2008 Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Preview

Last season, the Wisconsin Badgers (31-5 overall, 16-2 Big Ten) took the Big Ten and made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Then their dance towards the national championship ended when the Badgers lost to Davidson 73-56. Most feel that the team got knocked out early. In seven years, head coach Bo Ryan has amassed a fine record at Wisconsin, going 84-30 in the conference. His teams have won three conference crowns and two second-place finishes.

Although the frontcourt has lost Brian Butch and Greg Stiemsma and their combined 15.9 PPG and 9.7 RPG, they still offer a deep unit. If forward Jon Leuer (8.6 MPG, 2.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.4 APG, 47.2 FG%, 48.3 FT%) can play strong defense and forward Keaton Nankivil (2.4 MPG, 0.4 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.1 APG, 25.0 FG%, 50.0 FT%) can reach the next level, then these two sophomores will be instrumental in this team’s success. Leuer ably hits from the three-point arc, while Nankivil has worked hard to give the Badgers some offensive muscle.

The backcourt offers two obvious starters—Trevon Hughes (30.2 MPG, 11.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 39.4 FG%, 68.8 FT%) and Jason Bohannon (26.3 MPG 8.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 42.9 FG%, 86.7 FT%). Both are starting in their junior years. Hughes has fine “D” skills, is able at stealing balls and is adept at setting up shooters. Bohannon can hit that spot-up jump-shot while providing sound defense. They make a good team. The third guard spot looks to go to Tim Jarmusz (4.0 MPG, 0.7 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.1 APG, 60.0 FG%, 25.0 FT%), who can defend and hit the long shot. Freshmen Jordan Taylor and Robert Wilson are athletic defenders with a lot of potential.

Critics feel that over the past two seasons Wisconsin has not lived up to its potential. There’s pressure on this team to go deep into the NCAA Tournament. This club certainly has the potential to do so. A first- or second-place Big Ten finish is within this team’s grasp.