Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#16 Wisconsin Badgers

Big Ten

2003-04: 25-7, 12-4, 2^nd

2003-04 postseason: NCAA 2^nd Round

By Joel Welser

If Devin Harris didn’t go to the NBA, this squad would easily be a top five team.  Even without Harris, the Badgers will compete for the Big Ten championship.  Not even counting the incoming freshman, Wisconsin has a great group of players that didn’t play last year due to injuries or redshirting. 

Who’s Out: Devin Harris averaged 19.5 points and 4.3 assists per game.  Returning players Boo Wade and Kammron Taylor are the likely candidates to replace Harris.  Wade averaged 2.6 assists and turned the ball over 1.5 times per game last year, but is taking a leave of absence for an undetermined amount of time.  He’s not a scorer, but his passing and smart ball handling are all head coach Bo Ryan needs from him.  Starter Freddie Owens averaged 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds his last season in Madison, but it will be his defense that will be missed the most.  Center Dave Mader has also run out of eligibility.  The 6-11, 255-pounder averaged 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.

Who’s In: The backcourt gets some help with senior transfer Sharif Chambliss.  The former Penn State star should be an adequate replacement for Freddie Owens.  Chambliss lacks the defensive prowess that Owens had, but is a much bigger scoring threat, especially from behind the arc.  A torn ACL will likely keep him out of action until January.  Alando Tucker missed most of last year with an injury but should be healthy enough to start this year.  Tucker averaged 14.0 points in the four games he played last year and averaged 12.0 points and 5.9 boards two seasons ago.  Brian Butch redshirted last year.  The 6-11 forward has added 30 pound over the last year and should be ready to make a major contribution.  Jason Chappell was another victim of an injury last year.  The sophomore didn’t see much action in 2002-2003 as a freshman, but should see more minutes this year off the bench.  Incoming freshman Greg Stiemsma averaged 11.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game in a senior season of high school that was limited by a knee injury.  He’ll see some minutes with his defensive and rebounding skills.  Incoming freshmen Michael Flowers and DeAaron Williams will provide some depth in the backcourt.  Flowers could be pressed into action if Boo Wade is out of action for a significant amount of time or Kammron Taylor runs into problems running the point.

Who to Watch: The Badgers are loaded with talent.  Clayton Hanson is a major 3-point threat, Zach Morley was one of the nation’s best sixth men last year and Ray Nixon is expected to become more of an impact player.  Mike Wilkinson headlines the frontcourt though.  He averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior last year.  Wilkinson has played in 96 straight games over his three years in Madison and will use that experience to become a team leader.  The 6-8, 240 pound Blue Mound, Wisconsin product is an excellent outside shooter.  He’s quick and doesn’t lose control while driving to the basket.  He’ll score with his back to the basket or hit the face-up jumper.  He made 28 of 81 shots from behind the arc last year, which isn’t the best percentage, but he’ll take them when he’s open and always seems to hit the big shot. 

Projected Conference Rank: There are a lot of new faces which can pose some questions, but most of them were injured or redshirting, which means they know the program and they know Bo Ryan’s style.  The true freshmen might have some things to get used to, but everybody else, if healthy, will be ready to go from day one.  Devin Harris is a big loss, but don’t count out the Badgers.  Another 2^nd place finish in the Big Ten will keep the Badgers on the same level as last year, even without Harris.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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