With four starters gone and only one senior on the roster, this season will be one to take a step back and develop the younger talent. Don't think that this is a rebuilding year, though. The Badgers have their eyes set on a Big Ten title and another NCAA Tournament run in March.
Six true freshmen come to Madison this season, joining DeAaron Williams, who sat out last year. Some will spend time on the bench learning like Williams did last year, but for others, head coach Bo Ryan wants to see what they can do now.
Guard/forward Joe Krabbenhoft and forward Marcus Landry head the large freshman class, and will be called upon early if players like Brian Butch, Jason Chappell and Michael Flowers don't make the jump to the next level.
At 6'7\, Krabbenhoft is a big guy that can move like a guard, something college coaches crave for their teams. He has the ability to knock down the 3-pointer, while also being a presence down low if he finds himself with a mismatch. It has been a slow start for Krabbenhoft, who has only been practicing for four weeks after recovering from a broken left foot in the off season.
He insists he is ready to go, though. 'I just want to help the team in any way I can,' Krabbenhoft said. 'If that's out on the floor during the game, I do whatever Coach asks. If it's getting the team ready for a big game out on the practice court, I'll do that too.'
For now, it will be Landry seeing most of the playing time for the freshman class. During Saturday's double-overtime victory over Eastern Kentucky, Landry was on the floor for 32 minutes and rewarded his coach with 19 points. The 6'7"" forward contributed in the second overtime by using his size to get to the free throw line, something the Badgers will be counting on him to do this year.
Landry is fresh off leading Milwaukee Vincent to the state title game in the spring, and the biggest obstacle for him will be adjusting to the college game. At this level, grabs and holds aren't called as much, and the game is a lot more physical.
'At times you got to play through that stuff,' assistant coach Greg Gard said. 'And it's not so much the physical part of playing through it. It's the mental part of not letting it bother you and just going ahead and making the next play.'
Landry will have to use his talent to his advantage. His athleticism and size is similar to Alando Tucker. 'I'm able to post up guys who are littler than me,' Landry said. 'Or I can take them on the outside if they are bigger than me.'
While Krabbenhoft and Landry look to have the fast track to playing time, it's not that easy at this level. ""It's not going to happen overnight for them,' Gard said. 'There are a lot of good players at this program.'
One of those good players is the high-flying Williams, the only red-shirt freshman. At 6'4"", he gives up the size Krabbenhoft and Landry have, but he has the experience gained from being a part of the program for a year.
'I sat out last year, and that was tough for me,' Williams said. 'I feel like I got a lot better though and I'm taking strides.'
The biggest problem so far in this young season has been the turnover factor. With all the experience lost from last year, along with the lack of a backup point guard, many players are being asked to step up as leaders on the floor. Limiting those turnovers is a big key to the success of this season.
Although sophomore Michael Flowers is the short term answer to the backup point guard question, freshman Mickey Perry could come to the rescue in the long run. Perry is a Proviso East graduate from Maywood, Illinois, the same school that produced former Badger Michael Finley. The 6'2"" guard primarily played shooting guard in high school and the coaching staff would like to use his deadly 3-point stroke to their advantage if they can find someone else to lead the floor.
'I think he is more comfortable playing at [shooting guard] right now because you don't have to be in that quarterbacking role,' Gard said. 'Once he gains some experience, then you can move him to other positions that require some more leadership, like the point guard.'
The rest of the freshman class includes 6'7"" Kevin Gullikson, 6'5"" Morris Cain and 6'2"" Devin Barry. For now, the three will continue to develop in practices, but the coaching staff is very excited about the abilities of Gullikson, who is known for his effort and high energy.
'He has become one of the better passers for the big men,' Gard said. 'He battles extremely hard and [the big guys] know that they will have to play hard against him in practice.'
For now, that kind of play in practice could be the difference for this year's group of Badgers. It won't happen overnight, but once that development and experience comes around for this team, they could be ready for another run in March.
Williams puts it in perspective, 'The team goal is to win the NCAA Championship at the end of the year.'
