2015-16 UW Badger Basketball Discussion Thread

[TroyD92]

http://thevictorylapblog.com/2015/03/th ... in-badger/

Falls in line with the stuff I heard. Last time I talked to the guy was mid Feb. Obviously, none of it will be officially confirmed by anyone.

It's really frustrating to read that a kid just couldn't get into school but it is what it is. I have heard he only got a 13 ACT as well from a source independent of this board and that's pathetic. I got a 28 and I didn't even give a ****. I just wish we had another 6'10" - 7' recruit lined up to come in because Happ might end up playing the 5 next year. That worries me

Although I guess an incoming freshman wouldn't be able to do much anyway

I got a 22 and I was still hungover. I don't know whos bright idea it was to schedule ACT's on a Saturday morning.

[On_Wisconsin]

http://thevictorylapblog.com/2015/03/th ... in-badger/

Falls in line with the stuff I heard. Last time I talked to the guy was mid Feb. Obviously, none of it will be officially confirmed by anyone.

It's really frustrating to read that a kid just couldn't get into school but it is what it is. I have heard he only got a 13 ACT as well from a source independent of this board and that's pathetic. I got a 28 and I didn't even give a ****. I just wish we had another 6'10" - 7' recruit lined up to come in because Happ might end up playing the 5 next year. That worries me

Although I guess an incoming freshman wouldn't be able to do much anyway

I got a 22 and I was still hungover. I don't know whos bright idea it was to schedule ACT's on a Saturday morning.

I know someone who took it stoned and got a 33 lol

[trwi7]

http://thevictorylapblog.com/2015/03/th ... in-badger/

Falls in line with the stuff I heard. Last time I talked to the guy was mid Feb. Obviously, none of it will be officially confirmed by anyone.

I feel like JS commenters moved over to that blog for that article.

[Licensed to Il]

I thought UW would have been the best choice for Stone, but it is not my decision, and I wish him the best.

Looks like its back to watching Badger teams that can defend the perimeter but have a candy ass big man in the middle.

[th87]

I wonder how much the perception of the "boring" system had to do with it as well. There's still this stereotype that the Badgers play slow, defensive, low-scoring ball (Reggie Miller kept bringing it up), when in reality, they're not married to any such philosophy, particularly recently.

[Thunder Muscle]

I wonder how much the perception of the "boring" system had to do with it as well. There's still this stereotype that the Badgers play slow, defensive, low-scoring ball (Reggie Miller kept bringing it up), when in reality, they're not married to any such philosophy, particularly recently.

They were the 3rd slowest team in the NCAAs this year.

[Buck_Bag34]

Heard Matt Thomas at Iowa State is looking to transfer. I'd take him with that last scholarship this year.


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[On_Wisconsin]

Heard Matt Thomas at Iowa State is looking to transfer. I'd take him with that last scholarship this year.

For what it's worth I go to HS in La Crosse and I'd be surprised if Thomas would come to Madison. I would love it if he did but it would surprise me. A Koenig/Thomas backcourt was a dream of mine.

[LUKE23]

Thomas would have to sit a year so that would only be a one year tandem. He'd be a great fit though.

[JayMKE]

http://thevictorylapblog.com/2015/03/th ... in-badger/

Falls in line with the stuff I heard. Last time I talked to the guy was mid Feb. Obviously, none of it will be officially confirmed by anyone.

I feel like JS commenters moved over to that blog for that article.

lol was thinking the same thing

got a good chuckle out of the people there saying Stone should sue Brenna Ryan

[Bernman]

The Thomas transfer would be a half season too late.

Also, it doesn't solve our problem at center. To possibly do that we're looking at grad transfers when they surface, or left daydreaming about landing one of the top remaining center recruits, like Stephen Zimmerman for example.

But if Dekker leaves, Matt Thomas would be a viable option for replacing his scholarship.

[WRau1]

Badgers should import a foreigner to play center.

[Bernman]

I love all these fan theories. "He's too dumb to play here!" "It's the Under Armour connection!" "He wants to play right away and Bo wanted to redshirt him!"

I suppose it's entirely impossible that maybe...just maybe...he liked the idea of playing somewhere else better. From reading these reactions you would think that no top Wisconsin recruit has ever gone to an out of state school.

You do realize there was info academics were an issue for months, all the while it was believed he'd still end up at UW, right?

And Jeff Goodman is a national reporter with cred who brought up the Under Armor affiliation.

The only thing you'd have a point about is the sour grapes about his ability, but I haven't seen much. I still project him to be really good as a player.

The dismissive nature about not receiving his signature from some surrounds the rationalization that we'd only have received one year of his services anyway, as opposed to 4 with the average one. Which to a degree is true, although he'd have made us much better next year, then maybe bridged a gap to boot, so I don't think it's all that compelling of a reason to now be flippant he didn't come here. Make no mistake about it, this was probably a big loss for the program.

[MikeIsGood]

Few things:

Sucks about Stone. I don't think we'll ever really know what happened for sure. There will be people claiming to be on the inside refuting each other, as is always the case. I might trust one of my "trusted sources" that I know has program connections, but I haven't heard anything. Either way it doesn't really matter to me at this point - it doesn't feel any better that we lost out on him.

