Wisconsin's frigid winter is setting in just as its in-state rivalries are heating up. The Badgers play four home games within the next two weeks, three of which are against opponents hailing from Wisconsin: UW-Green Bay, Marquette and UW-Milwaukee. The Badgers have flourished against these three in-state opponents, with an impressive 10-3 mark under head coach Bo Ryan.
Despite their recurrent success, Ryan believes the upcoming home stand will be extremely competitive.
"Every time we play they are hard fought games and games of interest," Ryan said.
As a veteran coach with 31 years of experience in Wisconsin, Ryan has a unique insider's perspective on in-state competition. He credits the current high level of play in the state to what he calls the evolution of Wisconsin basketball. In other words, Ryan believes powerhouse programs such as UW-Milwaukee, Marquette and his own Badgers owe their well-known national success to improved coaching and facilities at the high school level. "The better the coaches get as instructors, the better basketball becomes … 30 or 40 years ago guys were coaching two or three sports … there are (also) better facilities at schools … I think it all leads to better basketball," Ryan said.
The development of Wisconsin basketball in recent years means more widespread talent and greater recruiting opportunities for the Badgers. As a result, this approaching four-game home stand is more than just about bragging rights, but persuading local talent to sign with the Badgers.
Bo Ryan's dominant tenure at UW certainly must be alluring to local recruits. In his five seasons as head coach, the Badgers have compiled a 60-3 record at the Kohl Center, including a 31-1 record in Big Ten home games.
A little help from Tuck: This season, the Badgers are 5-1. Their prodigious offense has scored at least 70 points in every game this season. Team leader Alando Tucker is a major reason behind the strong start and high scoring. He continues his impressive play from last year as he leads the team in scoring, averaging 19.3 points per game.
However, Tucker's year has not been perfect. He suffered a nasal injury late in the first half at Wake Forest and now must wear a protective facial mask during games. Additionally, Tucker is struggling from the free-throw line. Since the season's start, Tucker has made only 26 out of 46 attempts (57 percent).
Coach Bo Ryan, however, reasons that the talented junior will overcome any early struggles, especially regarding free throws during key moments of the game.
"Most of the players, that are playing at our level, have been at the line in crucial situations and had to make free throws," Ryan said.
The coach further alluded to Tucker's free-throw problems, stating that free throws are really just a test of fundamentals, with players going on streaks and slumps.
"Free-throw shooting just seems to be so streaky at times for some people," added Ryan.
"He went through a stretch last year where he hit just about everything and other times maybe not. So it's something that's a little streaky. Hopefully he'll have his; he'll be very consistent here in the future. That's all you can hope for. He practices. He works at it. It's just free throws are something where you have to, there's a break in the action, you go to the line, and it's just you, the ball and the rim, and you've got to knock them down."