If a young Wisconsin team has any hope of claiming a Big Ten crown this season and competing in their eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament, the contributions of the their seven freshmen will be key. If their play in Saturday night's 79-52 victory over River Falls was any indication, both of those goals appear well within reach.
Returning only one starter from last season's Elite Eight squad, junior forward and preseason All-Big Ten selection Alando Tucker, the Badgers enter head coach Bo Ryan's fifth season as head coach with numerous holes to fill. But a consensus top Big Ten recruiting class last year hopefully will go along way towards filling the void.
Perhaps most promising of the group is former Milwaukee Vincent standout Marcus Landry, who logged 16 minutes and responded with 11 points and only one turnover.
'Marcus did a nice job. He didn't try to do too much,' Ryan said of his versatile forward.
Reminiscent of a young Tucker who in the 2002-03 season helped lead the Badgers to the Sweet 16 as a freshman, Landry brings to the court outstanding athleticism and intensity on both the offensive and defense ends. Landry flashed his excellent speed and leaping ability when he caught River Fall's guard Eric Kossoris from behind and swatted away his breakaway lay-up.
Later in the second half with the Badgers up by 28, Landry attempted to throw down a powerful one handed dunk and came up with mostly iron, much to the dismay of Ryan. However, in one of the most encouraging signs of the night, he soon found himself in a similar situation and the results were much better.
'Next time he went up with two hands and got fouled, got the bucket and he got the free throw. I didn't tell him that I was unhappy, I told him that didn't help his teammates,' Ryan explained. 'If that was a learning experience that netted results in that short a period of time than he is going to be all right.'
Fellow highly touted freshman Joe Krabbenhoft also received substantial minutes and showed a good all-around game. If the South Dakota native can avoid the foot injuries that plagued him throughout his high school career he will likely become a significant contributor as the year progresses.
'I think Joe Krabbenhoft really caught my eye,' senior forward Ray Nixon said. 'He was a hustle guy who was in there on every possession. He was rebounding hard and defending well. I think he did a good job tonight.'
'[Landry and Krabbenhoft] have been solid the whole time. Those are the guys who are picking up very fast,' Tucker said. 'That's what we are going to need. If those two can come along and keep getting better every practice and every game, those are going to be solid minutes.'
Freshman guard Mickey Perry, who rounds out Wisconsin's group of scholarship true freshman, was quick and aggressive on defense once he entered the game, but that proved to be a challenge. Prior to being subbed in for his first minutes as a Badger, Perry was quickly yanked in favor of Tanner Bronson when Ryan noticed he had failed to tuck his shirt in.
'I think I am going to make him do my laundry,' joked Tucker after the game in reference to Perry's wardrobe malfunction.
