As the Wisconsin women's basketball team honors its seniors Sunday against Iowa, players will come fact-to-face with the fact that they will lose three of their starters at the end of this year.
One of the players who will be asked to step up next year is sophomore guard Teah Gant. Gant is a strong defender who head coach Lisa Stone described coming into this year as the team's x-factor.""
Stone said Gant's shooting has come along, as well as her abilities to get to the basket and defend.
""She has matured as a young woman. When we have a four-guard rotation she is the starter, and when we have to go big she comes off the bench,"" Stone said. ""She has accepted her role, and that demonstrates how mature she is.""
Gant chose to come to Wisconsin to play at a Big Ten school near her home in Oswego, Ill., so her Mom could come watch her play.
""When I came here I got a lot of attention and the coaches here are really nice and excited and I just felt comfortable here,"" she said.
Gant recognizes her role and said it is her job to do the little things on both offense and defense, including getting to the basket and taking care of the ball.
""It's not all about scoring for me,"" Gant said. ""It's about adding what I can to the team, and if that is scoring then that's what I do, but if it's getting assists or passing to my teammates and getting stops, that's what it's about.""
Stone said Gant's intelligence and her low-key demeanor make her a strong player. She also said Gant has developed a lot in her two years at Wisconsin.
""Her shooting really has started to come along,"" Stone said. ""She gets to the basket really well and gives us another really good defender.""
Gant agreed that she has developed, especially her mental game.
""[I'm] able to make the right decision and know the smart thing to do on the court - like when you need to settle down and get a good score and when you need to push the ball,"" she said.
Older players on the team also recognize Gant's contributions to the team. Senior guard Janese Banks said Gant gives the team an athlete on the wing who is able to penetrate the lane.
""It's always good to have people with natural ability that can make plays,"" Banks said. ""That's kind of what Teah does, she can make something out of nothing when she is on the court.""
The team is losing three of its starters after this season, including Banks and Jolene Anderson, Wisconsin's all-time scoring leader for both men and women.
Gant realizes it's going to be a big change next year, but said she is up to the challenge.
Coach Stone agreed, saying Gant is in position to step up next year.
""The position is right there for her. It has got her name written on it,"" Stone said. ""She is going to have to do some work like everybody else, nothing is ever guaranteed, but she is gaining some very valuable experience right now.""
The Badgers are currently on a hot streak, having won their last four games, all in Big Ten conference play.
After taking on Michigan Thursday, the Badgers will battle Iowa Sunday on Senior Day. In the game at Iowa Jan. 13, the Badgers lost 78-74 in overtime.
Gant was second on the team with eight points in the teams' last meeting and described the rematch as exciting for the team.
""We need this win and we are going to come out with a lot of energy,"" she said. ""And of course there is going to be a lot of spotlight on our seniors because it will be their last home game.""
Looking toward next year, Gant thinks the team will continue to be good.
""[My goals are] to keep improving and playing solid and just doing little things, being a team player and contributing everything I need to do to make a good season,"" she said.
The Badgers' game against Iowa is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the Kohl Center Sunday.
