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B1G STATEMENT Head coach Greg Gard and the Badgers were all smiles last week after Wisconsin traveled to Ohio State and knocked off the No. 5 Buckeyes, 61-47, on Friday. PHOTO BY TIM VENUS
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TAKE YOUR PIC Before they took the field for The Granddaddy of Them All, the Badgers took a team photo outside Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA
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CLUTCH CAITLIN Junior Caitlin Schneider lit up the arena with her excitement on Sunday night as she scored the game-winning goal in OT to lift No. 1 UW to a 4-3 win over No. 3 Northeastern. PHOTO BY JUSTIN BERL
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RALLY TIME Head coach Paul Chryst, RB Jonathan Taylor, C Tyler Biadasz, ILB Chris Orr and OLB Zack Baun took the stage at LA Live to fire up the crowd as part of the Badgers’ Rose Bowl pep rally on Dec. 30. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA
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SKATE WITH THE BADGERS Holiday lights, Bucky and hockey? Can’t be beat! Bucky Badger, the men’s hockey team and fans spent last Saturday evening skating together at The Edgewater Hotel in the team’s annual outing. PHOTO BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO
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CONTENTS
JANUARY 8, 2020 ▪ VOLUME 10, ISSUE 13
DAVID STLUKA
26 NEXT MEN UP With a number of key players — and personalities — off to the NFL, the Badgers will turn their attention to determining who emerges as leaders on and off the field for the 2020 season.
FEATURES 2
LUCAS AT LARGE
IN FOCUS
FINDING RHYTHM
16 LUCAS AT LARGE
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19 BY THE NUMBERS 20 WHAT TO WATCH 23 BADGERING
TIM VENUS
The Badgers’ trip to Ohio provided Micah Potter with a special visit back home and a big win for the team
25 VIRAL VIDEO BADGERING
23 ANNA MAKAROVA
37 INSIDE BASKETBALL 41 INSIDE HOCKEY 45 INSIDE WRESTLING
49 INSIDE TENNIS
DAVID STLUKA
47 INSIDE SWIM & DIVE
A long way from her home in Moscow, Russia, Anna Makarova has big plans for the spring season and the women’s tennis team 13
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LUCAS AT LARGE
BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER
Potter finding his rhythm as a Badger
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each other because he always former Dukie, RJ Barrett, has the top talent. the third overall pick “It was a great learning exin the 2019 NBA draft, perience … it got me ready for was Micah Potter’s teammate. college.” So was a former Terp, Bruno Potter was 17 when he left Fernando, a second-round draft home (Mentor, Ohio) and transchoice out of Maryland. So briefferred to Montverde for his ly was Anfernee Simons who senior year of high school. “It skipped college and went directwas tough because my family is ly to the league. super close,” he said. “But I knew It didn’t stop with the pros. I had to make the decision and Silvio De Sousa (Kansas), EJ Coach (Thad) Matta was very Montgomery (Kentucky), Howhelpful in getting me there.” ard Washington (Syracuse), Davonta Jordan (Buffalo) and Marcus Carr (Minnesota) were “EVERYONE, INCLUDING also among Potter’s teammates MYSELF, HOPES TO GET IN THERE at Montverde Academy, a prep AND JUST PLAY AT THE HIGHEST school in Central Florida, just LEVEL. NO MATTER WHAT outside of Orlando. LEVEL YOU’RE AT, IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED, AND YOU’RE “It’s like playing in college with ON A BRAND-NEW TEAM, IT’S all those guys playing high DiviGOING TO TAKE TIME TO FIND sion I basketball,” Potter recalled. YOUR RHYTHM AGAIN.” “That’s what you’d get every day in practice — in high school — it Matta was then the head was super helpful in my develcoach at Ohio State and one opment as a player getting me of his former Buckeye players, ready to play at the next level. D’Angelo Russell, had played at “But it was a big adjustment Montverde Academy. “That’s period for me. It took about where the connection came in,” three months to get used to the Potter said. “I went down and speed and physicality and anvisited and worked out and they other three months to become a said they wanted me.” good player at that level … pracPotter was a team MVP by the tices were super physical and sutime he left Montverde for Coper tough ... me and Bruno were lumbus, Ohio where he played guarding each other and pushing his freshman season for Matta. each other every day.” In early June of 2017, the BuckMontverde’s Kevin Boyle was eyes moved in another direction just named Max Prep’s Coach of and fired Matta. “I would have the Decade (2010-2020). “He never expected that to happen,” does a great job of teaching peoPotter said. “That started the ple,” Potter said, “and teaching whole process.” players how to get along with ▪▪▪▪ each other and how to play with
