The Badgers won't thrill any casual basketball fans with their style of play and athleticism but they compete for a Big Ten Championship every year and this year won't be any different. The Badgers lost key starters, Jon Leuer, and Keaton Nankivil from last years team that made the Sweet Sixteen. This year Jordan Taylor will look to continue his late surge he had last season but will need help from others if they plan on having any kind of success.
The Wisconsin basketball team split into Red and White teams and scrimmaged for two twenty minute halves with a running clock. Badger fans got their first look at new freshmen, and transfers, as well as the improved games of returning players. A big question mark for the Badgers this year will be their front court play. I was looking forward to watching redshirt junior Jared Berggeren and was pleasantly surprised by his play. He looked stronger from last season and looked to assert himself in the post from the beginning. After leading the team in three point shooting percentage last year, I knew he had the outside game but could tell he has been working on his post game during the offseason. I am excited to see what he could bring to the team this year. With the addition of Mike Bruesewitz, who will have to become more of a scorer as opposed to his role as garbage man last season, Berggeren will need help at the power forward spot if he gets into foul trouble. Right now that player is redshirt freshman Evan Anderson and he did not look like he is ready for Big Ten play. Unfortunately, he looked like the same player I watched play at the Kohl center as a high school junior during the State Championships three years ago. Ryan Evans surprisingly showed improvement from last season. With his size (6-6, 210) and athleticism, he should have been playing the past few years but just couldn't seem to find his niche on the team. Although he had 14 points in the scrimmage, I am still not convinced. Mr. Basketball in the state of Iowa and the top ranked freshman in the 2011 class, 6-8 forward Jarrod Uthoff should play right away. He seemed a bit hesitant throughout the scrimmage but that was expected and if he gains some confidence during the first couple weeks, he could surprise a lot of Badger fans as a consistent scorer. He has the perfect game for a Bo Ryan style offense, with his size and ability to take defenders off the dribble as well as post up on the block. Similar to most forwards at UW, he should be able to knock down the open jump shot with his high release.
Preseason All-American Jordan Taylor highlights the backcourt and didn't seem to lose a step from last season, knocking down his first three of the game and finishing with 16 points. The surprise of the afternoon came from sophomore Ben Brust. The guard looked to have the most improved game from last season and was able to score in a variety of ways. He is a pure shooter who clearly likes the three point line but displayed a deadly first step, getting to the rim with ease and showing the ability to stop for the mid range jumper as well. In a very deep backcourt, I wasn't expecting Brust to get much playing time but after his 22 point performance, I don't see how Bo doesn't give him a shot. It seems as though Coach Ryan will stick with the Gasser, Taylor backcourt to start the season but if Gasser only contributes 5 points like he did Sunday, Brust should be the next option. Look for the Badgers to split the ball handling duties between Gasser and Taylor, with 5-11 freshman George Marshall coming off the bench to relieve them as well. Marshall was also finding his way around the offense, something that was expected from the rest of the freshman, but he could be a key contributor off the bench to help manage the offense. Although it is early, Marshall has the skill to develop into a successful point guard over the next couple of years that the Badgers have a knack for producing year in and out. I am still waiting on Rob Wilson to break out as well. He had an encouraging year as a sophomore but after a dismal 2010-11 campaign, the senior is looking to get some playing time in the guard/forward spot. He has the size to guard multiple positions but will have to prove that before he is given anything.
Overall, the Badgers proved the depth of their backcourt will be one of the best in the nation. With the combination of a star player in Jordan Taylor and what should be another solid defensive team, Bo Ryan's squad should compete for the Big Ten Championship once again. We must take this scrimmage with a grain of salt, seeing as they were playing against themselves, but I can't help but get excited about the potential contributors from Uthoff to Brust to Marshall. The Badgers first exhibition game will take place on Saturday, November 5 against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at the Kohl Center.
No comments:
Post a Comment