| | By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
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Friday, Oct. 13
Dick Bennett finally got the credit he deserved for being a terrific coach when he took his much-maligned Wisconsin team to the Final Four, beating Arizona and LSU along the way.
Bennett has a disciplined team, both offensively and defensively, that runs an offense that is unique in college
basketball. Wisconsin runs an offense that is mostly motion, with some set
plays, and is called a "Blocker-Mover" offense, or "Runners and Blockers."
Wisconsin uses a lot of screen and re-screen action, with physical screens and players who make good reads. Wisconsin moves without the ball and crashes the boards. The Badgers force teams to play defense on every possession.
On defense, Wisconsin is very physical, Bennett's players are always there on the catch, and they contain penetration. Wisconsin does not beat itself. In fact, since February, only Michigan State beat Wisconsin.
So why does the mention of the Badgers cause people to roll their eyes? Because they are not fun to watch. They just beat you.
Wisconsin will be better this season than last season, but it probably will not have the same success in the NCAA Tournament. But at least people will pay attention and respect what is being accomplished in Madison.
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Frontcourt
Wisconsin will be led up front by Mark Vershaw, Andy Kowske and Charlie Wills.
Vershaw (11.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 52 percent 3pt) is a gifted offensive player who is a very skilled passer. The 6-foot-9 Vershaw often looks for Kowske underneath but can step out and hit his shot from deep range.
He is very physical and does a good job on the offensive and defensive glass. He's especially apt at boxing
out and getting position. Vershaw has good moves in the post and is unfazed by physical battles.
Kowske (9.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 58 percent FGs) is a tough, hard-nosed player who is very good on the offensive boards, and has good
hands. He finishes around the basket, runs the court and can play with his back to the basket. Kowske, 6-8, has a nice turnaround jumper and really forces opponents to block him out.
Wills averaged only 3.7 points a game last season, but he remains another physical player who is used mostly as a screener. If he looks for his offense, it will be as soon as the pick is set for him. But he can run the floor and rebound on the defensive end. The 6-8 Wills has a decent touch and can hit the open shot.
Dave Mader is a 6-11 redshirt freshman who thrives on contact and will knock people over to get
the ball. He is still a project but could see time. Freshman Kyle Grusczynski, 6-7, rounds out the frontcourt.
Backcourt
Mike Kelley returns as the most dreaded defender in the Big Ten because he takes a player completely out of his game. It's just no fun playing against him.
|  | | Mike Kelley and the rest of the Badgers might not look pretty on the court, but they get the job done. |
Kelley (5.0 ppg, 3.2 apg, 56 percent FGs) is the Badgers' primary ball-handler and never turns it over. He is physical,
unrelenting and makes you pay for mistakes. Kelley had good hands and good anticipation skills. He is a capable spot-up shooter who must be made to put the ball on the floor.
Roy Boone (6.1 ppg, 34 percent FGs) is the best athlete on the team and is looking to be a more consistent shooter and ball-handler.
Boone can finish around the basket and in transition. He, too, is a very good on the ball defender and guard rebounder. Boone looks to drive first, shoot second and makes momentum plays.
Maurice Linton is a player who has always gone in cycles, but he finished the season as strong as any Badger. He
is a good face-up shooter who goes to the offensive glass, runs the court
and can hit from 15 feet and in. Some call Linton a "garbage player," but he's confident and strong minded.
Linton really worked on his shot over the summer but will have to sit out a portion of the season because of the
recent shoe discount probe.
Kirk Penney played for New Zealand at the Sydney Games and shot the ball well, which he will be counted upon to do more this season. Junior
college transfer Ricky Bower is a decent shooter who can take it to the basket, and freshman Freddie Owens can provide good defense while making good decisions.
Bottom Line
Head coach Dick Bennett is looking for leadership on this team. He needs someone to grab a jersey and light a fire under this
team. Don't worry, he he has a number of candidates to fill that role. Bennett also wants to see more
spontaneity from his offense -- for it to be less robotic and more reading and reacting. If Wisconsin can be aggressive on offense without forcing the issue, and improve its shooting and penetrating, then the Badgers will be doubly
tough to beat. It might not be pretty to some, but that Final Four banner sure is beautiful to look at. | |
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