Wisconsin Basketball 2022-23

[bjkrautk]

Weren't even one of the first four out.  Just a disappointing season all-around.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Yeah, looks like the bracketology crowd was right on re: Wisconsin and very wrong re: Rutgers.

[adambr2]

I hope they play in the NIT. It'd be good tournament experience for their underclassmen. I know this season is a big disappointment and the NIT is basically a swear word these days, but I'd take some enjoyment out of a deep NIT run.

[Brewcrew82]

2nd tourney miss in 25 years. Making the tourney every year is the minimum expectation that’s been set for this program. Gard shouldn’t be fired, but he needs to ensure that one year from now that we aren’t left with this same sinking feeling. 

Make no mistake, though, this team didn’t deserve to make the tournament. They had every opportunity and just couldn’t get the job done. Some of it was luck (e.g., Kansas, Michigan) but a lot of it was also a lack of talent. No reason whatsoever why this program should have two walk-ons in the rotation. Hopefully Gard remedies those deficiencies this offseason. His job likely depends on it. I continue to have no doubts about him as a coach, but that is only one part of the equation…

[MrTPlush]

21 minutes ago, bjkrautk said:

Weren't even one of the first four out.  Just a disappointing season all-around.

Considering how Kansas didn’t get much love with their bonkers Q1 wins, I’m guessing Wisconsin was quite out of it with all the Q1 wins people thought could carry Wisconsin into the bracket.

I wish they could just rank out past just 4 teams that missed.

[adambr2]

"Last 4 out" is dumb. 

It reminds me of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire when the host would force the contestant who decided to keep the money they had earned rather than risk it all on the next question to answer the question anyway just to ensure they could go home feeling bad about the money they settled for. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

So, Bradley on Tuesday night. I last recall them playing the Braves in an early-season tournament sometime around 1990. If they win those who care about this are expecting them to meet Villanova but I have a feeling It would be Liberty & they'll have to travel to Lynchburg.

[Jim French Stepstool]

3 hours ago, adambr2 said:

I hope they play in the NIT. It'd be good tournament experience for their underclassmen. I know this season is a big disappointment and the NIT is basically a swear word these days, but I'd take some enjoyment out of a deep NIT run.

Turning down a bid to this IMO would've been a bad look, not surprised they didn't go that route. A Fieldhouse appearance would be cool if they knew the attendance would be around two-thirds of a normal Kohl Center crowd, but they don't so they can't.

It's a basketball game. Win it, so you can get another one.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Yeah, looks like the bracketology crowd was right on re: Wisconsin and very wrong re: Rutgers.

I like Pikiell & the way he gets his kids to play. Having said that I've felt for a long time some media types really bend over backwards for that program, maybe due to the NY-area angle. I'll admit though, I thought they'd sneak in.

[MVP2110]

Does anyone know how they determine NIT seeding? Being a 3 seed behind Michigan, Colorado, Sam Houston St, and Liberty seems weird

[Jim French Stepstool]

18 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

Does anyone know how they determine NIT seeding? Being a 3 seed behind Michigan, Colorado, Sam Houston St, and Liberty seems weird

 They like to set up matches that will put butts in the seats if they can. Let's say UWM made it in, with UW. If they think that might draw a good crowd & one is a 2 seed they'll make the other a 7, even though that school might be deserving of a 6. In this case they might think Bradley brings a busload or two. I know the last time UW was in the NIT Illinois State brought a nice contingent of fans to Madison.

One interesting side note: Davian Hannah, who the Badgers are recruiting, will probably be in attendance. His big bro plays for Bradley.

[Brewcrew82]

Badgers are actually the 2 seed instead of Liberty. NCAA screwed up.

[CheeseheadInQC]

The one matchup where I can’t root for Wisconsin. Kind of have to cheer for the alma mater.

[MrTPlush]

#1 I don't think you could pay me to watch my team play in the NIT.

#2 The seeding rarely makes sense because as someone else said it is about making money. Reality is, it is a bunch of exhibition games. No need to make it out to be more than it is. I am pretty sure they were (or a different postseason tourney) was going to put in some crummy team because one of the kids is going to break the scoring record or something. They flat out just admit, yah, he would be a big draw. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, MrTPlush said:

#1 I don't think you could pay me to watch my team play in the NIT.

#2 The seeding rarely makes sense because as someone else said it is about making money. Reality is, it is a bunch of exhibition games. No need to make it out to be more than it is. I am pretty sure they were (or a different postseason tourney) was going to put in some crummy team because one of the kids is going to break the scoring record or something. They flat out just admit, yah, he would be a big draw. 

