Sports: Men's Basketball

Men’s basketball ready to get season underway

Following yet another successful season with head coach Bo Ryan at the helm, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team is poised to defend its Big Ten title.

During Wisconsin basketball media day yesterday, Ryan, as well as other members of the team, discussed the upcoming season and their hopes and expectations for the coming year.

Despite losing three seniors — two of them starters — to graduation, the Badgers feel they can uphold the title that surprised the conference last season. With new players taking over major responsibilities, Ryan sees their competitive drive as a good sign for the imminent season.

“They’re ready to contribute; they’re ready to say, ‘Hey coach, put me on the floor,” Ryan said. “If you’re a teammate of mine, the best way I’m showing you respect is by kicking your butt in practice.”

The Badgers return starters Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft and Trevon Hughes. It has yet to be determined who will be filling in for former guard Michael Flowers and center Brian Butch.

New players will be stepping into the starting roles, and while the team does not have an abundance of veteran players, it does have an ample number of hungry freshmen and sophomores competing for positions.

“Every year we’re kind of replacing guys in a different way,” junior guard Jason Bohannon said. “By doing the same thing this year, we just have to pick up where we left off and be able to work hard every day and try and get better.”

As a result of the youth on the team, Wisconsin will have to rely on Landry and Krabbenhoft to keep the team in check.

“In the locker room — that’s where leadership is of the utmost importance from the players,” Ryan said. “When we start traveling … that’s when you want the seniors, the upperclassmen to pass on to the underclassmen and say, ‘This is the way we do it.’”

With his coveted swing offense in high gear, Ryan knows despite the loss of some of the Badgers’ most productive players, scoring won’t be an issue because of the offensive system set in place.

“Guys will find points,” Ryan said. “If we see a shot that’s not really something that’s conducive for us, we’ll let them know. … When we see those, we say, ‘No, that’s not a good shot. We can get a better one.’”

Last year, the Badgers advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating Cal State Fullerton and Kansas State in the opening two rounds. Against Davidson, one of the hottest teams in the country, the Badgers lost 73-56.

Nevertheless, Wisconsin looks to recapture its strong play from last season that led to a Big Ten regular season title as well as a Big Ten Tournament title.

“You just got to keep getting better,” Bohannon said. “Last year, we could’ve played better, but this year we’re going to continue where we left off and keep going.”

Despite their success last season, the Badgers have received a relatively low preseason ranking — but instead of looking at the fact with disdain, Wisconsin is using it as motivation to make a statement.

“Every time we step on the court we try to make each other better,” sophomore forward Jon Leuer said. “I definitely feel like we have a good team. It’s a long season, and I definitely feel like we’re ready for it.”

In terms of goals, the Badgers have laid out their own plans for the season, which tend to revolve around putting in the maximum amount of time and effort into every practice and game.

As a result of its consistent success and seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Wisconsin has lofty expectations going into the season from non-UW-related sources.

“[We’ve established] high expectations from outsiders and the players” Ryan said. “I just always coach and teach and say, ‘Here’s what we need to do to be successful.’ I think when you ask what has happened as a result of that, people expect us to compete at a high level.”