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Wisconsin Badgers (Last Year: 24-9, 13-5 in Big Ten)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Keaton Nankivil (Sr)/Jared Berggren (So)/Evan Anderson (Fr)/J.P. Gavinski (Sr)
PF: Jon Leuer (Sr)/Mike Bruesewitz (So)
SF: Tim Jarmusz (Sr)/Ryan Evans (So)/Duje Dukan (Fr)
SG: Rob Wilson (Jr)/Ben Brust (Fr)
PG: Jordan Taylor (Jr)/Josh Gasser (Fr)/Wquinton Smith (Sr)
Gone: PG-Trevon Hughes, SG-Jason Bohannon, C-Ian Markholf (quit team)
2010-11 Outlook:
Since Bo Ryan took over in 2001, the Badgers have never finished worse than fourth in the conference standings and have captured a pair of Big Ten titles. Still, people underestimate Wisconsin heading into every season.
This year, Ryan must replace his senior backcourt of Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes. Stepping to the forefront will be junior point guard Jordan Taylor who saw time in the starting lineup when Jon Leuer was injured last season. It should be a seamless transition to Taylor running the show, and you could argue that he could be more effective than Hughes.
The rest of the backcourt is a bit of an uncertainty. Rob Wilson figures to take over at the two for Bohannon. Wilson has yet to find his niche is Ryan’s swing offense, but brings added athleticism and is also a solid shooter.
Depth is a bit of an unknown with freshmen Josh Gasser and Ben Brust. Ryan has said that Gasser does not look like a freshman throughout camp and that Brust is the quickest player he has coached in terms of coming off screens. They will need to provide some immediate help off the bench, and do not be surprised to see walk-on Wquinton Smith get some minutes as well because of his tenacious ability to defend on the ball.
It should be no surprise that the Badgers have a bevy of big men who can all shoot the rock. Leading that group is Leuer who was absolutely raved about during his time working out with the USA Select team this summer. He suffered a setback last season when he missed nine games due to a wrist injury, but Leuer’s versatility makes him a nightmare of a matchup. At 6-10, he can take slower defenders off the bounce or post up smaller opponents with a variety of moves on the block. He also has a high release on his jump shot that he can get off at any time. Leuer is on the verge off a breakout season and my pick to be named Big Ten Player of the Year.
There is plenty of size to go along with Leuer. Keaton Nankivil will return to the starting lineup but needs to play with more intensity and consistency. Six-foot-10 Jarred Berggeren appears to be healthy after an injury-riddled 2009-10 season and is the team’s best post-up player according to Ryan. Plus, he can also step out and knock down jump shots. Mike Brusewitz has a sweet new, red curly fro and brings energy off the bench. Six-foot-10 freshman Evan Anderson is more physical than Ryan anticipated but could redshirt this season as minutes will be hard to come by up front.
On the wing, Tim Jarmusz has had a disappointing career at Wisconsin, but battled injuries a year ago. He is the consummate role player in that he can defend and knock down open shots, but that is about it. Sophomore Ryan Evans is undoubtedly the team’s best athlete but still developing as a fundamental basketball player. He can play either the three or the four.
Wisconsin will be in the mix in the Big Ten; it’s just the Bo Ryan way. They have never missed a trip to the NCAA Tournament under Ryan either and that streak will remain intact. But in failing to get past the first weekend in four of the past five tourneys, the postseason success is what has somewhat held this program back.
Player to Watch: Jordan Taylor, PG
Taylor was pretty much a starter for the Badgers despite being their sixth man for most of last season as he averaged nearly 30 minutes per game. I think he will be an upgrade over Hughes as the full-time point guard due to his incredible 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Taylor may not be the defender or outside shooter that Hughes was, but makes better decisions with the ball and has a much better shot selection. His backcourt experience will be crucial for a relatively inexperienced group.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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