Following a fourth place finish in the Big Ten, a magical run to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game, a first round loss to Ole Miss and a finish against Michigan that Badger fans won’t soon forget, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team prepares to improve upon last year’s roller coaster season. Three of Wisconsin’s starters last season – Jared Berggren, Mike Bruesewitz and Ryan Evans – are gone, but returning for his 13th season is reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Bo Ryan, who has assembled a roster mixed with veteran moxie and athletic underclassmen that should make for another exciting season. Here are the players to watch heading into Wisconsin’s exhibition opening game against UW-Platteville Oct. 30.
Veterans:
#1 Ben Brust
From never starting a game entering his junior year to leading the team in minutes by nearly 200, Ben Brust – one of two seniors on the roster – adds a veteran savvy to the Ryan’s squad. The shooting guard is always a threat to score after hitting at least two baskets from deep in 15 straight games last year and setting a program record of three balls made in a season with 79.
Wisconsin shouldn’t have to rely on Brust as much this year with a loaded backcourt, but he will continue to play a key role for the Badgers and will be one of the first options to take the last shot in a tight game.
#12 Traevon Jackson
If Josh Gasser’s season-ending injury benefited anyone last year, it was Traevon Jackson. Before his sophomore season, Jackson played a total of five minutes for the Badgers. With the starting point guard spot up for grabs, the Ohio native took ahold of it early in the year and came away with 29 starts.
Jackson will need to sure up his ball handling after leading the team in turnovers, but the good outweighs the bad for the junior. He has the ability to facilitate and can be relied upon in clutch situations, which he proved with game-winning shots against Minnesota and Penn State last year, as well as earning a spot on the All-Big Ten Tournament Team.
#21 Josh Gasser
Wisconsin will get its starting point guard back after losing Gasser for all of last year when he tore his ACL in late October. Gasser is easily UW’s most tenured player with 66 starts under his belt.
The Port Washington product has the ability to score, but with plenty of shooters on the floor this season, his biggest contribution will come on defense. A 2012 All-Big Ten Defensive Team selection, Gasser will anchor the Badgers’ perimeter defense. The biggest test for the redshirt junior will be regaining confidence in his surgically repaired knee.
#44 Frank Kaminsky
Kaminsky was used sparingly last year — averaging just more than 10 minutes a game — with Berggren playing a majority of the time as the Badgers’ big man. Since Berggren graduated, Kaminsky now inherits the starting role down low. At 7-feet, Kaminsky will be Wisconsin’s primary post presence and won’t be a liability at the foul line where he lead Wisconsin last year, hitting 76.7 percent of his attempts.
Young guns:
#15 Sam Dekker
Last year’s sixth man and frequent offensive stimulus will be forced to take on a bigger role this season in the starting lineup. Between his athletic moves around the rim and a pretty consistent stroke from beyond the arc, it wasn’t very difficult for Dekker to bring the Kohl Center to its collective feet.
In order to stay on Ryan’s court, however, Dekker will have to show some improvement in his overall defense. The excitement with that comes when the high-flying Dekker anticipates a pass and has an uncontested breakaway. Dekker will definitely be a favorite for Wisconsin highlights this season.
#3 George Marshall
Marshall gained valuable experience last year as a redshirt freshman thanks to the depleted Wisconsin backcourt. The Chicago native has great quickness and is efficient from downtown, ranking 12th in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage coming in at 36.8 percent last season. Traevon Jackson eventually beat him out for the starting point guard role, but Marshall still played significant minutes for the Badgers. Marshall should be one of the first guys to come off the bench for Ryan and could even challenge for a starting role if he continues to develop.
#24 Bronson Koenig
Koenig passed on early offers from ACC powers Duke and North Carolina to stay closer to home at the Kohl Center. What he’ll find is a loaded backcourt to fit into, where three other Badgers have played extensively at the point position.
Lauded for his passing ability and athleticism, Koenig might bring a presence not seen in other Wisconsin point guards, however. Similar to Dekker, he’ll have to prove a defensive presence to crack Ryan’s lineup in just his first year. Like past freshmen, if Ryan likes what he sees, it’ll be up to Koenig to earn and keep his spot in the rotation.
#10 Nigel Hayes
It was pretty much a toss-up who — Koenig or Hayes — was Ryan’s top incoming recruit for the 2013-14 season. However, Hayes likely had a much tougher decision, electing the Badgers offer instead of his home state’s Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Toledo, Ohio native will bring some lanky athleticism to the Wisconsin front court, a spot left very wide open after the departure of Jared Berggren and Ryan Evans. For playing time, Hayes will be battling near-starting shoe-in Frank Kaminsky, redshirt junior Duje Dukan and possibly Dekker if he gets some minutes with three guards on the floor.
#30 Vitto Brown
Like Hayes, Brown also comes to Wisconsin from Ohio, passing on Big Ten schools Minnesota and Nebraska and choosing the Badgers. Not rated as highly as Hayes, Brown will bring a very similar 6-foot-7 frame to the front court. In any other year, he might not grab as many minutes, but considering the lacking depth and experience by Badger bigs, Brown can’t be considered a long shot.
Brown’s overall length will serve Wisconsin in guarding the lane, an ever-important feature for Ryan that Berggren and Evans provided throughout most of their careers. Don’t be surprised to see Brown on the floor, especially at the beginning of the season.
