You would think the Badger men's baseketball team would not favor a break in action right now.
After winning three straight following loses in five of their last six games, it seemed the team has finally found its groove. Junior foward Alando Tucker played Superman for UW Wednesday, picking up 27 points and 16 rebounds in 78-73 comeback win over Ohio State. Sophomore forward Brian Butch and senior forward Ray Nixon were clutch, providing the spark the Badgers needed with junior guard Kammron Taylor having an off-night.
That being said, a week-long stretch without any game, when the team is in the middle of crowded Big Ten race, does not seem ideal. Well, tell that to the Badgers.
'For everybody to get rested it's a good thing,' Butch said after practice Monday. 'Every team is banged up in the Big Ten, but for us to get a bye this week really helped us out, I think. It refreshed some people.'
Butch is one of those that could use a rest. Playing with ankle problems all season, Butch has finally hit his groove, posting double-digit scoring efforts in his last two games, including 23 points and 12 rebounds at Penn State two Saturdays ago. Though Butch hit his groove, he still welcomes the rest with open arms.
'It was good to have a couple days off,' Butch said. 'Now when we get going again, I'm sure there will be some bumps and bruises that come along, but right now I think everyone is feeling all right and moving forward to concentrate on the games ahead.'
Right ahead for the Badgers? The Northwestern Wild Cats. Wisconsin travels to Evanston Wednesday to square off against a team that knocked off Iowa earlier in the year at home. While the rest and relaxation was much needed for the Badgers, it is essential the team stay sharp.
Assistant coach Howard Moore, who mainly works with the Badger big men, was back in practice after a recruiting trip. While Moore said he feels the rest is welcome in the Badger locker room, there still remains a need to get consistent action on the floor.
'I've been wanting to throw my body around a little bit, get them banging and thinking about how physical this last stretch of Big Ten regular-season games is going to be,' Moore said. 'It was good just to get them out there and do that and get them focusing on the little things like blocking out on free throws. We've got to be real sharp down the stretch here.'
While time off allows the Badgers to regroup, junior center Jason Chappell asserts it is still necessary to get back to the winning ways UW had going.
'As long as you get back in rhythm and get back in sync, time off allows people to get more rested and mentally just kind of recharge your battery,' Chappell said. 'After going so many games in a row, it's nice to kind of sit back and enjoy some games at home.'
Alando Big Ten POW
Tucker was named Big Ten Player of the Week Monday after notching a double-double performance Wednesday against the Buckeyes. The title was the second of its kind that Tucker has won this year, picking one up Nov. 21.
This marks the fifth consecutive season in which Badgers have notched two Player of the Week honors.