If you're making a historical list of strictly the best UW players at each position, Tucker cannot be left off in any way, shape, or form. He's the all-time leading scorer in school history and he was a Naismith runner-up. He's in the starting 5.

On Dekker, I think some are getting a little too emotional or defensive in regards to his "detractors" (as if anyone honestly doesn't like him or want him to be great, anyway). He's been playing better the past few weeks and that's great. He's been our best player overall in the tournament thus far, and that's even better. Doesn't change the shortcomings that many discussed earlier this season and that have sometimes shown even fully healthy. Let's not pretend anyone actually thinks he's a talentless hack; he needs to be assertive and engaged, and it's just about as simple as that. Regardless of all of this, as pointed out, I think it's highly likely he is gone after this year anyway. I think he has very good pro potential and don't think he will discernibly increase his stock by staying another year.

Sure would be nice for Vitto to have a Jordan Taylor-esque turnaround over this offseason. No matter what improvement he might make, I still think we have a damn good team next year (even without a center...). I agree that it would be nice to explore

On Wisconsin...and all that. I'm nervous, so trying to not think too much about the game today until 5:09.

[Bernman]

Well, as far as fans out of this base, there were assertions Sam was the most overrated player they've ever seen, and the weakest link in the starting lineup. Both notions are downright ridiculous.

In this base there is definitely over the top anger with him too (open letter to him on Badger Nation) when he has an off game here or there offensively, and people ignore his excellent defense and rebounding. He still is the #2 scorer on a Final Four squad with potential to win the national championship, while being efficient at almost a ts % of 60, and you have people suggesting he's not a good defender when he's versatile as hell and shut down Hield, Winslow, Gordon, etc. Hell, ask the King about his defense.

In or out of the base, I don't think opinions of him align with reality because of ppgz and more advanced hype than usual. He was expected to be a savior. As is he's a key player on teams achieving more than ever in modern history at UW. He should have been 1st Team All B1G. You can be annoyed when he has an off game, or about certain aspects of his game like shooting, as you can with anybody, but from a macro perspective he doesn't deserve the flack he receives. If his name was Andy Kowske he'd be an all-time favorite at this program.

[xTitan]

The Thomas transfer would be a half season too late.

Also, it doesn't solve our problem at center. To possibly do that we're looking at grad transfers when they surface, or left daydreaming about landing one of the top remaining center recruits, like Stephen Zimmerman for example.

But if Dekker leaves, Matt Thomas would be a viable option for replacing his scholarship.

UW will have several holes moving forward, someone at the 2&3 spots opposite Koenig and Hayes, I realize Happ will be given one of those spots but everyone is unproven. I doubt Thomas goes to UW, ironically MU might be where he ends up if he were to come back to the state.

[Johnlac1]

I love all these fan theories. "He's too dumb to play here!" "It's the Under Armour connection!" "He wants to play right away and Bo wanted to redshirt him!"

I suppose it's entirely impossible that maybe...just maybe...he liked the idea of playing somewhere else better. From reading these reactions you would think that no top Wisconsin recruit has ever gone to an out of state school.

UW has missed many top prospects over the years going back to Fred Brown, John Johnson, Joe Wolf and many others. The Badgers will survive losing Stone as well.

[Turk Nowitzki]

I guess this is another item on the list of things you pay for when running a clean program at an academic institution with actual standards.

[Johnlac1]

My son played against Stone, so I've seen him play some. Honestly, I always had visions of Rashard Griffith with this young man. I hope I'm wrong but he appeared like a really big fish in a pretty small bowl to me. Now I know his ranking was off the charts, and those guys know a lot more about him than I do, but that was my basketball gut! It will be interesting to see what happens. BTW, my son also played again Dekker, and I knew that he was legit immediately, even though is was also in a small bowl!

I saw Stone in a game this year on the internet plus the state tourneys the last several years. He definitely has big time talent. My only concern was the lackadaisical way he seemed to play at times.
In the game on the internet where his team was getting killed by an out of state school, he seemed to loaf up and down the court.
Which is one reason I dislike watching the small high schools play in the tournament. Usually the talent level is too thin to provide competition for players like Stone.

[Johnlac1]

Well 'Do is WAY above Dekk. He was 1st team All-American. Dekk was great last night but lets be reasonable here.

Someone needs to give Gasser his due. He was great. Both defensively AND stepping up to hit the biggest shot of the game. If he can bottle up McConnell it would be enormous. Dude is just such a great glue piece.

I was NOT impressed with Arizona last night until the last 6 minutes. They should have been down 10 going into that last 6. If Hollis-Jefferson doesn't get right by Sat I think Bucky has a clear advantage.

Tucker had a better collegiate career, but Dekker's pro potential is higher. Tucker didn't last long in the NBA. Dekker is an athletic 6'9 player who can probably play sf and pf. He has to improve his outside shot, but with some help from shooting experts, his ability to hit the three ball will make him even more valuable.

Well I assumed when we had guys on the list that didn't even sniff the NBA that that was what the list was. Alando was taken at the very end of Rd 1 and scored 211 career points in 3 seasons. Pretty sure Dekk can beat that.

If Kaminsky hadn't turned out to be an all time great Badger, and Dekker hadn't twisted his ankle, Dekker's ppg this year would probably be quite better the last two years. Not to take anything away from Tucker, but circumstances dictate who scores a lot and who doesn't.