Just two months ago, the Badgers played a crucial road game in Texas. They were short-handed and down by one point with just seconds left - someone needed to step up. Senior guard Michael Flowers answered the call with a game-winning 3-point shot with two seconds remaining, followed by a steal on the inbound to seal the victory. This sequence embodied the heart and clutch play Flowers has shown this year, keeping the Badgers focused on their goal for another successful season.
With the loss of two key senior leaders from last season in Kammron Taylor and Alando Tucker, Flowers knew this season would be his turn to lead by example and anchor a younger Badger team. Sophomore guard Jason Bohannon believes Flowers has done an excellent job of completing his mission thus far.
[Michael is] a great leader,"" Bohannon said. ""Anytime there's a stoppage in play on the floor, he's always bringing us all over, telling us what we need to do, how to help the team. Offensively, defensively - whatever he sees in his mind what we need to do - and he does a great job of that.""
Flowers is no stranger to life in Wisconsin. He grew up in Madison and attended La Follette High School. He received several honors for his outstanding play there, including Gatorade State Player of the Year his senior season and first team All-State as a junior when he averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals.
Throughout his career, Flowers has shown tremendous defensive intensity, which has provided him with extended playing time early in his career. He appeared in 30 of the team's 34 games as a freshman and was third on the team in minutes played while leading the Badgers with 39 steals as a sophomore. According to assistant coach Greg Gard, Flowers' intensity is crucial to Wisconsin's success.
""He really makes us go and brings a lot of intensity,"" Gard said. ""He doesn't say a whole lot, but the other guys feed off how hard he plays and how he brings it every single day - not just on game night.""
Throughout the season, the Badgers have relied heavily on Flowers to shut down their opponents' best offensive guard. Bohannon says the Badgers really respect the high level of Flowers' effort.
""He always does a great job of guarding the best guy on the floor, he's always on the Eric Gordons or the Trent Meachums,"" Bohannon said. ""Every top player you can think of on a team, he's always guarding.
""He's doing it night in and night out. It speaks a lot of Mike - about how hard he's willing to play and the price he's willing to pay each and every game for the team.""
While Flowers has always been a tenacious defender, his offensive production has improved dramatically this season in a bigger scoring role. Gard sees the improvement not just in Flowers' shot, but his approach as a whole.
""He's been adding to his offensive repertoire and he's gotten a lot better,"" Gard said. ""His shot has really improved, his ball handling has improved, his decision making, everything about his offensive game has improved.""
Flowers struggled offensively through most of the non-conference schedule, scoring in double figures just three times in 12 games. However, since Big Ten play, Flowers has scored in double figures in nine of 15 games, including a 23-point effort at Penn State Jan. 15. In addition, Flowers has excelled in his outside shooting, going 9-for-16 in his previous four games. Gard believes Flowers' steady play on offense has set a great example for younger guards like sophomore Trevon Hughes.
""I think Mike has helped Trevon understand that each possession is valuable on both ends - whether it's offense or defense,"" Gard said. ""Shot selection is key, and being able to bring it every single day of practice is another thing - just his work habits, developing great work habits.
""Not so much what Mike has said, but what Mike has done every single day rubs off on everybody else.""
Flowers' game has taken tremendous strides in his senior season, and as the Badgers enter crunch time, they will continue to depend on his consistent play and leadership.
""He's been a huge cog of our success this season,"" Gard said. ""For him, I think it's just a matter of continuing to develop, and continuing to grow - not only physically and what he can do within his game, but mentally as well.""
