[Cracked Sidewalks] UW-Madison Preview

[brewcity77]

Badger Hate Week comes early this year. UWM is deep and experienced, but who will lead them? And can Marquette accomplish something they haven't done in over 35 years?

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2019/08/uw-madison-preview.html?m=1

[Stretchdeltsig]

Guard's inability to recruit talent should make for an embarrassing season for rodent fans.

[94Warrior]

Gard walked into a very nice situation.  Now that Happ is gone, this will be Gard’s  first season with ‘his team’.  We shall see, but I’m expecting to see the pitchforks and torches in Madison sooner than later. 
Let the Tony Bennett campaign begin (again!). Of course we know he’ll never go back, but the ’Less than Grateful Red’ hasn’t figured that out yet.

[brewcity77]

So much will come down to Trice & Reuvers. Bo turned guys like that into Jordan Taylor & Jon Leuer types. I'm not convinced Gard has that developmental acumen, but if he's going to try to replicate Bo's on court and recruiting styles, it only works if he can replicate the development as well.

[Its DJOver]

Trice's inconsistencies have already been pointed out, and I'd be interested to learn what percentage of Happs 4.5 assists per game went to Reuvers,  because he always seemed to be the open one after Happ got doubled.  If there's no one to double, there's far fewer good looks for others.

[Jay Bee]

Trice's inconsistencies have already been pointed out, and I'd be interested to learn what percentage of Happs 4.5 assists per game went to Reuvers,  because he always seemed to be the open one after Happ got doubled.  If there's no one to double, there's far fewer good looks for others.

FWIW, approx 55% of Reuvers’ 2FGM were unassisted.

[muguru]

When as much of what you do offensively goes through one player like it did for UW with Happ, and now he's gone...you can't just replace that. I think Davison will start bombing away more than he already did. What will their strength be?? Not sure they will have a true strength this year to be honest. I know many at Buckyville already have them penciled into the tournament, but I just don't see it.

[Its DJOver]

FWIW, approx 55% of Reuvers’ 2FGM were unassisted.

He did shoot over 38% from three on 2.5 attempts per game though.  Just against us he attempted 7, and IIRC, most, if not all, were good looks that were the result of Sam or Joey helping on Happ.  If he's not even getting those good looks as a result of a Happ double team, his Sophomore to Junior jump won't be as significant as the folks in Madison think it will be.

[Uncle Rico]

He did shoot over 38% from three on 2.5 attempts per game though.  Just against us he attempted 7, and IIRC, most, if not all, were good looks that were the result of Sam or Joey helping on Happ.  If he's not even getting those good looks as a result of a Happ double team, his Sophomore to Junior jump won't be as significant as the folks in Madison think it will be.

I fully expect Reuvers to be vastly improved this year.  It’s the Great White Corollary Of Madison

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Madison losing happ kind of reminds me of us losing Henry a few years ago. Some thought there was no way we would improve,  turns out we improved a metric shatton.

The difference of course being that their newbies don't look nearly as good as Markus/Rowdy/Sammy/Katin. So while I don't think the loss of Happ is insurmountable, I also don't think they have the pieces to build on last season. I think they take a small step back and end up in the 7 to 12 seed range.

[Pops Sims]

So much will come down to Trice & Reuvers. Bo turned guys like that into Jordan Taylor & Jon Leuer types. I'm not convinced Gard has that developmental acumen, but if he's going to try to replicate Bo's on court and recruiting styles, it only works if he can replicate the development as well.

UW fan here. Reuvers and King are the key to the season.  If Reuvers improves like he did from freshman to sophomore year, he'll make a difference. King can keep teams from double-teaming Reuvers. Trice doesn't have the "ceiling" the other two have. Davison needs to improve offensively to make a measurable difference.

Some folks theorize Happ was detrimental to the development of their offense while others think he WAS the offense. We'll see soon enough...

[Galway Eagle]

UW fan here. Reuvers and King are the key to the season.  If Reuvers improves like he did from freshman to sophomore year, he'll make a difference. King can keep teams from double-teaming Reuvers. Trice doesn't have the "ceiling" the other two have. Davison needs to improve offensively to make a measurable difference.

Some folks theorize Happ was detrimental to the development of their offense while others think he WAS the offense. We'll see soon enough...

If Davison can't flop anymore he'll need to improve defensively as well

[Spotcheck Billy]

If Davison can't flop anymore he'll need to improve defensively as well

During his 1st 2 seasons it seemed to me that Davison gets the call early in the season but later the refs wise up and call him for a block as much or more than getting the charge call.