Last Friday morning, Potter sat in the lobby of Wisconsin’s hotel on the Ohio State campus. He was not far from Woody Hayes Drive and the Horseshoe (Ohio Stadium); not far from the Schottenstein Center and Value City Arena; not far from his old apartment. “A two-minute walk from here,” he said. The night before, the team ate at a Columbus steakhouse where Potter ran into a former Ohio State student trainer that had just gotten married. Earlier, he got a “Wish I could be there” text from the former director of the Buckeye NutHouse, the student cheering section at basketball games. “He works in Chicago now,” Potter said. Life moves on. As it has for Potter, now 21, now finally eligible with the Badgers. “I was not planning on leaving after he (Matta) left because I wanted to make it work because I grew up as an Ohio State fan,” Potter was saying. “But that (firing) changed everything. I tried to make it work for a year-and-ahalf (under a new coaching staff) and it didn’t work. “It’s definitely been a whirlwind the last couple of years and definitely not what I expected. I expected a little bit more solid ground, so to speak. But you know what? God has a reason for everything … you can see how it’s all coming to fruition and how it’s supposed to be right now.”
JOHN FISHER
The Badgers had just returned to the hotel after their morning shoot-around. “Every shot felt good because I’ve had thousands of shots in that arena,” he said. “The way the ball feels, the way the arena looks, I’m just so used to it because I lived here for practically three years. “This game has definitely been on my mind. But it’s a serious trip as any away game should be. We’re here to win a basketball game. It will be fun. I don’t know how the crowd is going to react. But the ‘W’ is the biggest thing. Just win.” The Badgers and Potter got what they came for — an upset win over No. 5 Ohio State. The students were still on holiday break. There was no pep band and little energy in the building. Potter played almost 11 minutes and had four points and three rebounds. He was the first UW player to score. “From my observations, I thought he handled it all really
well,” said Wisconsin coach Greg Gard. “There was nothing out of character or off track, just like how he has handled the past four or five months of us going through this whole appeal process (with the NCAA) to try and get the waiver. “He had a very mature approach. I talked to him a couple of times about it (returning to Columbus). But I wasn’t telling him anything that he hadn’t already thought himself in terms of keeping his emotions under control and just playing the game — controlling what you can control. “He had good support from his teammates as well,” continued Gard, who has slowly been implementing Potter into the rotation. “They kind of reiterated the same things, ‘Hey, let’s just go play the game and not get caught up in the emotional things that can be attached to a situation like this.’” A self-described “big rela-
tionship guy,” the homecoming couldn’t have gone any better for Potter who had friends and family supporting him at the game, including his “little” brother Noah (6-foot-6, 262), a highly-regarded freshman defensive end for the Ohio State football team. “Seeing all these people,” he said, “and relationships that I developed while I was here — and even the relationships I’ve developed at Wisconsin in the short time I’ve been there — having the connections everywhere is super special to me and I’m super thankful for all of them.” Potter admitted that his earlier transition as a transfer from Mentor to Montverde has made this transition easier. But he’s still getting up to “game speed” after a long layoff (92 weeks, 644 days) between his final game appearance with the Buckeyes and his first with the Badgers (Dec. 21). Click to read more »
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ONE CALL... THAT’S ALL!
PROUD PARTNER OF WISCONSIN ATHLETICS
ACCIDENTS | INJURIES
BY THE NUMBERS TOM LYNN
6,174
WOMEN’S HOCKEY ▶ The Badgers are the quickest team to 20 wins this season in NCAA ice hockey and also secured their 10th-straight 20-win season.
