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UW coming up on year’s finish

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Also by Mike Ackerstein:

UW's defense keys successes (March 11, 2008)
Wisconsin claims Big Ten title outright (March 10, 2008)
Rodgers' new job comes with price (March 6, 2008)
Seniors end final game at Kohl Center with a bang (March 6, 2008)

by Mike Ackerstein

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

With just two games between the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team and a regular season conference championship, the Badgers have started to focus on what a Big Ten title would mean.

“It’s first. This is the first thing where they allow you to cut down nets or to celebrate a championship,” head coach Bo Ryan said in his Monday press conference. “How important is the conference championship? It’s the most important because it’s what we’re in right now.”

UW is currently in the middle of a six-day layoff that gives the team a chance to rest up before the final regular season games.

“We’ll find out how useful it is when we play,” Ryan said. “We had some guys nicked up a bit, and they needed some tender love and care.”

As for where the Badgers stand heading into postseason play, Ryan is fairly confident about his team’s chances of success.

“Defensively our guys buy into what it takes. You’ve got to play hard on each possession,” Ryan said. “I just like where we are right now, and I’m thinking Big Ten, and I’m not thinking anything past that.”

With 24 wins already, the Badgers are essentially assured a NCAA tournament bid at this point, and Ryan acknowledged that all a team needs is a chance.

“If you’re in [the NCAA tournament] you can win it, and I’m not the first one to say it.”

Big Ten network affects season

The launch of the Big Ten Network this year has had both positive and negative impacts on the Badgers this season.

On the plus side, it gives potential recruits more opportunities to see Wisconsin play, as the team had 19 games televised on the station this year.

“I think they have, for the ones that have been able to get it,” Ryan said of whether recruits have been able to track the team’s games.

However, due to the network’s scheduling, the Badgers have had to deal with unfavorable game times.

“The only thing that might have hurt us a little bit is having those late games on the road,” Ryan said. “I think exposure-wise we still get plenty, but I think it’s just the time on those late games, I don’t know if they can ever change it … but the concept [of the network] is obviously very good.”

Bronson’s contributions noted

On Wednesday, Wisconsin’s four seniors — Brian Butch, Michael Flowers, Greg Stiemsma and Tanner Bronson — will all play their final game at the Kohl Center.

While the contributions of Butch, Flowers and Stiemsma are all reflected on the stat sheet, Bronson, who has only played 25 minutes all season, has affected the team in a different way.

“Tanner Bronson, all-time captain of the scout-team,” Ryan said. “Every day he came ready to do the job, and when he’s on the bench he’s coaching.

“He knows what the [opposing] team is going to run, and he’ll yell it out. … Tanner is pretty sharp.”

Play of Krabbenhoft critical to success

It seems the play of junior Joe Krabbenhoft has been a topic of conversation after every game this season. For the year Krabbenhoft is averaging 7.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and leads the team with 2.75 assists per game.

“A lot of things have been said about Joe, and they’re all true,” Ryan said. “He’s that kind of guy. He’s the kind of guy everyone wants on their team. If I’m playing pickup I want Joe. … I’m glad he’s with us.”

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