The Badger Herald

SPORTS

Size matters: UW towers over Savannah State

Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.

Also by Mike Ackerstein:

Wisconsin hits road for Milwaukee (December 12, 2007)
Heisman pressures could tackle Tebow (December 10, 2007)
Wisconsin's home streak dead at 28 (December 10, 2007)
Poor ball control haunts Badgers (December 10, 2007)
Badgers put on show against Terriers (December 4, 2007)

by Mike Ackerstein

Friday, November 16, 2007

Towering over its opponents, it is no surprise the Wisconsin men's basketball team had little trouble dominating Savannah State Thursday night.

The Tigers' tallest starter, forward Lazarius Coleman, stands at just 6-foot-8. Compare that to Badger starters Greg Stiemsma and Brian Butch, who each measure 6-foot-10. Marcus Landry and Joe Krabbenhoft are also 6-foot-7. The Tigers' leading rebounder from Thursday night, with six, Joel Davilla is just 6-foot-3.

"Right out from the start, looking at the matchups, we had definite size advantage," Stiemsma said.

Over the next 40 minutes Wisconsin proceeded to exploit its decided size advantage, out-rebounding Savannah State 51-27 and notching nine blocks to one for its counterpart.

"They were pretty athletic, they were quick, but I think overall our size and overall length over took their athleticism," Stiemsma said.

By attacking the basket with size, UW was able to pick up early fouls from its overmatched opponent, allowing the team to get to the line often. The Badgers shot 35 free throws over the course of the game.

"That's our first goal, to score inside and get free throws early," Steimsma said.

Really, the only surprise was the inside play of Butch, who struggled for the second-straight game in putting baskets in down low.

"He'll be fine," Ryan said of Butch, showing little concern over his big man's shooting.

The senior shot just 4-of-12 from the field for the game with two of his missed shots coming from behind the 3-point line.

Press doesn't phase Badgers

For the first time this season, exhibition games included, the Badgers were faced with full court pressure as the Tigers attempted to make up for their lack of size with an on-and-off press.

"We were calm, we were cool customers," guard Trevon Hughes said of how UW responded. "We practiced [the press], we know that's what [Savannah State] was going to do.

"We handled it pretty well."

Though UW was ultimately able to break through with ease in the second half, the press did slow the team down initially, and even forced a couple of Badger turnovers. Still, Ryan didn't seem too concerned.

"We were fine," Ryan said. "We had some guys at some spots simply because the way we were subbing that wasn't the most normal positions.

"We did okay."

Bench sees playing time in rout

With the game in hand late in the second half and with two more on tap over the next couple of days, the Badgers were able to go deep down the bench to get players in.

Freshman Tim Jarmusz saw his first action of the season and ended speculation that the newcomer would redshirt this year.

"What Tim showed the last few days of practice determined for him and his family and also coach Ryan that a redshirt isn't needed for him and that he is ready to play," Krabbenhoft said. "He proved to all of us early on, even in the summer that he was ready to play. … He made some huge strides the last couple of weeks."

In three minutes of play the guard committed one foul and did not take any shots. Jarmusz's lack of shots may likely have come from the late-game entrance of redshirt freshman J.P. Gavinksi. The 6-foot-11 center launched three shots in just four minutes of action, including a 3-pointer that could not find its way in.

"That's a record number of shots in the shortest period of time in the history of the University of Wisconsin," Ryan joked after the game. "We had a good chuckle in the locker room.

"J.P.'s got a good sense of humor."

Add a comment

We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.