At the end of last Wednesday's 76-50 blowout of the Michigan Wolverines at home, the Grateful Red crowd was cheering Tanner Bronson, urging the freshman guard to shoot. When he finally drove in for a lay-up with less than a minute remaining, the ball trickled off the rim. Without hesitation, freshman center Greg Stiemsma leaped towards the right side of the basket, grabbed the ball with two hands and delivered a powerful flush that caused an eruption within the student section and through the Badger faithful.
It is possible that in misfortune, opportunity is born. With freshman forward/center Brian Butch sidelined indefinitely with mononucleosis, there is a void in the Badgers' bench. That seats opportunity right in front of Stiemsma, as well as sophomore forward/center Jason Chappell, and how they handle it is up to them.
The game against Michigan was a terrific opportunity for Stiemsma to show why head coach Bo Ryan was so eager to grab the 6'11' center out of Randolph High School.
\It felt good getting a few more minutes here and there-getting a few more touches while I'm out there. I'm starting to feel more comfortable and it feels good,"" Stiemsma said.
Also benefiting from Butch's illness is Jason Chappell. Only averaging 3.7 minutes per game in his second season of eligibility, Chappell has a chance to log some important time in crucial upcoming games and he feels that it's well deserved.
""It's what I've been waiting for since I got here,"" Chappell said. ""It definitely makes you feel good that all your work has paid off to see some time on the floor.""
Stiemsma, who has worked with Chappell the entire season on the Badgers' scout team, supports the sophomore and his quest for playing time.
""He's been playing really well and he's earned everything he's gotten,"" Stiemsma said.
Stiemsma, who led his high school squad to three state titles, is looking forward to his increased role.
""This whole season, my goal has been to just help the team out. Whatever my role's going to be, I'm going to try and do what's best for the team.""
His progress this season, from a full-time bench warmer, to an inside contributer, has certainly not gone unnoticed by his teammates. Stiemsma has a chance to do some damage against the hard-nosed front courts of the Big Ten Conference. Sophomore guard Kammron Taylor assures Badger fans that even though they might not have gotten to observe the big man in action, he is coming along just fine.
""I think he's been doing a good job of progressing all year, even though the crowd hasn't gotten a chance to see him,"" Taylor said. ""I see him everyday in practice and he's definitely getting better.""
Chappell, while he might be battling with Stiemsma for playing time, does not fail to recognize the freshman's progress as well.
""He's a big big presence inside. He's working hard and getting better, and he's doing real good as far as a freshman goes. He's going to be a real good player,"" Chappell said.
Stiemsma credits most of his basketball education and adjustment to the college game to the seniors, in particular senior forward Mike Wilkinson.
""Mike's the soul of the club,"" Stiemsma said. ""He does all the little things right and he works so hard. It's great to look up to a guy like that.""
As far as his dunk in the Michigan game goes, Stiemsma has been waiting a while to throw one down. He averages only 1.3 points per game in 23 total minutes. The last time Stiemsma went to the rim with authority was back in his senior year of high school.
""It felt good. I've been waiting since March to do one of those.""
When Stiemsma dunked, Taylor could be seen jumping on the back of junior forward Alando Tucker, both wide-eyed with excitement.
""Me and Alando jumped off the bench when that happened,"" Taylor said about the dunk. ""Greg just came in and did his thing. He didn't force anything and he ended up with four points and a couple of rebounds.""
While the Badgers have a pair of Big Ten road games remaining-against Michigan State and Ohio State-the bright future of Stiemsma, Chappell and Butch is tough to look past.
The Badgers front-court prospectus holds an immense amount of potential. With an average height surpassing 6'10', UW is primed to dominate the boards for years to come.
""Next year we're going to be younger [as a team], but also ready to learn,"" Stiemsma said. ""We have a lot of big games coming up and hopefully we can learn something from those that we can take [with] us in the future.""