[brewcity77]

UW fan here. Reuvers and King are the key to the season.  If Reuvers improves like he did from freshman to sophomore year, he'll make a difference. King can keep teams from double-teaming Reuvers. Trice doesn't have the "ceiling" the other two have. Davison needs to improve offensively to make a measurable difference.

Some folks theorize Happ was detrimental to the development of their offense while others think he WAS the offense. We'll see soon enough...

In the final 14 games, Trice, Reuvers, and King combined for 6 double digit scoring efforts. None of them hit 15 once.

I guess my wonder is if any of them will be able to take that step as none showed the ability to do so down the stretch. If Bo was there I'd have more faith Reuvers would become Leuer and the rest would develop. Hard to know if Gard will be able to replicate that.

[Stretchdeltsig]

In the final 14 games, Trice, Reuvers, and King combined for 6 double digit scoring efforts. None of them hit 15 once.

I guess my wonder is if any of them will be able to take that step as none showed the ability to do so down the stretch. If Bo was there I'd have more faith Reuvers would become Leuer and the rest would develop. Hard to know if Gard will be able to replicate that.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Agree. Gard hasn't shown the ability to coach up mediocre talent like Bo. This could be the rodents worst season since No quit.

[Jay Bee]

In the final 14 games, Trice, Reuvers, and King combined for 6 double digit scoring efforts. None of them hit 15 once.

I guess my wonder is if any of them will be able to take that step as none showed the ability to do so down the stretch. If Bo was there I'd have more faith Reuvers would become Leuer and the rest would develop. Hard to know if Gard will be able to replicate that.

To be fair, scoring 15 while playing for uw-madison is like scoring 52 playing for an average tempo team.

I do think Nate can be a ton better.

[brewcity77]

To be fair, scoring 15 while playing for uw-madison is like scoring 52 playing for an average tempo team.

Touché.

[Coleman]

Why is this being written so early? We have other games before then...

We definitely could win this game, but it is no given. Kohl Hole is a tough place to play. Would be nice to take 3 in a row from Bucky though...

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Why is this being written so early? We have other games before then...

We definitely could win this game, but it is no given. Kohl Hole is a tough place to play. Would be nice to take 3 in a row from Bucky though...

Previews for the previous games have also been posted.

[brewcity77]

Why is this being written so early? We have other games before then...

We definitely could win this game, but it is no given. Kohl Hole is a tough place to play. Would be nice to take 3 in a row from Bucky though...

It's the third game and the third preview I've posted. Bucky is notably early on the schedule this year.

[Pops Sims]

In the final 14 games, Trice, Reuvers, and King combined for 6 double digit scoring efforts. None of them hit 15 once.

I guess my wonder is if any of them will be able to take that step as none showed the ability to do so down the stretch. If Bo was there I'd have more faith Reuvers would become Leuer and the rest would develop. Hard to know if Gard will be able to replicate that.

I think King (assuming he's healthy as last year was his first year back from a 2017 knee injury) might be a "difference-maker" UW lacked last season (besides Happ). Trice tailed off badly in the second half of the season. The question is, which version of Trice shows up in 2019? The jury is still out on Gard whether "player development" continues to be part of UW's program. Reuvers didn't have the luxury of red-shirting in 2017 but his game correlates well with the swing offense.   

[Pops Sims]

I think King (assuming he's healthy as last year was his first year back from a 2017 knee injury) might be a "difference-maker" UW lacked last season (besides Happ). Trice tailed off badly in the second half of the season. The question is, which version of Trice shows up in 2019? The jury is still out on Gard whether "player development" continues to be part of UW's program. Reuvers didn't have the luxury of red-shirting in 2017 but his game correlates well with the swing offense.

While some people don't think Gard is in Bo's class in terms of "player development", exhibit "A" would be Happ. While his shooting "skills" were lacking (obviously), his low post game allowed him to achieve All-American status.

[Uncle Rico]

While some people don't think Gard is in Bo's class in terms of "player development", exhibit "A" would be Happ. While his shooting "skills" were lacking (obviously), his low post game allowed him to achieve All-American status.

Happ kept staying in school and I was fed by Wisconsin media it was so he could develop for the next level.  Greg Gard did zero for getting his game ready for the next level.  It was laughable when it was suggested and laughable looking back on it.

