It's easy to classify most basketball players.
Some guys are the giants, the bangers, the powers in the paint— cleaning backboard glass more effectively than Windex.
There are the dribble-drivers who use their athleticism to cut to the hoop, dunk or pass to open teammates.
Others are the designated defenders. They hide in the back pockets of offensive-minded opponents and wait for the opportune time to snatch a steal or take a charge.
Then there are the long-range bombers, the sharpshooters, the 3-point assassins—firing at opponents from all corners of the court.
When a player merges two or more of these elements, he leaves the clichAcs behind and becomes, simply, a complete basketball player.
Junior guard Michael Flowers has started to make such a transformation for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Always known as a tough defender, Flowers has given UW an offensive spark this season, averaging 8.2 points per game. Last season he scored more than 10 points only three times, but already in 2006, Flowers has posted three double-digit scoring games.
""I want to go out there and be a playmaker, but I don't force anything or ... play out of character,"" Flowers said. ""I take what the defense gives me. If they gamble, then I'll step in and knock down the 3-pointer.""
The 6'2' former Madison La Follette standout has made seven 3-pointers in his first six games, but has also taken advantage of opportunities from the free throw line. Flowers was 4-for-4 in a 92-39 victory over Southern and went 6-for-6 in the Badgers' 66-64 loss against Missouri State.
Wisconsin assistant coach Greg Gard said a combination of practice and experience has helped Flowers to elevate his offensive game.
""I think first of all, he's more confident,"" Gard said. ""He's put some time into his game too... whether it's been back home on the east side or here in the Kohl Center, you can definitely tell he's put some reps in, because his technique and his release and everything about his shot has improved.""
Flowers, meanwhile, gives his teammates most of the credit.
""Brian [Butch] is a force inside. You have [Jason Chappell] that can hit the 15-footer. You got [Alando Tucker] that demands a double team every time he gets in the post, and we've got [Kammron Taylor] that can penetrate anytime he feels the need to,"" Flowers said. ""That leaves me often open in the corners to knock down open shots ... and that's what I do.""
Although his fellow starters might give him opportunities, the emergence of backup freshman guard Jason Bohannon has forced Flowers to produce every time he steps onto the court.
""The number one thing its added is competition in practice,"" Gard said. ""We've raised the bar in terms of how you have to perform in practice everyday in order to be on the floor, because somebody's trying to get your minutes or get your spots.""
Even if Flowers' offensive production drops, head coach Bo Ryan will have difficulty finding a better shut-down defender. In 2005-'06, Ryan frequently called on No. 22 to guard opponents' top scorers. It's a task that Flowers welcomes.
""I kind of like the challenge,"" he said. ""I like playing against good people because that's only going to make me better.""
According to Gard, Flowers possesses all the skills of a top defender.
""He's tenacious,"" Gard said. ""He's not afraid to stick his nose in places. He's fearless. He has a great knack for just competing.""
While Flowers admits chasing top scorers night in and night out is not easy, he gets plenty of help from the other four Badgers on the court.
""I get tired a lot, but that's why I came to Wisconsin,"" he said. It's not just me guarding their best player, it's everybody guarding their best player.""
Flowers' offense might be blooming like a rose. His defense might be devouring opposing scorers like a Venus flytrap. But all botanical analogies aside, Flowers is quickly becoming a complete player for the Badgers.
