Wisconsin Badgers – #7 Big Ten college basketball power rankings

Wisconsin

Coach: Bo Ryan (11 season at Wisconsin 268-101), Overall 651-204, 28 years

2011-12: Record 26-10 overall, 12-6 in Big Ten (4th)

Starters Returning (3) Ryan Evans, Josh Gasser, Mike Bruesewitz, Jarred Berggren

Preseason Tournament: Las Vegas Invitational

Top Non-Conference Games: at Marquette, vs. Virginia, vs. California, at Florida

Transfer Out: Jared Uthoff (Iowa)

Sat out: George Marshall (redshirt), Zach Bohannon (Air Force)

Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers lose all everything point guard Jordon Taylor and basically bring back everyone else until the injury bug struck. Starting point guard to be Josh Gasser tore his ACL and will be out for this season. If he was healthy I would have the Badgers a little higher on this list. The strength of this team is in the frontcourt were they return all 3 starters and add a top recruit. One thing is for sure Ryan will get the most out of this team like he always does. The Badgers have not missed the big dance since 1998.

The strength of this team will be in the frontcourt. Leading the way is Ryan Evans (11 ppg). Though undersized Evans is the Badgers returning leading rebounder and scorer. While he is a versatile scorer he does most of his work in the paint. He is also the Badgers best athlete. Joining him at forward will be Mike Bruesewitz (5.6 ppg). He is a really effective rebounder and defender but he struggled shooting the ball last season. At center will be Jared Berggren (10.5 ppg). For a center Berggren is he a very versatile scorer last season he knocked down 45 three point. He was also a very effective shot blocker last season. The top option off the bench will be highly touted freshman Sam Dekker. Dekker can do it all shot the ball and attack the rim. Don’t be shocked if he is in the lineup midseason in place of Bruesewitz. Also providing depth will be Duje Dukan (.7 ppg), Evan Anderson (.4 ppg), Frank Kaminsky (1.8 ppg) and Air Force transfer Zach Bohannon.

With Gasser out shooting guard Ben Brust (7.3 ppg) will be the leader of the backcourt. He is by far the best shooter on the Badgers roster. In fact last season he made a Big Ten record 7 three pointers in a row. As for the point guard duties look for that to go redshirt freshman George Marshall. Marshall is unproven but he has ton of potential. Providing depth here for the Badgers will be Jordan Smith (.7 ppg), Zak Showalter and Traevon Jackson (1.1 ppg).

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