OMAHA, Neb. - With nine minutes remaining in their battle against the No. 11 seed Kansas State Wildcats, the No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers led 58-49. In an attempt to cut into the UW lead, Wildcat head coach Frank Martin put on a full-court press.
After several quick passes criss-crossed the court, Wisconsin senior center Greg Stiemsma received the ball and drove down the right side of the lane. As he leaped toward the hoop, Stiemsma collided in mid-air with KSU freshman forward Michael Beasley. Yet the jolt did not prevent the Randolph, Wis., native from muscling a layup into the basket.
The referee's whistle signaled a foul and chance for a 3-point play, and the Badger faithful at the Qwest Center erupted in cheers.
I guess it was my night,"" a smiling Stiemsma said after the game.
It was indeed Stiemsma's night. He finished with a career-high 14 points in only 14 minutes of playing time.
The image of the tall, gangly Badger powering over the national Freshman of the Year might stand as the defining moment in Wisconsin's 72-55 victory over Kansas State. It also put an exclamation point on a remarkable two-game stretch for Stiemsma.
In 22 total minutes, he scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and recorded two blocks. Stiemsma shot nearly 70 percent from the field, and was one of the main reasons why the Badgers are moving on to the Sweet 16.
""He's been doing that all year and especially the last two months,"" junior forward Joe Krabbenhoft said after Stiemsma's six-point, four-rebound night against Cal State Fullerton. ""I think it hit him that this is his senior year and he wanted to step it up.""
Although the statistics speak for themselves - arguably no player in the tournament has been more efficient off the bench - they do not tell the whole story.
Like fellow senior forward Brian Butch, Stiemsma has endured several well-documented obstacles. He has suffered a foot injury and battled with depression. When he has been able to play, certain matchups have prevented him from getting significant minutes.
""He's persevered,"" said UW head coach Bo Ryan simultaneously referring to Stiemsma's focus despite a lack of consistent playing time on the court and his ability to overcome struggles off the court. ""Lot's been made about Brian Butch and the things he's been through. Greg Stiemsma, [it's] the same thing.""
""I think some of these guys are starting to show that they've learned some things about being men.""
Judging from his play this weekend, it appears Stiemsma has become more of a monster on the court than a man. That's a good thing for everyone, except Badger opponents.
