[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]With a mature and experienced team, University of Wisconsin men's basketball head coach Bo Ryan has had the opportunity to utilize many different lineups, some of which happen to be rather small.
Many times, Ryan will put in a lineup with 6-foot-7 Marcus Landry as the tallest Badger on the court. This is due to the Badgers' versatility and strong guard play.
"It depends on the other team, too," Ryan said in regard to his lineup choices. "There are a lot of factors that determine what five are on the floor at any particular time. I've never penalized players for being big or for being small or for being slow.
"If they can perform, they can play."
Kung-Fu Fighter
Landry has earned his minutes off the bench this year by playing tough defense for the Badgers. In big games, such as Jan. 9's 72-69 victory over Ohio State, Landry has been able to control opposing centers who are much bigger than him.
Ryan attributes Landry's defensive success to the way he positions himself against the opposing offense.
"He uses his core, from the knees to the chest, really well," Ryan said. "He would be a good person in jujitsu or judo. My players know I talk a lot about playing off of the other guys, not just your own teammates, and to know how to counter balance size and speed.
"Marcus, I think, would be a good judo guy."
National Spotlight
For the past eight years, the Badgers have made the NCAA tournament. However, they have not experienced the national recognition that they have this season.
Wisconsin climbed as high as No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches' polls, recently falling to No. 4 following last Wednesday's 71-66 loss at Indiana. But with the national spotlight always comes the worry of its affect on players, particularly senior forward Alando Tucker, a National Player of the Year candidate.
"I told them, don't do anything that will take you away from your studies and what you normally do," Ryan said about the media attention. "I think our guys have been really mature about it, but then again, you would have to ask them. We still have to take care of business with the everyday practices."
Butch on the Boards
Junior forward Brian Butch's stats have been up and down all year. However, one statistic that has remained consistent the whole year is his rebounding.
Butch is now ranked seventh in the Big Ten in total rebounds with 49 offensive rebounds and 106 defensive rebounds while averaging a total of 6.5 rebounds per game.
According to Ryan, Butch simply knows what it takes to be a good rebounder.
"You have to be hungry for the ball," Ryan said. "Being a good rebounder means you have to have a good nose for it, you have to be hungry and you have to make a move."