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November 6th,
2006
By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Broadcast Basketball
Wisconsin
Badgers
Overall Rank:
#4
Conference
Rank:
#1 Big Ten
2005-06:
19-12, 9-7, 4th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 Wisconsin usually has a bunch of no-names that you just know are going to
overachieve under Coach Bo Ryan and finish towards the top of
the Big Ten, no matter how much talent they lost the year
before. So what happens when the roster is loaded with talent
and experience? These guys could play under a high school coach
in a high school gym and beat some of the best teams in the
nation. Add the Kohl Center and Coach Ryan into the mix, and we
have ourselves a national title contender.
Who’s Out:
Ray
Nixon is the only departing player. The 6-8 swingman started
all 31 contests and averaged 6.2 points per game. Nixon was
second on the team last year with 46 long balls, but there are
options to replace Nixon in that department.
Who’s In:
The
backcourt could use some more depth and there are four newcomers
ready to fill the void. Trevon Hughes is an unselfish point
guard, but can score when he wants to. He’s a strong finisher
and can get to the basket for easy buckets or dishes to the big
guys. Jason Bohannon, Iowa’s Mr. Basketball last year, averaged
27 points per game during his senior season in high school.
He’s a tremendous outside shooter and will battle for minutes on
the wing. Mickey Perry redshirted last year and has plenty of
talent to contribute this year. Perry is super fast and proved
he will be an impact this year averaging 7.2 points per game
during the Badgers summer tour of Italy. Walk-on Brett Valentyn
will provide some emergency depth at the point guard position.
J.P. Gavinski, a 6-11 center, averaged 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds
and 7.6 blocks during his senior season at Wisconsin Dells High
School. Like with most big men at Wisconsin, Gavinski isn’t
expected to do too much during his freshman campaign, but will
have the opportunity to learn the ropes from some quality big
men.
Who to Watch:
Keep
an eye on the forwards. Alando Tucker will put up national
Player of the Year type numbers after averaging 19.0 points and
5.7 rebounds as a junior, all while battling with a nose
injury. For his senior campaign, the 6-6 forward has added a
little range on his jumper and, if Wisconsin can make a run, it
will be because of Tucker. The most interesting battle for
playing time will take place at the other forward spot. Jason
Chappell started 30 games as a power forward last year, but
Marcus Landry has the talent to dethrone him from his starting
position. Chappell is a steady presence under the basket and
averaged 4.4 points and 4.3 rebounds on the year. Landry missed
the second half of his freshman season due to academics, but
averaged 6.0 points in 16 appearances. No matter who starts,
both will see quality minutes. At the center spot, Brian Butch
returns to add to his 9.9 points and team high 6.0 rebounds.
After a disappointing freshmen season, Butch came on strong once
he found his role on the team. With even another year of
experience under his belt, Butch is ready for a big season.
Surprise sophomore Kevin Gullickson and 6-11 Greg Stiemsma will
add even more depth up front.
Final
Projection:
If there is a
problem, it’s at the two guard spot. Kammron Taylor will once
again run the show. He’s a solid long range shooter and scorer,
but needs to take better care of the ball. By March, incoming
freshman Hughes could take over the point guard duties, sliding
Taylor over to the two. In the meantime, Taylor will run the
point and Michael Flowers will be his backcourt mate. Despite
only starting in two games, Flowers was third on the team in
minutes and shouldn’t have a problem moving into the starting
role. After sophomore Joe Krabbenhoft, the depth on the
perimeter will have to be handled by the freshmen, unless things
get out of hand and everybody’s favorite walk-on Tanner Bronson
can mop up some minutes. The only thing that can beat the
Badgers on paper is poor free-throw shooting. Besides Taylor,
the team is questionable in that category and Tucker is just
painful to watch on the charity stripe. Eventually the Badgers
will lose a game down the stretch because of free throws, but
hopefully it won’t be in March.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Kammron Taylor,
Senior, Guard, 14.2 points per game
Michael Flowers,
Junior, Guard, 6.1 points per game
Alando Tucker,
Senior, Forward, 19.0 points per game
Jason Chappell,
Senior, Forward, 4.4 points per game
Brian Butch,
Junior, Center, 9.9 points per game
Also:
Complete Big Ten Preview & Ranking
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