2015-16 UW Badger Basketball Discussion Thread

[Bernman]

They were at least able to step up and make a play here and there for every obvious sign of nerves, i.e.: dropping balls, missing layups, a # of ft's, fouling guys when they shouldn't, etc. That Showalter aggressive drive after they had run some clock, Brown 3's with half a look at it, and Happ steals stand out. The role players stepped up when the core got tight. HUGE win. TCB and we're in. We might even be afforded a slip-up now.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I think it's funny how people who like college ball but hates the NBA always wanna talk about the terrible reffing in the NBA. College refs are just as bad/crooked when it comes to favoring the top teams.

These are the same people who think there is better shooting and defense in college.

[Iheartfootball]

Best regular season win in program history?

Michael Flowers @ UT is another contender.

Program has been around for over 100 years? I doubt it.

Great win though.

[Bernman]

We should have stormed their court.

It makes this all that much more satisfying given how Stone mocked us after we lost the title, and then acted like a baby in this game because he was losing to us. A win over Maryland was the most important one this year outside of the NCAA tourney, and the guys who helped pull it off deserve a lot of adulation once they return to Madison.

[Wooderson]

Program has been around for over 100 years? I doubt it.

Great win though.

A large chunk of the team wasn't all that competitive. Plus this could play a big role in getting Gard the job which would shape the future of the program.

[Ill-yasova]

OT: the Badgers play by play on the radio calls Showalter "Showie" and that is dumb.

He's been called that since grade school

That is a dumb name.

I think it's a fantastic name!

-Ron Roenicke

[RiotPunch]

Well, that was awesome.

Gard making one hell of a case to get a long term gig. Very impressive turnaround after the slow start.

And Showy is a great nickname, get bent, Jake!

[RiotPunch]

To anyone who bad mouthed Vitto Brown since the beginning of the season, shame on you.

I did. I thought Gard did an excellent job of tightening the leash on his shots.

Suddenly, guy can play on offense. He has blossomed. Love it.

I've been waiting for this version of Vitto. I remember watching his HS highlights and being more excited about him than Nigel... Boy, was I wrong, but he is finally playing with some confidence out there. He is quite skilled for a man his size when he's not a nervous wreck. Hope he continues this good play--he just might be the key to this year's team's tourney success.

[Ill-yasova]

I was definitely frustrated with Brown earlier this season when he kept forcing up jumpers with limited success. I'm very much enjoying this version of Brown right now though.

[Bernman]

Well, that was awesome.

Gard making one hell of a case to get a long term gig. Very impressive turnaround after the slow start.

And Showy is a great nickname, get bent, Jake!

Who is this Jake character? Jake Layman? It would be one thing he is actually right about. It's as cheesy as it gets. Guess I should get bent then for observing that.

With Vitto I think it was more reps. He didn't start playing until later. So now he's extended his range, and understands what to do more, although there's still questionable decisions he makes often times if he's not in position to just catch and shoot.

[trwi7]

Facebook comment on ESPN. Badgers win by the same score as Stone's ACT. Ouch.

[midranger]

Awesome night.

[trwi7]

Lunardi hasn't updated his bracket since Thursday but Palm updated his today. We went from first 4 out to a 10 seed in the West Region opening against Baylor in Raleigh.

That West bracket

1. Iowa
2. Miami
3. Oregon
4. Iowa State
5. Duke
6. Texas
7. Baylor
8. Texas A&M
9. Texas Tech
10. Wisconsin
11. Florida
12. Wichita State
13. South Dakota State
14. UAB
15. Belmont
16. Montana

[Bernman]

It would be hilarious if we played and beat Oregon again. Their fans must hate us.

If we hammered Baylor a 2nd time in 3 years, their response wouldn't be much more favorable.

That would be a great bracket, with significant chances for a run, and potential for revenge against Duke, but it's too far away to put stock in bracket specifics, beyond us being projected to the tournament. If we do what we're supposed to, we should be in, and avoid the play-in game, which is what we can more control and foresee.

[chonestown]

This has lowkey become one of my favorite Badger squads. Wouldn't have thought that after game 1.

But man, they really could have used Pritzl this year. Backcourt is so threadbare this year.

[HaroldinGMinor]

Incredible about face for this team. I can't believe this is the same group of guys that lost to Western Illinois and UWM. The NCAA Tournament and 4th place or better in the B1G streaks are still on the table after they were dead in the water a month ago. Looking forward to the rest of the season!

[Johnlac1]

To anyone who bad mouthed Vitto Brown since the beginning of the season, shame on you.

I did. I thought Gard did an excellent job of tightening the leash on his shots.

Suddenly, guy can play on offense. He has blossomed. Love it.

I've been waiting for this version of Vitto. I remember watching his HS highlights and being more excited about him than Nigel... Boy, was I wrong, but he is finally playing with some confidence out there. He is quite skilled for a man his size when he's not a nervous wreck. Hope he continues this good play--he just might be the key to this year's team's tourney success.

Maybe it was nerves last year, but it appears to me his shot just looks better than it did last year. Again, lack of playing time and jitters might have caused him problems last year, but it simply looks like he worked on his shot over the off-season.
And it looks like he can make a decent percentage of threes.
Last year the Badgers could put five players on the floor who could hit the three ball. That's after Jackson got hurt and Koenig stepped into the starting spot. But just having four players is great. Now they have that again this year with Brown being able to hit the three.

[Johnlac1]

Happy about the Badgers playing so well lately. I thought for sure they were out of a shot at the tournament. I still wish Thomas and Iverson had developed better. Especially Thomas. Happ, Thomas, and maybe Iverson and one of those big freshman could give the Badgers a very formidable frontcourt in the coming years. Have to pick up some shooting guards though. I hope Pritzl is as good as they say he is.

[KidA24]

Best regular season win in program history?

Michael Flowers @ UT is another contender.

Program has been around for over 100 years? I doubt it.

Great win though.

In my lifetime, and games I can remember, the biggest win Bucky ever had was in '89 over #6 Michigan at the Fieldhouse.

It may not sound like a big deal to anyone who wasn't around then, but it basically led to them making the NIT, which was their first trip to the post season in 42 years.

[Mags FTW]

People were commenting on Reddit how some unlucky #1 seed might get UW as an 8/9, and then Kentucky as a 4.