Broadcasters and sports journalists often refer to coaching battles as chess matches. But maybe they should describe them as poker games instead.
Coaches have to find the perfect combination of players— that winning hand that will give them the best chance to succeed. Sometimes they have to shuffle the deck and produce a new starting lineup to get their team on the winning track. Other times it is better to play with the cards, or players, they have in front of them.
Whether Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan needs a defensive stopper, a body on the boards or a skillful passer, he always has one card up his sleeve—he's the ‘Jack of all trades,' sophomore forward Joe Krabbenhoft.
At 6'7'', 217 pounds, Krabbenhoft combines the bruising mentality of a big man with the fundamentals and court awareness of a guard.
""He's a wild-card type player,"" Ryan said. ""He can play a lot of different spots.""
During his freshman campaign, Krabbenhoft averaged 5.1 rebounds in conference games and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team. He also finished with 31 assists which placed him third among conference freshmen, and he was often asked to guard the opponent's best player.
Although Krabbenhoft never started in 2005-'06, he played in every game and understood his role coming off of the Badger bench.
""We all want to go in there and give the team a spark if they need it,"" Krabbenhoft said. ""If they're beating us on the boards ... I can go in there and bang with the big guys.""
The loss of Greg Stiemsma and Marcus Landry forced Krabbenhoft to defend much larger power forwards and even a few centers. Yet, what he lacked in size, Krabbenhoft made up for with determination.
""The first thing he brings is toughness,"" UW point guard Kammron Taylor said. ""He doesn't care who he's going up against, how big the guy is, you know he's definitely going to get after you.""
While coaches and teammates recognized his physical defensive play, Krabbenhoft looked to improve his offense during the off season. He averaged 6.4 points per game in the Badgers' summer league games in Italy, nearly a three point increase over last season's average.
Krabbenhoft has shown he can put up big offensive numbers in the past. He averaged 18 points per game as a senior in high school.
According to UW assistant coach Howard Moore, Krabbenhoft's emergence as a scoring threat gives the Badger offense a big advantage.
""We're looking for mismatches within the offense,"" Moore said. ""Having a guy like Joe who can mix it up on both sides is great. He's real physical, so whether it's a big or a guard, he can mix it up and get in there and do some things.""
If Krabbenhoft's seven point performance Sunday against Mercer was any indication, the sophomore from Sioux Falls, S.D., might be adding another component to his already well-rounded game. Nevertheless, Krabbenhoft said winning remains more important than personal goals.
""My team goals come first,"" he said. ""A Big Ten championship ... and national championship, all that's out there, but the way we get about those goals is day by day, practice by practice, game by game.""
With statements like these, it appears the 19-year-old has wisdom beyond his years.
So how does Krabbenhoft feel about being labeled coach Ryan's wildcard?
""Wildcard, you know I don't know what exactly that means, but I guess that means just go in there and do what needs to be done to get the job done,"" Krabbenhoft said.
If the stakes are high and the Badgers need a lift off the bench, rest assured there won't be any bluffing from coach Ryan. He'll be going ‘all in' with his wild-card.