TIM VENUS
◀ MEN’S BASKETBALL Since taking over as head coach in 2015, Greg Gard has guided Wisconsin to eight wins over teams ranked in the AP Top 10, including five wins over AP Top 5 teams (most in the Big Ten).
DAVID STLUKA
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KAI MARTIN
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ▶ Imani Lewis recorded her 11th career double-double against Penn State with 23 points and 14 rebounds, her sixth overall and fourth consecutive this season.
◀ FOOTBALL Jonathan Taylor rushed for a remarkable 6,174 rushing yards, the sixth-highest total in FBS history, in just three seasons. Taylor declared this week for the 2020 NFL Draft.
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WHAT TO WATCH USA TODAY
PRIME TIME
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. ILLINOIS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 ▪ 8PM KOHL CENTER ▪ BTN Returning home on a four-game win streak, Wisconsin hosts Illinois on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Watch the Badgers face the Illini at 8 p.m. live on Big Ten Network.
buy tickets
TEALIN ROBI NSON
HIT THE MATS
WRESTLING AT MINNESOTA FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 ▪ 8PM MINNEAPOLIS ▪ BTN No. 9 Wisconsin travels to Minneapolis for a Border Battle dual against No. 3 Minnesota. The Badgers take on the Golden Gophers at 8 p.m. live on Big Ten Network.
TOM LYNN
DROP THE PUCK
MEN’S HOCKEY VS. OHIO STATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 ▪ 8PM KOHL CENTER ▪ ESPNU Wisconsin returns to regular-season action against No. 8 Ohio State this Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center. Catch the Badgers on Friday at 8 p.m. on ESPNU and on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus.
buy tickets 20
WEDNESDAY 1/8 MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Illinois Madison, Wis. 8 p.m. Watch: BTN Buy tickets »
THURSDAY 1/9 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7 p.m. Watch: BTN+ WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Hawaii Manoa, Hawaii All day
SUNDAY 1/12 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Michigan State East Lansing, Mich. 2 p.m. Watch: BTN+
MONDAY 1/13
FRIDAY 1/10
SATURDAY 1/11
WOMEN’S HOCKEY at Bemidji State Bemidji, Minn. 6 p.m. Watch: FloHockey
MEN’S BASKETBALL at #20 Penn State University Park, Pa. 1:15 p.m. Watch: BTN
MEN’S HOCKEY vs. #8 Ohio State Madison, Wis. 8 p.m. Watch: ESPNU Buy tickets »
WOMEN’S HOCKEY at Bemidji State Bemidji, Minn. 3 p.m. Watch: FloHockey
WRESTLING at #3 Minnesota Minneapolis 8 p.m. Watch: BTN
MEN’S HOCKEY vs. #8 Ohio State Madison, Wis. 7 p.m. Watch: ESPNU Buy tickets »
WOMEN’S TENNIS at Metroplex Mania Dallas All day
MEN’S TENNIS at Miami Invitational Miami All day
View more 1/10 events »
View more 1/11 events »
TUESDAY 1/14
WEDNESDAY 1/15
MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. #12 Maryland Madison, Wis. 8 p.m. Watch: ESPN/ESPN2 Buy tickets »
WRESTLING vs. #7 Nebraska Madison, Wis. 2 p.m. Watch: BTN+ Buy tickets » WOMEN’S TENNIS at Metroplex Mania Dallas All day MEN’S TENNIS at Miami Invitational Miami All day
ALL TIMES CENTRAL
VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »
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BADGERING...
