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Big Ten: Wisconsin Badgers 2014-15 Season Preview

By AJ King

Mar 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers center Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) in the semifinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers center Frank Kaminsky (44) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) in the semifinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin Badgers enter 2014-15 as one of the favorites to win the Big Ten after they made a beeline to the Final Four a season ago.

It helps that Wisconsin returns four of its five starters from that run, including its seven-foot tank in the middle, Frank Kaminsky. The bruising big man has to be one of the most versatile players in the country with his ability to play inside and out. His virtuoso performance against top-seeded Arizona in the NCAA regional final — 28 points and 11 rebounds — notched him the West Regional Most Outstanding Player Award and sent his team to the Final Four.

Big Ten teams are shaking in their boots when they think about how to guard Wisconsin’s big man, who should be on the shortlist to be an All-American in 2014-15.

However, it’s what Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan can put around Kaminsky this season that is truly scary. Junior forward Sam Dekker is poised for a standout season after being named second team all-Big Ten in 2013-14. The 6’9″ wing averaged 12.4 points per game a season ago, and finished ninth in the Big Ten in rebounding at 9.1 rebounds per game.

Dekker could prove to be the team’s most important player once teams begin to key on Kaminsky in the middle. He has a great feel for the game and the ability to cut without the ball to get open space.

Wisconsin Badgers
Apr 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) dribbles past Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) int he second half during the semifinals of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The biggest staple of a Bo Ryan offense has always been the shooting, especially late in the shot clock. Wisconsin returns veteran guards Traevon Jackson and Josh Gasser to light it up from deep when the Badgers’ big men are being double teamed. Jackson is returning for his senior season with an attitude after he missed what would have been the game-winner against Kentucky in the Final Four. Meanwhile, Gasser brings instant offense from the three-point line, connecting on 43.1 percent of his shots from behind the arc in his junior season.

Super sophomore Nigel Hayes, a 6’7″ forward from Toledo, Ohio, might see some time in the starting lineup this season depending on how Ryan wants to run things. Hayes averaged 7.7 points per game in his freshman season in an average of just 17.4 minutes.

Ryan may need to push pace more like he did in the NCAA Tournament to take advantage of his team’s superior athleticism — something he is not used to having during his tenure in Madison.

Wisconsin will be challenged early when they face a revamped Duke team at home in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. We will know more then about the Badgers’ status as national title contenders, but on paper, Wisconsin looks like the favorites to represent the Big Ten in the Final Four once again.