Well-traveled Lon Kruger and his UNLV Runnin’ Rebels stand between Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers’ fourth Sweet Sixteen in the last eight years. This afternoon in the United Center, UNLV will need to overcome the masses of red clad Wisconsin fans singing and dancing along with Bucky Badger. They’ll also need to overcome Wisconsin’s sense of purpose.
On the Ropes
And Wisconsin will need to overcome their penchant for slow starts. Fresh off a dispiriting performance in the Big Ten Tournament Championship to Ohio State one week ago, a season’s worth of respect and victories as well as their own expectations nearly went for naught on Friday afternoon for the Wisconsin Badgers against Texas-Corpus Christi. In its home away from home on 1901 West Madison, the Badgers were on the First Round NCAA ropes. But, having misfired on 21 of their first 24 shots, the Badgers did not lose their composure when confronted with adversity. Finding strength in each other and demonstrating well-earned confidence in their ballast and coach, the Badgers responded to an 18 point deficit by fighting, clawing and shooting their way back.
Through it all, they stayed within themselves and the Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Swing system. Unlike Ohio State, which needed a last second shot by Ron Lewis and one large missed shove to the chest by Greg Oden, the Badgers outscored Corpus Christi by 31 points over the last 25 minutes. Adversity confronted, faith resolved, perhaps, lesson learned.
Ryan the Ballast
Proving not all great coaches require a successful mentor, Hambone Bo Ryan served as an assistant coach under Steve Yoder at Wisconsin-Madison for eight years until 1984 when he was hired as head coach by Division III Wisconsin-Platteville. Taking over a program that was moribund, Ryan created from scratch the most powerful D III program in the Country. From 1984 to 1999, Platteville posted a 352-76 overall record, a winning percentage of 82%, 4 national championships (1991, 1995, 1998, 1999) and two undefeated seasons. D III or D I, those are some seriously great numbers that state very clearly, “Bo can coach.”
And Ryan hasn’t stumbled upon moving to Dane County. At Wisconsin-Madison, Ryan has built upon the foundation set by Dick Bennett and established a formidable program that competes year in and year out for the Conference Title. This season, led by seniors Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor, their aspirations include a National Championship. In order to get there, the Badgers will need Taylor to stay aggressive on offense. Most importantly though, the Badgers will need Tucker to play like an All-American.
This afternoon, the Badgers will have a full complement of players available for the first time in almost one month, as Brian Butch has been cleared to play. With Butch in the mix and the intangible contributions from versatile underclassmen Joe Krabbenhoft, Marcus Landry, Jason Bohanon, all of whom can dribble, pass, shoot, the Badgers have formidable depth.
An Elixir in Kruger
Since his ill-advised romance with the big money of the NBA, Kruger, as he did in a quick succession of stops from Kansas State to Florida to Illinois, has reinvigorated the UNLV basketball program. While owning a weak non-conference schedule where they lost to the Arizona and beat Texas Tech, Kruger has guided his senior laden team through the WAC and enters Sunday’s game with eight straight wins. The Rebels are streaking at the right time while the Badgers have been stumbling through their residency in the United Center.
While the Badgers have been tested all season, they have generally responded in kind, beating among 27 others, Ohio State, Pitt, and Marquette. UNLV will be yet another test, and one with the greatest consequence.
Tucker’s had a great career but he just faded down the stretch. Even though he got his points, he stopped making his teammates better. Today, they needed him to step up and he didn’t. It’s a disappointing way to end a terrific season, losing to Lon Kruger.
Left by junior on March 18th, 2007