ANNA MAKAROVA
WOMEN’S TENNIS ▪ JUNIOR ▪ MOSCOW, RUSSIA
BY VICTORIA DOMBECK ▪ UW BRAND COMMUNICATIONS
Anna Makarova is a junior transfer from James Madison University. She is originally from Moscow, Russia. This is only her second year as a part of the Wisconsin women’s tennis team, but Anna says she’s been playing tennis since she was 7 years old. The 5-foot-9 right-hander says growing up, she tried ballet, but ended up being too active and energetic, so she took up tennis to use up all that extra energy and excitement. For Makarova to be playing since such a young age, the sport of tennis has given her numerous memories in her life, but according to her, one more recent memory proves her favorite. “Competing at the NCAA tournament last summer,” Makarova said when asked about her favorite tennis memory. “To see how much my team progressed through the year and that all the hard work that we put in payed off.” As part of the four Badgers returning from last season’s NCAA berth, Makarova and this Badger team know what it takes to make it to the national tournament again. Making the tournament two years in a row is a goal on every player’s mind, but Makarova doesn’t just want to make the tournament. “[I want] to advance to the NCAA second round,” Anna said. Makarova holds her teammates very close to her and although the fall season is complete for 2019, the team portion of the year in spring dual play is just starting. She knows her team can be successful by building on each other’s strengths come spring. “Diversity,” Makarova said. “We are all so different, from different countries, states and backgrounds. I think that’s what makes us special because we bring our own unique piece.” Makarova even brings diversity into her hobbies and career aspirations outside of tennis. She is planning on double majoring in Retail & Consumer Behavior and Chinese. She says she loves the Chinese culture and would love to work at an international organization connected to Chinese retailers. As for how tennis will help her achieve these aspirations, Makarova said, “Tennis taught me discipline and stress resilience, which are really important for a student-athlete.” Being a transfer student-athlete on top of it all, Makarova took some time adjusting to Wisconsin’s campus, but according to her, she was able to spend the summer in Madison this year and she fell in love with the city, especially the lakes. The University of Wisconsin has been a place for Makarova to grow, learn both on the court and off and being a Badger is something special. “Being a Badger means to be passionate about what you do, make smart decisions and compete all in, the whole time.” ▪
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VIRAL VIDEO
LEWIS, BEVERLEY LEAD BADGERS PAST PENN STATE UP NEXT:
WISCONSIN BASKETBALL: TOP PLAYS VS OSU
JUMP AROUND WITH CHRIS BONO
FOLLOW THE BADGERS â–¶
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TOM LYNN
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WITH A N U MBE R O F KEY PL AYERS — AND PERSONAL ITIES — OFF TO TH E N F L, T H E BA DGERS W IL L TURN THEIR ATTENTI O N TO DE T E R MIN IN G WHO EMERGES AS L EADERS ON AND O F F T H E F IE L D FOR THE 2 0 2 0 SEASON.
DAVID STLUKA
GARRETT GROSHEK
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hey have been standard-bearers, difference-makers, alpha dogs. They have been the faces of the Wisconsin offense and defense. An elite tailback. A tenacious center. An acrobatic receiver. A tireless edge rusher. A relentless inside linebacker. Those who break tackles. Those who make tackles. Jonathan Taylor. Tyler Biadasz. Quintez Cephus. Zack Baun. Chris Orr. Taylor, Biadasz and Cephus, all juniors, have declared for the NFL draft. Baun and Orr, both fifth-year seniors, have exhausted their eligibility. They have each left behind their own legacy while raising the bar — none higher than Taylor, who rushed for more yards (6,174) during his three seasons with the Badgers than anyone in FBS history. “I’ve said it before and I will say it again, if there was a Mount Rushmore (of tailbacks), he’d
be on it. He has been a great ambassador for the football program as a whole and the University of Wisconsin by the way he carries himself and the way people perceive him.” said John Settle, the UW running backs coach. “People who meet him feel like they have a friend for life … the relationships that JT has forged over the last three years will carry him a long way. “The thing that everybody understands is that it will be more of a collective effort now (without Taylor). It’s going to take all of us to use our talents to the best of our abilities to make up for the loss of JT.” From a leadership standpoint, Settle has already challenged tailback Garrett Groshek and fullback Mason Stokke to help fill the void. Both will be fifth-year seniors next season. “I told them, ‘It’s time for you to take it over,’” Settle said. “I’ve talked to them about addressing certain things, certain issues with the group because we don’t have the luxury of having JT back in the spring.”
