By Ben Breiner
Courtside
In his fourth season in the Badger basketball program, senior center Greg Stiemsma is looking to make this year his breakout one. His three seasons have all been somewhat rocky but his leadership will be important on a team that lost a lot of experience from last year's record setting squad. He is now looking to write the final chapter to his Badger career.
Probably the first thing that comes to mind is that it's gone quick. It seems like I just got here but now I'm coming into my senior season,"" Stiemsma said. ""I feel a lot more comfortable on the floor, more comfortable with the atmosphere. I feel real comfortable with the guys around us, the guys they brought in here and even the guys who have been here a few years. [I'm] looking forward to getting the season going, getting some games going and banging with some other people.""
Stiemsma arrived on campus in 2004 after leading his Randolph High School team to four Division III state titles and earning All-State honors as a junior. Rivals rated him as the seventh best center prospect in the country.
His freshman season was less than stellar as he only played 2.7 minutes per game and missed six weeks with a foot injury. The highlight came when he was put onto the court during the Badger's Elite Eight loss when North Carolina's Sean May was wreaking havoc on the Badger's frontcourt.
The next season began well with Stiemsma blocking 1.5 shots per game. His development was obvious. Everything came crashing down, however, when he became academically ineligible and was diagnosed with depression.
""It's been good and steady. Like any player, you get your ups and downs, but for the most part it's been up and he's just getting a little bit better each year,"" assistant coach Gary Close said. ""Hopefully his senior year, he will really have a good one.""
As a junior, Stiemsma had trouble getting on the floor, averaging less than 10 minutes per game. But he showed flashes by shooting 80 percent from the free-throw line and registering five assist games twice. His role grew when forward Brian Butch got injured, but the Badgers still had trouble down the stretch.
Expectations are rising for Stiemsma heading into this season.
""He's experienced, being a senior. He's been down the pipe a few times. He is a terrific post passer, excellent at dumping into the post so he's effective out at the perimeter,"" Close said. ""He is a capable shooter so people got to guard him out there and he's a physical presence inside.""
The Badgers could use Stiemsma and Butchin a twin towers setup that could create a difficult situation for other teams to defend.
""Any time you have another seven-footer out there it creates matchup problems,"" Butch said. ""It creates different areas that teams have to look at... It creates different matchups for sure.""
He is growing confidence and some of the younger players look up to him. Redshirt freshman J.P. Gavinski has learned a lot from the senior.
""Just adjusting to this style of game, going up against him everyday. Greg has taught me quite a bit,"" Gavinski said. ""I mean just playing against him helps me so much, helps me learn to get my shot off.""
Stiemsma brings a plethora of skills to the basketball court. He can bang on the defensive end with his 260-pound body and can harass shooters with his long arms (nearly one block per game in limited minutes last season).
He can also unleash a 15-foot set shot and can fire deft passes from the high and low post. However, he has not stopped trying to improve his skills on the court and worked hard in the off season.
""Just [working on] offensive moves, post moves, feeling a little more comfortable with that ball in the post, decision making, just trying to not be so passive maybe, a little more aggressiveness,"" Stiemsma said. ""Hopefully it will show on the floor.""
The coaches will be looking for more than just great play though. They will be looking for him to step up and be a leader.
""He's a good defender in the post. He's got nice touch around the basket,"" Head coach Bo Ryan said. ""He's a senior right now, so we're looking for some leadership on the floor from the way he plays and handles himself.""
