Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan should be the 2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year

March 10, 2013 By 2 Comments

Bo Ryan 2013 Coach of the Year

At the end of a tough non-conference schedule, pundits and fans alike speculated that there was no way Bo Ryan could take a Wisconsin Badgers team without their starting point guard and contend for a Big Ten Title.

The Badgers were throttled at Florida (74-56 loss), picked apart by Creighton (84-74 loss), shocked by Virginia at home (60-54) and embarrassed by in-state rival Marquette (60-50 loss).

Not exactly the ideal way to go in to play in the best conference in America.

And now at the conclusion of their Big Ten slate and a 12-6 conference record, we’ve learned what everyone should have already known.

NEVER DOUBT BO who should be the Big Ten’s 2013 Coach of the Year. [Read more…]

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Everything you need to know about #4 Wisconsin vs. #13 Montana

March 15, 2012 By 5 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the third consecutive year, the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers have drawn a four seed in the NCAA Tournament. This year, they match-up with a Montana Grizzlies team who hail from the Big Sky Conference and have won fourteen straight games.

Even though the Badgers (24-9) are 3-0 all-time against #13 seeds and appear to be heavy favorites, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the Grizzlies (25-6).

[Read more…]

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Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers stay perfect in Senior Day Games (Rapid Reaction)

March 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a 70-56 win over the Fighting Illini, the Wisconsin Badgers’ Head Coach Bo Ryan is now 11-0 in Senior Day games at the Kohl Center.

Seniors Jordan Taylor and Rob Wilson were magnificent with 24 combined points to help the Badgers (23-8, 12-6) end the regular season on a three-game winning streak.

After losing eight of their last nine games, Illinois (17-14, 6-12) would have to pull out a miracle and win the Big Ten Tournament if they want to make the NCAA Tournament.

[Read more…]

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Wisconsin Badgers pick up signature win at Ohio State (Rapid Reaction)

February 26, 2012 By 4 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 29 games, the Wisconsin Badgers have finally picked up that signature win they were looking for.

Better late than never as Jordan Taylor and Jared Berggren’s combined 37 points helped the Badgers upset the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes by the score of 63-60.

With the loss, the Michigan State Spartans clinch at least a share of the Big Ten Title and Ohio State’s (23-6, 11-5) chances at a number one seed are now dashed. Meanwhile, the Badgers (21-8, 10-6) have most certainly enhanced their resume for the big dance.

“We’ve played two very good teams. Today, we needed to have the ability to sustain what we had going, which we didn’t do. We didn’t get the execution or the defensive stops that we needed,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said of the loss.

[Read more…]

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Spartans stay perfect at home against the Badgers

February 16, 2012 By 2 Comments

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This year’s match-ups between MSU and Wisconsin on both the gridiron and the hardwood have been very exciting. During college football season, we had the Hail Mary pass that led to a Spartan victory and the come-from-behind win by Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship, and the basketball rivalry seemed like it would run a similar script–last month’s controversial shot call let the Spartans come away with a win at the Kohl Center. [Read more…]

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Wisconsin Badgers still in the hunt for a Big Ten Title

February 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bo Ryan-led Wisconsin Badgers squad will rarely impress you with pure talent, but that doesn’t mean they can’t win. The Badgers run one of the least sexy offenses in the country and play such fundamental defense that they almost lull opposing teams to sleep.

This season has been no different with the #22 Badgers checking in at 19-6 and 8-4 in the Big Ten Conference, just a game and a half back of the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (21-3, 9-2).

One difference that has popped up this season is the Badgers solid play on the road. Did you know the Badgers have lost more games at home than on the road? With an overtime win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Wisconsin improved to 6-2 away from the Kohl Center.

With three of the next four games on the road, the Badgers hopes for a Big Ten Title will ride on continuing to compete outside the state-lines. [Read more…]

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Ohio State proves to be too strong for Wisconsin with 58-52 win (Rapid Reaction)

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The #3 Ohio State Buckeyes keep control of their first-place standing in the Big Ten with a 58-52 win over the #20 Wisconsin Badgers. Preseason All-American Jared Sullinger was particularly strong with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the Buckeyes first win at the Kohl Center since 2000.

Wisconsin has become the poster-child for being outplayed, yet having the ability to somehow still be in the game. Today’s game was a perfect example while being out-rebounded (30-25), out-shot (43.1% to 40.0%) and out-hustled, but were still within a single point in the last couple of minutes. [Read more…]

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Wisconsin Badgers Head Coach Bo Ryan Blasts NCAA Transfer Rule

January 24, 2012 By 3 Comments

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Under NCAA rules, a college athlete who receives his undergraduate degree but still has a year of eligibility remaining can transfer to another school and play right away rather than sit out a year which other transfers must do.  This exception became a focal point in the national media when St. Joseph’s would not release center Todd O’Brien from his scholarship so that he could pursue his graduate degree and play out his final year of eligibility at UAB.

Big Ten teams Michigan State and Illinois have benefited from this rule this season.  The Spartans starting shooting guard Brandon Wood transferred in from Valparaiso under these guidelines, so did Illini point guard Sam Maniscalco who left Bradley and provided Bruce Weber with a much needed, experienced floor leader. 

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan is vehemently against this rule though.  He had quite the rant on the topic when speaking to the media on Monday, describing it as “a terrible rule” and “one of the worst rules I’ve ever seen.”

[Read more…]

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Cold Day at the Kohl Center: Iowa Hawkeyes Knock Off #11 Wisconsin

December 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, this headline is not a misprint, the #11 Wisconsin Badgers have indeed dropped their conference home-opener to the Iowa Hawkeyes by the score of 72-65.

Iowa (9-6, 1-1) took full advantage of a horrendous-shooting performance from the Badgers (24-for-69) and a lackluster showing on the defensive end despite Wisconsin (12-3, 1-1) being one of the best in the nation on that side of the ball.

Freshman Hawkeye Aaron White was the surprising star of the day with a game-high 18 points off the bench. [Read more…]

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Bo Ryan and Badgers Land Talented Prospect Sam Dekker

November 10, 2011 By 5 Comments

 

 

 

 

The recent success of Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers is starting to make a difference on the recruiting front as the state’s best players are beginning to stay put. On Wednesday, the 18th ranked prospect in the nation, Sam Dekker, decided to sign his National Letter of Intent to play at Wisconsin starting in 2012.

Currently a senior at Luthern High School in Sheboygan, WI, Dekker averaged 28.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and four assists during his junior season.

“We’re obviously very excited to have Sam join our program. He brings the entire package to Wisconsin,” Ryan said. “Sam possesses all of the first-class intangibles that you want in someone representing your program on the court, in the classroom and in the community.” [Read more…]

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Badgers Ben Brust Leads the Way in Annual Red-White Scrimmage

October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

A serious question facing the 2011-12 Badgers is whether or not they can replace the production from departing seniors Jon Leuer, Keaton Nankivil and Tim Jarmusz. In Sunday’s annual Red-White Scrimmage at the Kohl Center, part of that question was possibly answered.

Sophomore guard Ben Brust stepped up in a big way to score a game-high 22 points and lead the Red to a 72-56 win over the White squad who was led by preseason All-American Jordan Taylor.

“He can have a scoring frenzy at times. He did it last year at practice every once in a while. He’s quick with the ball and includes his teammates,” said Head Coach Bo Ryan of his young guard Brust. [Read more…]

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