’s with their feet set.

Backcourt- Anything the Badgers have going for them will revolve around 6’0 195 Sr. Jordan Taylor, their All-American guard. Taylor was probably the most efficient guard in major college basketball last season, as he led the country in A/TO (3.83/1), and shot 43% from the field (45% in the regular season and Big 10 tourny) and from behind the arc. Taylor has taken care of the ball phenomenally well throughout his career as he’s as good a fit as Bo Ryan’s ever had at PG quite frankly. He has also developed a jump shot that he didn’t previously have in his career, as he went from a 19% 3-point shooter as a Fr, to a mediocre 32% as a Soph., to an impressive 43% as a Jr. And he did it while significantly increasing his attempts every year. He’s always been a strong driver to the cup due to his bulky frame and solid quickness, so his jumper made him nearly impossible to guard, especially during the Big 10 slate where he was phenomenal last year. The only chinks in his armor are his lack of much athleticism, where he struggles to get all the way to the rim and the fact that he struggles with quicker PG’s. Taylor is an NBA prospect who could be a 1^st round pick if he continue his incredibly efficient play while continuing to develop his jumper, which was a weapon last year. He has good backup PG potential in the NBA. Taylor will be one of the 2 or 3 best PG’s next year. The SG beside him will be the mature Soph. Josh Gasser, who was a rare Bo Ryan Fr. to be a starter, last year. Gasser is the consummate team player, who does wherever is asked of him, recording the 1^st triple double in Badger history last year as a true Fr. (!). He has a natural shot that will get more efficient, came through in the clutch last year, and is a great passer in the offense. He isn’t athletic, but he competes on D and will be looked at as a steady hand once again. He’s sure to have a very good 4-year career for the Badgers, look for him to get about 9 ppg 2 apg, and 4 rpg next year. The guy is a Bo Ryan favorite. Evans and Wilson are swingmen, and will provide depth at SG. The PG spot will need depth from Fr. George Marshall, a 5’11 180 guard. Marshall is an aggressive scorer from the PG spot and he can also play SG if need be. He won’t see the floor much at all with Taylor in the backcourt. Taylor is an All-American who will be among the top PG’s next year, and Gasser is a perfect fit in the swing offense and will improve more as a Soph.

Overall- Bo Ryan is a solid coach who develops guys for his system every year when it looks like they will be rebuilding. Taylor and Gasser are perfect for his team in the backcourt, and that will be key for their offensive success, but he does have frontline guys won’t miss shots often when they spot-up for the perimeter. This ranking will be too high if Bruesewitz and Berggren (especially) don’t step up and at least almost match Leuer and Nakivil’s production. I look for Wisconsin to be a 2 and out team.

 

[providencefriars1Participant]

Jordan Taylor did not get nearly enough attention last year, he is a terrific point guard who can score a lot as well. He will be the driving force of the Badgers

[providencefriars1Participant]

Jordan Taylor did not get nearly enough attention last year, he is a terrific point guard who can score a lot as well. He will be the driving force of the Badgers

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

a shoutout to one of my best friends. Jordan Smith who turned down scholorships offers from schools like St. Louis will be walking on at Wisconsin this year.  He is a knockdown shooter who shot 52% in high school while leading his team to a state championship.  Hope he gets some run this year because everyone needs a shooter.  

[Jayhawks2011Participant]

a shoutout to one of my best friends. Jordan Smith who turned down scholorships offers from schools like St. Louis will be walking on at Wisconsin this year.  He is a knockdown shooter who shot 52% in high school while leading his team to a state championship.  Hope he gets some run this year because everyone needs a shooter.  

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

I agree Taylor could be a very good backup in the NBA, a Jarrett Jack type player.

And I dont know what happened to Evans last year, he looked like he really lost his confidence, not getting consistent minutes. As a freshman he had a great mid range jumper especially from the short corner, hopefully he regains his confidence. Gasser is gonna be a great 4 year player at the 2 and we’ll see if Evans can’t step in at the 3.

[BasterdInABasketParticipant]

I agree Taylor could be a very good backup in the NBA, a Jarrett Jack type player.

And I dont know what happened to Evans last year, he looked like he really lost his confidence, not getting consistent minutes. As a freshman he had a great mid range jumper especially from the short corner, hopefully he regains his confidence. Gasser is gonna be a great 4 year player at the 2 and we’ll see if Evans can’t step in at the 3.

[Author]

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