Wisconsin men's basketball head coach Bo Ryan refused to blame poor officiating for the Badgers first Big Ten conference loss of the year at Purdue in his Monday press conference.
In response to controversial ruling on Michael Flowers' blocked layup attempt in the closing seconds that would have tied the game, Ryan did not acknowledge any difference between home officiating and away officiating.
It's tough. People see things at different angles. Nobody is out to get anybody,"" Ryan said. ""You just have to earn what you get. What they did is they made a better defensive play, unfortunately, than our offensive play ... We had a chance, and that's what you've got to be happy for, for your players.""
Ryan defended his players' efforts on defense but also acknowledged room for improvement.
""Shooting percentage wise we did OK. We're getting teams to take tough shots,"" Ryan said. ""Our guys are working. They're still a good defensive team. It isn't just one thing, so we just go back to practice today after we look at some film and try to get better.""
Ryan also noted the progress of freshman forward Jon Leuer, despite only scoring 1 point after a career high 25 points against Michigan last Tuesday.
""He did look a lot more comfortable,"" Ryan said. ""I like the fact that he got in there and stuck his nose in and got called for an over the back trying to get an offensive rebound the second half [while] trying to make a play. Nothing wrong with that, and that shows some progress.""
Looking Ahead
The Badgers (6-1 Big Ten, 16-3 overall) will need a solid contribution from Leuer and a strong defensive performance as a team to defeat the Big Ten leading Indiana Hoosiers (6-0 Big Ten, 17-2 overall) Thursday and extend their six-game winning streak against Indiana at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers will especially have to prepare for freshman phenom and Big Ten leading scorer Eric Gordon (21.7 ppg), who has caught the eyes and praise of the NCAA mens' basketball world, including coach Ryan, with his polished, all-around game.
""He's going to make a lot of money, because he's that good and he's worked hard at it,"" Ryan said. ""He's gifted, but there's a lot of work that went into being the player that he is.""
Ryan praised Gordon's accomplishments thus far and that he expects Gordon to move to the NBA next season, but he applauded Indiana's team as a whole and is not overlooking their other components.
""He is that kind of all around player that comes around once in a while ... But they have a lot of other players too,"" Ryan said. ""That's what makes them tough. You can't just gear on one.
