Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan prefers, in his words, to "enjoy the fruits of our labor" during post-game press conferences — meaning he never, ever, speaks about whatever game might be next on the schedule.

So when Ryan went out of his way to say that the men's basketball team was "walking into a hornets' nest" on Wednesday, it was only slightly more surprising than seeing Tanner Bronson start at center.

So when the Badgers travel to Ann Arbor this Saturday for their only regular season matchup against the Wolverines, expect the team to be very aware of the dangers Big Blue presents.

"Man, from what I've seen … whew! Yeah, they are pretty good," Ryan exclaimed. "I'd say that roster is looking pretty good, and [head coach Tommy Amaker] has got them playing."

What Michigan presents is a bevy of athleticism, length and experience.

"The biggest thing that jumps out is that the consistency they are playing with, the confidence they are playing with and I think it really goes back to their experience and their depth," assistant coach Greg Gard said.

"I'm going to have to do a better job of taking care of the ball and watching their long arms because they're everywhere," junior guard Kammron Taylor said of his responsibilities as point guard heading into the game.

The Wolverines bring back five players with ample starting experience and are led by senior guard Daniel Horton. Horton is leading the team in points (16.6 ppg), assists (5.5 apg), steals (1.9 spg) and three-pointers (37) this season and has evolved into one of the best guards in the country.

"Look what Horton is doing now that he's healthier and ready," Ryan said.

"They have a terrific leader in Dan Horton," Gard said. "He's really developed into the point guard that everybody kind of envisioned they would see and now it is on a consistent basis."

Since Big Ten play began, Horton has lifted his game to even higher heights, bringing his average up to 20.3 points per game, including his 23 point, five assist performance in Michigan's toppling of No. 11 Michigan State on Wednesday night.

"He's been rock solid and is doing a great jump-shooting the ball and running the team," Gard said. "They really feed off him, so I think it starts with him."

Although stopping the Wolverines usually starts with slowing down Horton, by no means does it end there. Michigan's biggest strength in past seasons has been their interior game, as they have several stout shot blockers and post presences. Courtney Sims is second in the conference in blocks averaging 1.94 a contest, while also bringing down 6.4 boards and scoring 12.6 points, both good for second best on the team.

"Sims has done a nice job of staying within himself," Gard said. "Defensively, [he's not] getting in foul trouble and knowing when to leave his feet. It's made him a real force."

Graham Brown is another post power for the Wolverines and has been a very effective rebounder, bringing down 7.4 a game, sixth-best in the conference.

"He's a player you love to coach. I can see why he has had such a nice career there, because he has just been everywhere," Gard said. "He's always battled hard and played physical and on the glass, but this year he has just taken it to a whole [new] level."

One plus for Wisconsin is that it likely won't have to deal with the likes of junior Lester Abram, who is questionable for Saturday's game with a severe ankle sprain.

"Even when a Lester Abram gets hurt, they have had guys step in and not miss a beat," Gard said. "Now they are putting things together, and they are a seasoned group."

Under Amaker, the Wolverines have become a team that loves to take advantage of their athleticism and get up and down the floor as quickly as possible. One of Wisconsin's biggest goals will be trying to control the pace of the game and not get caught up in Michigan's frenetic style of play.

"They are a real athletic team. They like to get up and press you when they are on defense, and you just have to be strong with the ball and just play smart," junior forward Jason Chappell said. "You have to try to contain that and not let it get it into a running up and down the floor game. We need to control the pace of the game."

Wisconsin lifted themselves back into sole possession of first place in the conference Wednesday and now will have the another opportunity to defend that position in a tough road environment, after losing to Ohio State last time they were in the same position.

"We know what we're going to have to do to go up there and get one, though," Ryan said.