Jim Leonhard can relate to what Settle was “As a freshman, there’s a lot of information saying in the absence of Baun and Orr. coming at us. We see all these different keys “Those are some big shoes to fill,” said the and indicators, with all these different plays, UW defensive coordinator. “But we’ve been and when you’re thinking too much, you’re fortunate to have success with the ‘next man hesitating. You have to let it loose and be conup’ kind of mentality from fident.” year to year. They don’t Chenal also went to have to replace those “I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GROUP school on Sanborn, the guys. They don’t have to Badgers’ leading tackler. AND THE COMPETITION THAT’S GOING TO BE provide the same things. “Jack is cool to learn CREATED THIS OFFSEASON TO MAKE SURE It’s a group effort. from because he came in THOSE GUYS STEP UP IN THE RIGHT WAYS.” “There are going to be as a true freshman and new faces on the field and he was getting reps,” said there will be guys in expanded roles that we’re Chenal, retracing his own path. “How he caught going to be counting on to make big plays. Part on really fast helped me and I kind of looked of my job as the coordinator is to find the talup to him because he knew a lot of stuff right ent and to use it to the best of their abilities. off the bat. They’ve been like older brothers to “I have a lot of confidence in the group and me.” the competition that’s going to be created this offseason to make sure those guys MASON STOKKE step up in the right ways.” When Orr left the Big Ten Championship Game in the second quarter with an injury, Leo Chenal, a true freshman, took over at inside linebacker alongside sophomore Jack Sanborn. “We’re always taught we have to be ready to step up whenever it comes time,” said Chenal, who had four tackles against Ohio State. “That was a reality check for me, a big eye-opener. Playing on a big stage like that, it was really cool for me to get the opportunity. But I hated to see a teammate go down.” Since last spring, Chenal, an early enrollee, has tried to be a sponge around Orr. In absorbing everything, he recognized, “As athletic as he is, and all the instincts that he has, I think he’s the smartest player I’ve ever seen. He has so much to say about the game and learning from him is huge. A big thing that I took away was not to think as much.
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TOM LYNN
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He was talking about Orr and Sanborn, which learned to understand that every single rep is would technically give him three “older brothvaluable. And with every rep, you can grow beers” on the team, since his older sibling, John cause you’re always in competition with other Chenal, is a sophomore fullback. “Obviously, people.” we’re on different sides of the ball,” Leo said Spring practice will be a proving ground for of John, “but he was always giving me advice young and old alike as the competition is rewhenever I needed it.” newed within every When asked in Pasposition group. Mike adena whether he still Maskalunas, who will “AS A FRESHMAN, THERE’S A LOT OF felt like a freshman — be a fifth-year senior, INFORMATION COMING AT US. WE SEE ALL THESE given that he had apand Chenal were the DIFFERENT KEYS AND INDICATORS, WITH ALL second-teamers to peared in 10 games THESE DIFFERENT PLAYS, AND WHEN YOU’RE Sanborn and Orr from and collected 20 tackTHINKING TOO MUCH, YOU’RE HESITATING. the start of training les as Orr’s backup and YOU HAVE TO LET IT LOOSE AND BE CONFIDENT.” camp through the enon special teams — the tire season. 19-year-old Chenal While redshirting, Maema Njongmeta, a true grinned and said, “I get reminded every day.” freshman, got valuable reps assimilating LeonThere’s another fundamental truth that he hard’s defense by practicing with the inside has filed away. linebacker rotation. “Never take any rep for granted,” Chenal Besides losing Orr in the Big Ten title game, said. “The season is a lot longer than high the Badgers also played without starting outschool and it’s easy to get complacent. But I’ve
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JOHN & LEO CHENAL
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always competing, though, and it’s open to anybody. We all have to work our butts off and see how it goes.” Baun was a good role model for Burks. “Watching Zack’s development, you definitely saw a huge step from his junior and senior years,” said Burks, who will be a fifth-year senior. “We’ve talked about that — how much he has changed as a person and how much he has developed, so I know making that jump is really a big thing. “But it just doesn’t happen. You’ve got to put the work in, and he did that. “I’m really happy for him, and really happy for what’s next, too.” Baun sat out the 2017 season because of a foot injury. During that time, Burks saw side linebacker Noah Burks, who was injured how he attacked his training, most notably his on