[Big Papi]

The rodents prefer to have their bigs shoot 3s creating mismatches down low.  Happ while a great individual player did not fit the system they wanted to use.  Happ's inability to make a basket from 10 feet out was a killer.  They actually looked better when Happ was on the bench. They will be better this year then last year.  I expect a very difficult game.

[Dawson Rental]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned #2 scorer Khalil Iverson leaving in this thread.  Happ leaving is one thing, losing him and Iverson is something tougher.  Aleem Ford will have to take a big step up, as well as Reuvers for them to again be dangerous.  I think that Kobe King starts.

[brewcity77]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned #2 scorer Khalil Iverson leaving in this thread.  Happ leaving is one thing, losing him and Iverson is something tougher.  Aleem Ford will have to take a big step up, as well as Reuvers for them to again be dangerous.  I think that Kobe King starts.

+1

He was so good down the stretch when no one else (aside from Happ) could be counted on to score. I haven't seen him discussed much but think he's almost as big a loss as Happ simply because it leaves them with no proven, reliable scorer.

[Pops Sims]

Happ kept staying in school and I was fed by Wisconsin media it was so he could develop for the next level.  Greg Gard did zero for getting his game ready for the next level.  It was laughable when it was suggested and laughable looking back on it.

Player development doesn't always include "getting ready for the next level". Player development also includes improving your game to be a productive player in college. I'm not sure who you were reading but not being able to shoot the "3" consistently these days, pretty much dooms a "big" from not playing in the NBA.  Achieving All-American status as a "3-star" recruit is the very definition of player development.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

While some people don't think Gard is in Bo's class in terms of "player development", exhibit "A" would be Happ. While his shooting "skills" were lacking (obviously), his low post game allowed him to achieve All-American status.

Did Happ really improve all that much at UW?  I mean sure he was better, but was that due to Gard "developing" him, or was it simply due to experience?  He wasn't all that much different as a senior than he was the previous two years.  He improved at passing, but was no better at shooting, rebounding or turning the ball over.

Player development doesn't always include "getting ready for the next level". Player development also includes improving your game to be a productive player in college. I'm not sure who you were reading but not being able to shoot the "3" consistently these days, pretty much dooms a "big" from not playing in the NBA.  Achieving All-American status as a "3-star" recruit is the very definition of player development.

Not really.  He could have just been an underrated recruit.

[Uncle Rico]

Player development doesn't always include "getting ready for the next level". Player development also includes improving your game to be a productive player in college. I'm not sure who you were reading but not being able to shoot the "3" consistently these days, pretty much dooms a "big" from not playing in the NBA.  Achieving All-American status as a "3-star" recruit is the very definition of player development.

If Gard isn’t developing guys for the next level, why is he recruiting 5 stars?  It’s a waste of time.  And I read Tom Oates and he tells me Gard and Wisconsin develop guys for the NBA

[Pops Sims]

If Gard isn’t developing guys for the next level, why is he recruiting 5 stars?  It’s a waste of time.  And I read Tom Oates and he tells me Gard and Wisconsin develop guys for the NBA

I know you're focused on player development equating to "playing in the NBA". That's great but improving and developing your game to be a productive college player fits the definition as well.

UW's program with few exceptions (Sam Dekker) recruits very few 5 star  recruits. Tom Oates presumably was referring to Kaminsky when he referenced developing 'guys for the NBA'. Kaminsky came in as an "unheralded" 3 star recruit and was a first round NBA draft choice.

UW's program, somewhat atypically, is a "player development" program even though that definition doesn't HAVE to include the NBA. How else do you account for the program's consistent success over the last 20+ years? To achieve that success, identifying and developing talent is of paramount importance.   

[warriorjoe]

Nov. 17 could be a long day in Madison for the Badgers.

Go Warriors!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Nov. 17 could be a long day in Madison for the Badgers.

Go Warriors!

It's Sunday Funday!

[Jay Bee]

Did Happ really improve all that much at UW?  I mean sure he was better, but was that due to Gard "developing" him, or was it simply due to experience?  He wasn't all that much different as a senior than he was the previous two years.  He improved at passing, but was no better at shooting, rebounding or turning the ball over.

...and, I think heading into junior year there was a bunch of talk re: a 3-point game.. he hadn't tried one in years 1 and 2... goes 1-11 as a junior... 0-5 as a senior. Couldn't get that - or no matta FTs so bad that they did matta - figured out at all, even though they tried.

#ExtendGard (nh)

[brewcity77]

On the menu today, Badger roadkill.