Wisconsin Badgers 2008 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Wisconsin Badgers - Big Ten (29-4, 16-2)

Seed: #3 - Midwest Region

RPI: 12

Big Wins: 12/29 at Texas (67-66), 2/13 at Indiana (68-66), 2/28 Michigan State (57-42)

Bad Losses: 12/8 Marquette (76-81), 1/26 at Purdue (56-60), 2/9 Purdue (67-72)

Last NCAA Appearance: 2007, Second Round loss to UNLV

Coach: Bo Ryan (8-6 in 6 NCAA appearances)

Probable Wisconsin Starters:

• Michael Flowers, Senior, Guard, 9.4 ppg, 2.7 apg, 3.7 rpg
• Trevon Hughes, Sophomore, Guard, 11.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, 3.2 rpg
• Joe Krabbenhoft, Junior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 2.7 apg, 6.4 rpg
• Marcus Landry, Junior, Forward, 11.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg
• Brian Butch, Senior, Center, 12.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg

Key Wisconsin Roleplayers:

• Jason Bohannon, Sophomore, Guard, 8.1 ppg, 1.3 apg
• Jon Leuer, Freshman, Forward, 3.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg
• Greg Stiemsma, Senior, Center, 3.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg

Why The Badgers Can Surprise:
A Bo Ryan coached team is always fundamentally sound and this year’s squad is no different. The flash might be gone from last year, but this is a typical Badger team that actually plays as a team. The turnover numbers are solid and the team does a decent job of sharing the ball.

The Badgers do not really have a go-to-guy, but Trevon Hughes, Marcus Landry and Brian Butch are not bad options by any means. Hughes is the guard who will take the big shots on the perimeter. Landry can hit the outside shot too, but the 6-7 power forward does most of his scoring around the basket. Butch has developed into a great, versatile big man during his long career in Madison and leads the team in points and rebounds. Wisconsin has a player they feel comfortable making the big play everywhere on the floor and that is a superb way to counterattack anything a defense can throw at them.

Why The Badgers Can Disappoint:
It is that lack of a big time scorer that can also be a bad thing in March. Sometimes it is better to have one player who can make a play when the team needs it. There is not an Alando Tucker or Kammron Tyalor to do that this year. The team also lacks quality depth up front. After Butch and Landry, Jon Leuer and Greg Stiemsma are the only big guys left. Leuer is more of a system player, a tall guy who spends most of his time on the perimeter so if Butch goes out, Leuer does not have the tools to replace him. That leaves Stiemsma, who has the girth to battle in the paint, but the senior has yet to reach his full potential.

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Who To Watch:
The difference between a good and great tournament for the Badgers will be the play of everybody after the big three. Michael Flowers brings some senior leadership to the backcourt and can be an explosive scorer in spurts. Joe Krabbenhoft, a 6-7 wing, will do a little of everything. Not only is he a decent scorer, he is second on the team in rebounding and first inassists. Krabbenhoft may not get the recognition of some of his teammates, but he holds this team together. Jason Bohannon has filled the sharpshooter off the bench role quite well and can add instant offense when the team is struggling.

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 68.2 (190th in nation, 5th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 54.3 (1, 1)

Field-Goal Percentage: 45.5 (106, 4)

Field-Goal Defense: 38.3 (5, 1)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (239, 9)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.8 (140, 4)

Free-Throw Percentage: 70.5 (125, 5)

Rebound Margin: 5.9 (20, 3)

Assists Per Game: 13.1 (176, 8)

Turnovers Per Game: 12.3 (28, 2)

Joel’s Bracket Says: Second Round loss to USC

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