That was Detroit Mercy. A kid was on the verge of breaking Maravichs' record. On top of everything else, it would be accomplished playing a ton more games plus with the benefit of the 3PT shot & shot clock. The rumor of his team being invited was related to one of the other tourneys. I don't think the NIT was ever considering them.

We're going through some severe extended family issues right now, otherwise my wife & I would consider going on Tuesday. It's obviously a far cry from the NCAAs. But it's also a far cry from a late October game with UW-Eau Claire or some such, which are true exhibitions. Certainly nothing to get overly pumped about, but looking forward to seeing if they can at least finish the season on a higher note than when they left Chicago.

After witnessing the end of last football season, I'd plunk down money for this before I'd travel hundreds of miles to watch a low-level bowl game infested with opt-outs.

[Samurai Bucky]

3 hours ago, MrTPlush said:

#1 I don't think you could pay me to watch my team play in the NIT.

Things have certainly changed with the Wisconsin program.  I am happy to say that for 30 years, the program has been built up to have higher expectations.  However, this brings back some memories.

The year was 1989 and I was a sophomore in the Wisconsin band.  We were on our way back from a concert on a bus and were trying to find radio stations to see if the Badgers made the NCAA tournament.  I think I threw away my Bleacher Creatures t-shirt that might have been from that year with a picture of Dickie V on it saying the Badgers were going to make it to the postseason... "... and I don't mean the NIT, baby!"  While the fan base was disappointed, that they didn't make the big dance, they made the NIT -- the first postseason tournament since 1947.  19-freaking-47...  That was pretty cool.

Fast forward to 1994 where Stu Jackson coached the Badgers to their first NCAA tournament since '47.  Dude!  Seeing the Wisconsin name show up on the 9 line was so cool.  Everybody figured they were going to get kicked by Cincinnati in the first round.  No way!  That was incredible to even win an NCAA game.

While it is great that the expectations for the basketball program, or maybe even all of Wisconsin sports, the times I listed above are precious.  Perhaps, we are all spoiled... 😉  Those who are younger will experience it when the Brewers make it back to the World Series... and win it!!!!

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, Samurai Bucky said:

Things have certainly changed with the Wisconsin program.  I am happy to say that for 30 years, the program has been built up to have higher expectations.  However, this brings back some memories.

The year was 1989 and I was a sophomore in the Wisconsin band.  We were on our way back from a concert on a bus and were trying to find radio stations to see if the Badgers made the NCAA tournament.  I think I threw away my Bleacher Creatures t-shirt that might have been from that year with a picture of Dickie V on it saying the Badgers were going to make it to the postseason... "... and I don't mean the NIT, baby!"  While the fan base was disappointed, that they didn't make the big dance, they made the NIT -- the first postseason tournament since 1947.  19-freaking-47...  That was pretty cool.

Fast forward to 1994 where Stu Jackson coached the Badgers to their first NCAA tournament since '47.  Dude!  Seeing the Wisconsin name show up on the 9 line was so cool.  Everybody figured they were going to get kicked by Cincinnati in the first round.  No way!  That was incredible to even win an NCAA game.

While it is great that the expectations for the basketball program, or maybe even all of Wisconsin sports, the times I listed above are precious.  Perhaps, we are all spoiled... 😉  Those who are younger will experience it when the Brewers make it back to the World Series... and win it!!!!

One of the big bugaboos from the Yoder era.......winning B10 games on the road. Beat a Michigan State team that was 5-12 in the league in the finale & they probably make it in.

[Oxy]

This is going to be a strange watch tonight...I guess it is similar to games coming down the stretch in Brad's frosh year when they knew the season would end without a postseason...Although this is weirder since it IS the postseason...kind of.

Whatever happens in the first half, I expect the opposite to happen in the 2nd half, with UW losing a close one.

[patrickgpe]

EDIT, wrong thread

[Jim French Stepstool]

UW figured out some things defensively in the 2nd half, as they often do. Which they needed to. Bradley had more impressive weapons than I anticipated. 

This is what I think many expected from Crowl this season. Not scoring over 30 a game but finishing w/the added strength while keeping folks honest from 3 & hitting FTs. Nice to see the confidence grow as the game went on.

One of the things that'll be overlooked was the interior passing tonight. Wahl, Crowl & Gilmore were all outstanding with the extra pass.

If Davion Hannah has the skills & athleticism of his big bro with a little better control & decision-making, I'll take him.

