2008 Wisconsin Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 14, 2008 by Luke Knight

Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Badgers went 31-5 and 16-2 in Big Ten play last season, but most will remember the 73-56 beat down that Davidson put on them in the regional semifinals last year. Wisconsin has won at least 30 games in each of the last two seasons and Ryan has established the Badgers as the cream of the Big Ten crop. Last season Ryan had to replace three starters, including the Big Ten Player of the Year, but that didn’t stop the Badgers from winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament title. Bo Ryan must once again replace three key seniors. The Badgers return 4 players who averaged over 25 minutes, including two with more than 30 minutes. The Badgers are +5000 odds to win the NCAA Championship this season at BetUS.

Despite the loss of Brian Butch and Greg Stiemsma from the frontcourt, Wisconsin could again boast a four player rotation for the two frontcourt spots. Sophomore Jon Leuer must become stronger and more consistent on defense and sophomore Keaton Nankivil must blossom as the staff anticipates. Seniors Marcus Landry and Joe Krabbenhoft will be the stalwarts of the frontcourt this season. Both started all 36 games last season. Landry should be the Badgers’ best interior defender and interior scorer. Landry practically disappeared on offense in the NCAA tournament where he made just 4-of-15 shots. Krabbenhoft will be relied upon to contribute across the board. Krabbenhoft was second on the team in assists and rebounds, third in steals, and sixth in scoring last season. Leuer is a skilled offensive threat who can drop bombs from behind the arc. He made 5-of-5 3-pointers in the Big Ten opener scoring 25 points. Leuer’s struggles on the defensive end decreased his minutes so he must get better. Nankivil also struggled defensively last season, but showed signs of improvement late in the season. He provides Wisconsin with needed baseline muscle.

Juniors Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon will be the starters in the backcourt from Day 1. Hughes blossomed last year, starting 34 games, after a quiet freshman season. He can be a terrific on-ball defender and is capable of breaking down defenders off the dribble, plus when he gets into the lane he can score or set up his teammates for easy baskets. Bohannon was known as a spot-up jump shooter as a freshman and his jumper remains his number one weapon, but he expanded his game to get to the basket more consistently. He is also a better defender than his reputation suggests. Bohannon was the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year last season. Sophomore Tim Jarmusz is the early leader to emerge as the Badgers’ third guard. He is a solid outside threat and a capable defender. Krabbenhoft can also play some minutes at guard depending on the match-ups. The Badgers will also have two freshmen competing for playing time. Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball Jordan Taylor is a gifted point guard who knows how to score. If Taylor’s defense is solid and he can limit his mistakes, he could back up Hughes. Robert Wilson, a wing who is solid defensively, could also get some playing time. Bo Ryan doesn’t play freshman unless they can defend, so that will be a major plus for Wilson.

Final Analysis

The critics of Bo Ryan point to the fact that Wisconsin has exited the post-season earlier than the teams expected in each of the last two seasons, the second round two seasons ago and the Sweet 16 last season. Despite that, Bo Ryan has been impressive in Madison, as he has an overall mark of 173-60 and 84-30 in the Big Ten in seven seasons. He has finished no lower than 4th in league play, with three Big Ten titles and two second-place finishes. There is no reason to think this season will be any different. We agree with the NCAA basketball odds on this one as we see Wisconsin competing for a Big Ten title. BetUS has the Badgers at +500 to win the Big Ten conference this season. Wisconsin should be virtually certain to get a NCAA Tournament bid this season, but how far they go will depend on the strides the returners have made.

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