2008 Wisconsin Badgers Hoops Preview

Joe Krabbenhoft has a message for those who doubt the Wisconsin Badgers, last seen getting run off the court by Davidson at Ford Field in the Sweet 16. “We’ll be back,” says the senior swingman. “Coach (Bo) Ryan will get us ready.”

Just as Ryan did last season, when he faced the task of having to replace three starters, including the Big Ten Player of the Year, from a team that attained the No. 1 ranking during the regular season and set a school record for wins in a season (30). Despite those personnel losses, UW won the Big Ten regular-season and tourney titles and finished 31–5.

The season ultimately ended in disappointment, with the lopsided loss to upstart Davidson, but the unexpected and memorable journey reaffirmed the notion that Ryan has established UW as one of the Big Ten’s elite programs.

Ryan again faces the task of replacing three key seniors — forward Brian Butch, guard Michael Flowers and center Greg Stiemsma. Yet does anyone doubt UW will contend for the league title and another high seed in the NCAA Tournament despite those personnel losses?

Frontcourt

Despite the loss of Butch and Stiemsma, UW could again boast a four-player rotation for the two frontcourt spots. The keys: Jon Leuer must become stronger and more consistent on defense, and Keaton Nankivil must blossom as the staff anticipates.

The stalwarts, though, should be seniors Marcus Landry and Krabbenhoft, both of whom started all 36 games last season. Landry has the experience and athletic ability to be UW’s best interior defender and best interior scorer. He must avoid disappearing on offense, though, as he did in the NCAA Tournament when he made just 4-of-15 shots. Krabbenhoft will again be relied upon to contribute across the board, which is the beauty of his overall game. As a junior, Krabbenhoft was second on the team in assists and rebounds, third in steals, and sixth in scoring.

The 6'10" Leuer is a skilled offensive threat who can hit from 3-point range, a must for big men in Ryan’s swing offense. Leuer made 5-of-5 3-pointers and scored 25 points in the Big Ten opener, but his struggles on defense led to decreased minutes.

Nankivil played a total of only 46 minutes in 19 games, largely because his defense needed work, but he showed significant improvement in practice late in the season. He should provide UW with needed muscle on the baseline.

Backcourt

Juniors Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon should be the starters from Day 1. Hughes blossomed after a quiet freshman season and started 34 games. He can be a terrific on-ball defender and is one of the few players on the team capable of breaking down defenders off the dribble. And when he does get into the lane he can score or set up his teammates for an easy basket.

Bohannon was known as a spot-up jump-shooter as a freshman. His jumper remains his No. 1 weapon, but he expanded his game to get to the basket more consistently, and he is a better defender than his reputation suggests. Bohannon was the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year.

UW will need at least a third guard, and sophomore Tim Jarmusz is the early leader. Jarmusz is a solid outside threat and a capable defender. Also, Krabbenhoft can play a guard spot depending on match-ups.

However, don’t discount the chances of two freshmen vying for playing time. Jordan Taylor, Mr. Basketball in Minnesota, is a gifted point guard who also knows how to score. If his defense is solid, and he limits his mistakes, Taylor could back up Hughes. Robert Wilson is a rangy wing from Ohio who has impressed the UW coaches with his defensive skills. And Ryan won’t play freshmen if they can’t defend.

Final Analysis

Ryan’s few critics point to the fact that UW bowed out of the NCAA prematurely in each of the last two seasons — in the second round two seasons ago and in the Sweet 16 last season. The seniors on both teams expected to advance deeper. Still, Ryan’s track record in Madison is quite impressive. He has an overall mark of 173–60 (84–30 Big Ten) in seven seasons and has finished no lower than fourth place in league play, with three Big Ten titles and two second-place finishes. Yet another upper-division finish is a virtual certainty.