[zcnumerounoParticipant]

As an avid college basketball lover, and a lifelong Wisconsin Badger basketball fan, I’ve been spoiled with consistency. Over my lifetime (since ’96) this team has been consistently good, with two great teams that got oh so close to winning it all. However this year’s team scares me, and I have to vent.

– Bronson Koenig is a great shooter. Give this guy space and he will knock down triples. He’s also one of the most clutch players in the country. However, he’s really not a creator… He’s really more of a 2-guard, and struggles getting inside the paint. Granted, this Badger team doesn’t space the floor very well, but he’s never been that great at creating off the dribble – for himself or for teammates. He played great at Ohio State in an incredibly disappointing loss. Him knocking down shots is key for the Badgers to remain competitive at all.
– Nigel Hayes, to me, is the most overrated player in the country. He disappears way too often in games. It seems to be like he is fine just being a role player. His shot sucks now – and has since the runner-up year – and his confidence has gone with it apparently. He clearly has the potential to lead this team, but hasn’t shown it consistently. He has played like a future NBA 2nd round steal in some games – against Syracuse for example – but has played like an average-at-best euro player in others like the game he just had against Ohio State.
– Ethan Happ is by far the Badgers best and most consistent player. He’ll likely finish runner-up in B1G POTY, but in my opinion he should win it. Without him, the Badgers wouldn’t be sniffing the top 25. He is the best defender in the country (don’t ask me, ask Jay Bilas), and is leading the Badgers in all major categories during conference play. The problem? He can’t do it himself.

This Badger team has got senior leadership and talent to be able to make a run in the tournament, but they are fading at the wrong time. The key to beating this Badger team is to double the post every time Ethan gets it and dare the other four on the court to beat you. Nigel Hayes should be the best player on this team, but he has played like the most overrated player in the country the past two seasons. If Bronson Koenig can continue to knock down shots, it will be harder for teams to constantly double Happ in the post, but the Badgers can’t win with these two as the only consistent offensive options. The Badgers must play better defensively than they did at Ohio State. Clearly this defense will have to keep them in the game because of the consistent offensive sputters that has plagued Wisconsin this year.

My question to the forum: How do you see the Badgers faring in March? And how do you see guys like Bronson, Nigel and Ethan Happ projecting as pro prospects?

[SubZeroParticipant]

My post won’t answer your question or the topic because I’ve barely watched any Wisconsin this year and don’t wanna give a half answer pretending I actually know what I’m talking about

I did have a thought involving former Wisconsin players, though. Who’s better at this point between Frank and Sam Dekker? I’ve seen a bunch of Dekker and I like him as a rotation player, but I haven’t got to see hardly any of Frank because Charlotte gets no screen time

[Sewok15Participant]

 Frank has been looking pretty good in February since becoming a starter. He is averaging 17 and 6 boards over that time. His team however has lost 12 out of their last 13. He is pretty much what you expected coming out of college a stretch 5 who will struggle defensively but he can score. In my mind he is Mo Speights with some upside.

Dekker only started one game all season but he did do something Frank has never done in his career in that one start and that is score 30 points. Sam has the look of one of those players that is just going to keep improving the next 4 or 5 years. The Rockets probably felt comfortable trading Brewer because Sam brings a lot of the things that Corey did but with more versatility because his size and strength allow him to play the 4 as well. I would compare him to Gallinari with more defensive potential. I always preferred Sam over Frank and nothing has changed there.

As for the current Badgers it is really hard to say. I think they could actually make a final 4 run with this squad because of the 3 players you mentioned…there aren’t many teams nationwide with 3 players that good. 

Koenig is my favorite Badger as he has always been clutch as you mentioned. His issues are he is undersized at 6-3 and isn’t a great athlete or a natural point guard. Maybe he will catch on as an Undrafted free agent on a team that desperately needs shooting but I doubt it. 

Hayes has strength to play the 4 but lacks in size and explosiveness…he has skill but not enough to get drafted in this draft class.

Ethan Happ is definitely an NBA player in my mind. He is the best player on the Badgers as a sophomore. He has the size the other two guys lack…he isn’t as gifted from the outside but as you said he is a great defender. I don’t see him entering the draft this year but next year once Koenig and Hayes are gone he should have a really good year and be a first round pick in 2018. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

Bo Ryan was a master at masking his players inefficiency, he was one of the best at it.. Obviously him being gone will hurt these guys in the Tourney.. I personally think theyll get bounced before the 2nd round..

All that being said

Wisconsin getting hammered by Ohio St just punched my ticket to Las Vegas for March Madness!

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

 I don’t get many Charlotte games either but I’d agree with you and say Dekker. He just fits the modern mold better. Hes much more athletic than Frank and can play some small ball 4. From what I’ve seen Frank is being under-utilized. The NBA is so obsessed with stretch bigs that it’s taken away a part of Frank’s game. The best part of his game in college was his post game. People forget his unbelievable foot work in the post! He did shoot the lights out recently in the Rising Stars game though. I think both have long NBa careers.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

Happ is a smart player who is willing to do the dirty work to win games. He doesn’t appear to be super athletic, but he has a variety of post moves and knows how to get his shot off and finish in traffic. He is an excellent passer, rebounder, and defends the pick and roll well. The major weakness in his game is that he is slightly undersized to play the five and has no outside shot. I think he can be a decent back up center in the league but probably nothing more than that.

I love Hayes potential on the defensive end of the floor. He is one of those guys that could be a real difference maker on that end  and has the length and athleticsm to guard multiple positions. His offensive development has stagnated though and his lack of shooting would no doubt be a liability. His effort and focus seems to wane at times. If he had come out in 2015, I think his draft stock would have been a lot higher. He might still be worth a look in the late 2nd round. 

Koenig is a good college player but I don’t really see much about his game that would translate to the next level besides outside shooting. In the right situation he could maybe crack a roster but it seems like a long shot. I definitely don’t see him getting drafted.

 

 

 

 

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