For all you dedicated Wisconsin basketball fans, I’m sure you were on the verge of tears as Notre Dame took down our Badgers in the Sweet Sixteen this past Friday. If you were as devastated as I was by this loss, you probably sat on your couch or in your local Buffalo Wild Wings in dead silence as the clock quietly ticked down to 0—unsure how we did not prevail. Despite this heartbreaking moment that left us all dumbfounded knowing that we were indeed the better team, let’s take a step back to fully embrace the season for what is was: an extraordinary comeback.
Coming into the 2015-2016 basketball season, we all were curious to as what kind of team would arise from the previous success achieved last season. From losing key players—Sam Dekker, Traevon Jackson, and Frank Kaminsky—I pondered who would step up from the next generation of starters to lead this team. Returning from productive roles last season, it was a given that Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes would be locked into the starting lineup. As for the other three open spots, it was soon unveiled that Ethan Happ, Zak Showalter, and Vito Brown would be given the opportunity to step into leadership roles.
One new player in particular that was vital to the success of this season was Redshirt Freshman, Ethan Happ. What we couldn't have expected was his being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year! Happ started all 35 games and led the team in rebounds (7.9/game), field goals (4.7/game), blocked shots (32 in all), and steals (1.8/game). He quickly developed into a premier forward in the Big 10, but confided in an exclusive interview with him that “the guys from last year’s team had a lot to do with it. Frank and Sam with some moves, and then guys like Traevon and Josh’s leadership. Nigel helped me this year in games, which accounted for a lot as well.” With his consistent drive to make big plays on offense and the countless hours in practice learning from Kaminsky, Happ played a vital role in this season’s success and should continue to be a dominant force next year.
Juniors Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes were also key contributors this season. Hayes led the team in overall points (15.7/game), free throws (73.6%), and assists (3/game). If you watched Hayes play, you quickly discovered that he is the real deal. With two years starting experience, Hayes knows his position inside and out. His extraordinary motivation to continue improving each day in practice and his hunger around the basket has elevated him to a solid NBA prospect. Hayes has one more year with the Badgers to help provide a scoring mentality for the team.
As for Koenig, he took over the starting point guard role last season following Traevon Jackson’s injury mid-year and led the team this season in 3 pointers (2.4/game). His epic game winning 3 pointer against 2 seed Xavier in the second round of the NCAA tournament this year turned heads around the country as the shot was played over and over on CBS and SportsCenter. Known for his hot hand from the outside, Koenig has hit important 3’s in big games all season (6 against Xavier, 4 against Michigan State, and 4 against Iowa). Bronson may not have hit every shot he took, but he lived by the quote “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” To say the least, Bronson never saw a shot he didn’t like.
Let’s not forget the “newbies” to the starting lineup: Zak Showalter and Vito Brown. Showalter, who started all 35 games, proved himself through his exceptional work rate and tenacity both offensively and defensively. His ability to consistently give 110% effort every game landed him a starting position this season. Brown, who started 34 of 35 games this season, hit multiple 3s at critical times throughout the season with his smooth jump shot. His height and strength often give him an advantage over his opponent, allowing him to a forceful factor on this team.
Aside from individual achievements and contributions, the “team” arguably over-achieved this season, improving weekly under Coach Gard’s direction. The Badgers ended up 22-13 overall, with many of their losses occurring early in the season. Despite the rough start, the team overcame adversity and defied the odds by winning 7 straight games in the Big Ten and ultimately qualifying for the NCAA tournament as a 7 seed. In addition to the new faces and some heartbreaking early season losses, the Badgers also had to adjust to a new coach—Greg Gard, who took over for Bo Ryan in December.
Yes, losing to Notre Dame in the Sweet Sixteen was an obvious disappointment, as anyone who watched the game knew the better team did not prevail. For a majority of the game, it appeared that Wisconsin was going to slide into another Elite 8. Although heartbreak and tears were the end result, this season should not be defined by this one game. The season should be remembered as a year of extreme growth and resiliency, as our team accomplished the impossible and overcame each hurdle it encountered. New coach? Check. Dominate in Big 10 play despite disappointing early season losses AND qualify for the NCAA tournament as a 7 seed? Yup. Beat 2 seed Xavier with 2 seconds left on an unbelievable 3 pointer? Done.
Needless to say, this season had its highs and lows, but we never surrendered. Hang tight Badger fans, until next year… ON WISCONSIN!
