Following an easy 79-46 win over Grambling State Saturday and a statement win against perennial hoops powerhouse Duke, 73-69 Wednesday, the men’s basketball team made its debut in the AP poll, coming in at No. 20.
Ryan Praises Hughes
Senior guard Trevon Hughes was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his play against Duke and Grambling State. Hughes put up a career-best 26 points in the win over Duke. He was also able to add two rebounds, a block and a steal, with no turnovers. Hughes had good numbers against Grambling, putting up 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
Hughes leads the Badgers in scoring, averaging 16.7 points per game. He also ranks third on the team in rebounds, pulling down 4.7 per game.
However, Ryan said he also takes a lot of stock in Hughes’ leadership off the court.
“What I look at is the everyday part of what he does, not just where the spotlight shines, because that’s where you find out where your true leaders are,” Ryan said. “He’s done it in the weight room, (and) this has been his best year, according to every coach that’s been involved with him. This is his time.”
Badgers Make AP Top 25
Wisconsin, which remained unranked in the AP Top 25 poll through the first three weeks of the season, finally made its appearance on the list when it was released yesterday. The Badgers are No. 20 in the nation, having helped knock Duke from its perch at No. 6 to No. 8.
Last season, Wisconsin began the year ranked No. 25 and remained there until it was replaced by Marquette in the December 1 polls. Wisconsin finished last season unranked.
Ryan does not seem to think the rankings will affect the way his players think or play.
“These guys are ranked in high school now,” Ryan said. “Rankings are something that they’re so familiar with at this stage, I don’t know if our guys would know one way or the other if we were or weren’t ranked…they always know the next team wants to beat us and we want to beat the next team, so let’s move on.”
Ryan Closes in on Win 200 as a Badger
In his 26th year of coaching college basketball, all of which has been within the state of Wisconsin, Ryan is just seven wins shy of attaining his 200th as head coach of the Badgers. Ryan started at UW in 2001, and his record stands at 193-76 at Wisconsin, with an impressive 94-38 career record versus Big Ten teams.
Ryan downplayed the coming accomplishment.
“Anytime they throw numbers up…it’s a team sport, and if you say we’re going for 200, I just think of the first practice here, getting the job in April…and all of the things that have transpired since every once in a while will flash in there,” Ryan said. “Other than that, it’s just good memories and fine young men and people you get to work with.
“It’s all about the relationships and the people you had a chance to be with…the experiences around those ‘W’s’ is what it’s all about.”
His career record is also approaching the milestone 600th win, as he stands at 576 wins with just 176 losses. With a winning percentage of .766, Ryan sits behind just Roy Williams for the highest among active coaches with at least 500 wins.
