You might say the Wisconsin women’s basketball team has dominated its competition so far. The Badgers have won eight of nine games, losing only to Texas. UW won six of those games by 10 points or more. And, the Badgers have won three of four games against ranked opponents, with an average victory margin of 16 points.
What conclusions can we draw from the team so far? Well, you might say the Badgers have benefited from an easy schedule, with games against Marquette (2-5), Pittsburgh (3-5), UW-Milwaukee (3-5) and Cleveland State (3-3).
But Wisconsin has also faced No. 20 Florida (6-3), No. 18 Texas (6-1), and No. 13 North Carolina State (6-2). Overall, the records of Wisconsin’s nine opponents add up to 39-31. And according to Jerry Palm’s CollegeRPI.com, a website that duplicates the NCAA’s formula for selecting at-large tournament teams, the Badgers’ schedule ranks 25th toughest in America.
You might say the Badgers are a well-rounded, egalitarian team. After all, in five of their games, nine players have logged at least 10 minutes. But make no mistakes: the Badgers belong to Kyle Black, Tamara Moore and Jessie Stomski. These three co-captains account for more than 65 percent of Wisconsin’s points. Unquestionably, once the Big Ten season starts on Dec. 28th, the Badgers’ fortunes will hinge on the quality of UW’s Big Three.
It could be said that the Badgers as a team play more harmoniously than any recent squad. Indeed, the players sound genuine in professing the unselfish dedication of themselves and their teammates. But you’ll rarely hear shouts of discord emanating from any team that begins a season 8-1. The Badgers’ mettle shouldn’t be judged by the attitudes they exhibit during a winning streak. Better to wait until they lose a few games. Then they’ll reveal their true character.
While the Badgers seem to have overachieved so far this season, according to their players they haven’t even played their best game yet. Stomski reiterates that she hasn’t shot particularly well so far (her shooting percentage currently stands at 49.7 percent). UW’s opponents grabbed more rebounds in five of the nine games, and the Badgers have just begun to reverse an early-season turnover problem that once lifted their turnover average above 20 giveaways per game.
With the improvements the team is making, the probability of postseason play seems likely. However, this doesn’t equal success. Since the tournament started in 1995, Wisconsin has never won a second-round game. But if the Badgers continue to play with the same intensity that allowed them to overwhelm then-No. 10 N.C. State by 19 on Saturday, well, seventh-ranked Purdue probably won’t look so unbeatable anymore.
These early victories over top teams have lifted UW in the polls. Wisconsin’s performance has certainly convinced some of the coaches who vote in the USA Today poll: After starting the season as the poll’s 47th-leading vote getter, the Badgers climbed to No. 19 in the rankings released Monday. And according to Palm’s website, Wisconsin’s record and schedule strength combine to rank it as the ninth-best team in the nation.
UW will take this experience and confidence into its conference play. The Badgers will start their Big Ten season three days after Christmas against Purdue, a team they last defeated in 1998. During winter break, the Badgers will also face Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois and Minnesota ? more than half of their conference schedule. By the time classes resume, the UW will have a clearer picture of how its season will finish.
Until then, they’ll have to take comfort in their impressive start.
