OT: Badger Basketball 2014-2015

[ReasonablySober]

ESPN's article for top Wooden contenders features Frank the Tank in the number one spot.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/99973/im-excited-to-see-wooden-award-race

He isn't even the best Wooden Award contender on his own team.

[Bernman]

Well, in thinking about it a little, Sam didn't grow 2 inches in just a few months. More realistically half or more of that growth occurred during the season. By the end, he certainly wasn't 6'7" matching up with Randle and Gordon. That's one reason he could surprisingly match-up with them, especially Randle. And Sam by the eye test didn't look near 2 inches shorter. So Sam won't improve from last season to this one on two inches of growth. It will be off significantly less than that.

But the flip-side is growing during the season can explain Sam's shakiness on offense. You need to readjust your muscle memory with repetition. That can really impact your jumper in the interim, which was uncharacteristically off. His handle seemed a little shakier too. He was more reticent to drive and have the ball in his hands for extended periods. So just by adapting to his newish size I think that's where he can make his real improvement from last season to next, marrying the offense, defense, and rebounding we've seen for extended periods during his career, while adding some experience.

[Ill-yasova]

ESPN's article for top Wooden contenders features Frank the Tank in the number one spot.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/99973/im-excited-to-see-wooden-award-race

He isn't even the best Wooden Award contender on his own team.

That's debatable. Kaminsky is the best post player I've seen for UW since Wilkinson and he has a serious size and shooting range advantage over Wilkinson too. I have no idea how his game will translate to the NBA but he is a match-up nightmare in college.

[tski1972]

it appears Dekker has filled out over the last 3 years...

[RiotPunch]

He looks like Dolph Lundgren in that picture. Mac, Charlie and Dennis would be proud.

[bullox]

Yeah there was a reddit topic about that picture and the general consensus is that he's next in line for the 'Tough Russian' role in movies.

[El Duderino]

He looks like Dolph Lundgren in that picture. Mac, Charlie and Dennis would be proud.

I thought he looked a little like Vanilla Ice.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/501454347041902592[/tweet]

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

If Wisconsin wasn't after Stone, Ellenson, and that Sharma kid I could see them making a run at Illikainen, but I honestly don't even think he's on their radar right now.

I wish they would've offered him. He's a very good player IMO.

Figured you might be interested to know that Wisconsin has been in communication with Illikainen and have watched him play, according to this interview.

Wisconsin has offered. I wonder if this has anything to do with their chances of landing Sharma, Ellenson, and Stone.

[Kerb Hohl]

I'm a pessimistic Badger fan (for recruiting purposes) and didn't think they'd get any of them...well, I thought they'd get Sharma but it is looking like Stone 30% now (higher than before), Sharma 60%, Ellenson 5% just from what I see. I'm assuming they want 2 of these PF/C guys and now they are thinking they may just get 1 of those 3 and they are reaching out to several other PF/C types.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Minnesota just got their second 4-star guard commit so the Jarvis Johnson sweepstakes just got more interesting. He's still reportedly a top target for the staff but it is hard to imagine him picking Minnesota over Wisconsin with Minnesota already having two talented commits at his position.

[Nebula1]

I'm hoping to see Dekker, Hayes and Kaminsky starting together in a bigger lineup next season.

[Bernman]

and Gasser at the sg spot.

The pg spot should be up for grabs, although I assume Tre will get it on seniority. But Koenig deserves it if he translates the d he showed in high school and becomes more consistent, both things reasonable to expect from a player making the jump from his frosh to soph year.

Koenig-Gasser-Dekker-Hayes-Kaminsky could be nasty.

[Nebula1]

I'm with you there, Bern. I think Jackson gets the spot with Gasser, but Koenig should absolutely get the opportunity to earn it.

Although it's nice to have Koenig as a reserve with his punch and I expect Dukan to be a bigger bench bump.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Would not be surprised to see Jackson, Koenig, Gasser, Decker, and Kaminsky start. I wouldn't do it, but I could see Bo starting that line up then subbing Jackson for Hayes at the end of the game if they need more size.

[HaroldinGMinor]

I actually wouldn't mind seeing Koenig at PG and Jackson at SG at times. Jackson was a SG coming out of high school and if he's open he can nail the three.

[buckboy]

I'm hoping to see Dekker, Hayes and Kaminsky starting together in a bigger lineup next season.

I'll be shocked if you don't get your wish.

Jackson
Gasser
Dekker
Hayes
Kaminsky

Seems like a 90%+ chance that's the starting 5 barring injury.

[skones]

I'm hoping to see Dekker, Hayes and Kaminsky starting together in a bigger lineup next season.

I'll be shocked if you don't get your wish.

Jackson
Gasser
Dekker
Hayes
Kaminsky

Seems like a 90%+ chance that's the starting 5 barring injury.

My worry with Hayes and Kaminsky both in the starting lineup is the lack of size behind them should foul trouble occur.

[LUKE23]

They will start Hayes. I expect Brown to take a leap and be a viable bench big. Happ will also get PF minutes.

[yoshii8]

That lineup w/ Koenig and Dukan off the bench is going to be fun to watch. Hopefully Vitto Brown and another guard step up this season to shore up the bench.