There is no doubt that without Alando Tucker, the Wisconsin men's basketball team would not have had the historic season they had. Tucker won a bevy of awards in his senior season, including Big Ten Player of the Year. He was the runner-up for the Naismith award, given to the best player in the nation, but was still a consensus first team All-American.
The Lockport, Ill., native finished the season averaging just under 20 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. Tucker led UW to its best single season record ever as the team finished with a 30-6 record.
Considering Wisconsin is known as a ""football school,"" it has taken some time for the basketball program to really hit its stride and Tucker is one of the main reasons for it. This season, Tucker surpassed many former Badgers, including Michael Finley, to become the top point scorer in UW history. Tucker has been a constant force for UW ever since his freshman season.
While many fans will only look back at the 2006-'07 season as a disappointment because of the season's late collapse and second-round loss in the NCAA Tournament, it is hard to imagine that fans will not remember Tucker fondly. He was a constant leader on and off the court for the Badgers and was overall one of the nicest players to ever come through UW athletics. The only downfall to this Badgers' illustrious career was that he never fully received the recognition he deserved until his senior season.
Look for Tucker to be playing basketball again next year, as he should get drafted this summer. There is no question that Tucker is a tremendous talent, and if his time here at Wisconsin is any indication, Tucker should easily have an illustrious NBA career.
Honorable Mention: Joe Thomas
Big Joe is one of the most beloved athletes on campus and it is easy to see why. Any player who is willing to skip the NFL Draft in order to go fishing with his father is automatically a winner in the eyes of Badger fans.
Thomas was a constant leader for the football team and proved his love for the Badgers in last year's Capital One Bowl. The Badgers were low on defensive lineman due to injury and it was Thomas who stepped in to play defensive tackle when necessary. Thomas could have easily said no, fearing an injury, but put his team before himself. Even after the unthinkable happened and Thomas injured his knee, he never complained.
The Brookfield, Wis., native was selected third overall in the NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns and was the first offensive lineman to be drafted. Experts predict Thomas to be an All-Pro tackle for the Browns and Badger fans wouldn't expect anything less.