[Samurai Bucky]

9 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

This is what I think many expected from Crowl this season. Not scoring over 30 a game but finishing w/the added strength while keeping folks honest from 3 & hitting FTs. Nice to see the confidence grow as the game went on.

His hands of stone were not as prevalent.  There were times where I saw him be more aggressive on the glass.  He needs to add 10-15 lbs.  That may be the thing that takes him over the top.

Quote

One of the things that'll be overlooked was the interior passing tonight. Wahl, Crowl & Gilmore were all outstanding with the extra pass.

It helps when somebody moves when they dump it to the post.  All year, we would see the man in the post pound the ball and nobody would move (sans the first Michigan game).  Perhaps they were doing it and I didn't see it during the year.

Essegian was brutal from the field, but got 14 points because he was 9-9 from the line.  His aggressiveness is a joy to watch.

I know we talked about it all year, but Wahl is not the same guy.  Perhaps it is the injury.  He only took 2 shots and the primary reason was probably because of Crowl.

The Liberty game will be interesting.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

His hands of stone were not as prevalent.  There were times where I saw him be more aggressive on the glass.  He needs to add 10-15 lbs.  That may be the thing that takes him over the top.

It helps when somebody moves when they dump it to the post.  All year, we would see the man in the post pound the ball and nobody would move (sans the first Michigan game).  Perhaps they were doing it and I didn't see it during the year.

Essegian was brutal from the field, but got 14 points because he was 9-9 from the line.  His aggressiveness is a joy to watch.

I know we talked about it all year, but Wahl is not the same guy.  Perhaps it is the injury.  He only took 2 shots and the primary reason was probably because of Crowl.

The Liberty game will be interesting.

Wahl had some foul trouble last nite, but you're right he's had an off-year. Don't know if the misses around the hoop can be attributed to health or not. I suspect he's somewhere south of 100% because his defense has run hot & cold, something you seldom see once a player establishes himself.

I LOVE the fact that Essegians' game has developed to the point where he can shoot so poorly from the field yet still find a way to score 14 points. Can't say enough about the versatility of his game.

Liberty is really, really experienced, which you usually see when a mid-major has a strong year. They make few mistakes & shoot very well from 3. Their guards are small, so any of our guards save for Mcgee might be able to exploit inside. They also aren't big across the front, but again very experienced. Unless we can turn off the faucet on their shooting from behind the arc I expect a close game.

They beat Bradley by 11 on a neutral floor.

[Oxy]

That was a fun game...Mcghee was fun to watch as long as Liberty was losing.

It's amazing what getting out of the B1G does for a teams 2FG%...that was a bugaboo all year and today Chucky, Crowl and Wahl just dominated inside, as they should have against an undersized mid major.

Klesmit was non-existant on offense for 38 minutes, then came up HUGE down the stretch.

Hopefully the starting 5 all come back next year to do something special.

[Brewcrew82]

3 hours ago, Oxy said:

That was a fun game...Mcghee was fun to watch as long as Liberty was losing.

It's amazing what getting out of the B1G does for a teams 2FG%...that was a bugaboo all year and today Chucky, Crowl and Wahl just dominated inside, as they should have against an undersized mid major.

Klesmit was non-existant on offense for 38 minutes, then came up HUGE down the stretch.

Hopefully the starting 5 all come back next year to do something special.

Yep. You can definitely see it when the starting 5 is all on the floor and healthy. What ultimately doomed them (and continues to hurt them) is lack of depth. Gilmore and Davis can't be your top reserves if you have designs on competing in the BIG and then in the NCAA tournament. Hopefully Gard is able to take care of that in the transfer portal. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

8 hours ago, Oxy said:

That was a fun game...Mcghee was fun to watch as long as Liberty was losing.

It's amazing what getting out of the B1G does for a teams 2FG%...that was a bugaboo all year and today Chucky, Crowl and Wahl just dominated inside, as they should have against an undersized mid major.

Klesmit was non-existant on offense for 38 minutes, then came up HUGE down the stretch.

Hopefully the starting 5 all come back next year to do something special.

They had a big advantage in strength & size not only with Crowl but at the guard spots. Credit the game plan w/ Hepburn taking advantage of that. That was a small team, but a very good one that played smart & made great decisions in the half court.

Klesmit will never garner all-whatever attention, but that kid is really underrated.

Great defensive possession late. They were able to switch everything with Crowl on the bench, Gilmore wound up on McGhee & just did a magnificent job forcing the tough shot.

Both teams combined for 14 turnovers for the game. Just really entertaining & well-played.