Ohio State’s first offensive possession. In upper body, out of necessity. “The next couthe regular-season meeting against the Buckple of years, you saw his development from eyes, Burks had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for the weight room really transfer to the football loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks. field,” he said. Is Burks ready now to As for his own timeline in take the baton from Baun? terms of getting stronger, “I’d love to,” he said. “We’ll the 6-foot-2, 240-pound “NEVER TAKE ANY REP FOR GRANTED. see what happens.” Burks said, “Obviously, I’m WITH EVERY REP, YOU CAN GROW Reminded of the playstill working to get those BECAUSE YOU’RE ALWAYS IN makers preceding him at huge gains, trying to get my COMPETITION WITH OTHER PEOPLE.” the position — from Joe strength to that next level, Schobert to Vince Biegel to too, to hopefully make a T.J. Watt to Leon Jacobs to Garret Dooley to bigger impact and noticeable difference.” Andrew Van Ginkel to Baun — Burks would like Where can Burks be physically next year? “I to believe that he’s next in line to carry on that have no idea, but it’s exciting for sure because tradition. “It certainly does feel that way.” you really don’t know, there’s so much I have Knowing that everything will have to be to work on,” he said. “So, I really can’t answer earned, not inherited, he emphasized, “We’re that question. One of the big areas I want to NOAH BURKS
DAVID STLUKA
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work on is my pass rush, I want to get a lot better with my hands.” Baun went from 15 tackles in 2016 to not playing in ’17 to 63 tackles (7.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) as a first-time starter in 2018 to 76 tackles (19.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks) as a consensus first-team All-American this season. Only Ohio State’s Chase Young had more sacks in the Big Ten than Baun. Now follow Burks’ development: he went from four tackles in both 2017 and 2018 to 36 tackles (7.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks and a pick-six) this season. In the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon, he was Wisconsin’s second-leading tackler (behind Sanborn) with seven stops and 1.5 TFLs. “From last year to where I am today, I feel like my confidence has just grown tremendously,” Burks said. “I really feel like I’m in control out there. Getting the game experience is really more valuable than anything, and with that your confidence grows.” The Badgers have some intriguing outside
linebacker prospects based on body type and length in 6-foot-6, 221-pound Izayah GreenMay and 6-4, 222 Jaylan Franklin. Both got a small taste of playing time earlier this season. Both had sacks in the season opener at South Florida. “Those guys have potential through the roof especially with the frames that they have and their bodies,” Burks said. “It’s exciting to watch them develop and work every day.” True frosh Spencer Lytle is also waiting in the wings after redshirting. On whether Burks is prepared to be more of a leader, he said, “I would say I’m ready for that role. There’s a standard in our room that has been set. My job is to make sure that everyone understands that standard and how we’re going to come out and go to work every single day. “I will absolutely keep that going and I don’t think I’ll have any trouble stepping up and being more vocal to the guys in our room and anywhere else that needs to be addressed.” DAVID STLUKA
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▪▪▪▪ n Monday, Cephus, UW’s leading receiver, made his intention known that he would be following his NFL dream. He finished the season with a flourish against the toughest teams on the schedule: Minnesota (5 catches for 114 yards), Ohio State (7 for 122 yards) and Oregon (7 for 59). Cephus stretched defenses with his speed, won jump balls in the secondary with his athleticism and blocked his fanny off for Taylor and the other running backs with his tenacious attitude. After not playing in 2018, he was catalyst on the field and in the locker room with his infectious spirit and energy. Without Cephus (59 catches for 901 yards), Jonathan Taylor (26 for 252) and A.J. Taylor (23 for 267), the Badgers will look for more production out of returning wide receivers Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz (not to mention tight end Jake Ferguson). Taj Mustapha, A.J. Abbott, Stephan Bracey, among others, will likely get a chance to get into the mix during spring ball. A wild card
could be Isaac Guerendo, who has gotten reps at receiver and tailback, which obviously will be the most scrutinized position group with Taylor’s departure. (Not far behind will be the offensive line, which must replace a unanimous first-team All-American in Biadasz, who started all 41 games of the last three seasons at center. The tackles return in Logan Bruss and Cole Van Lanen, but there will be much to sort out on the interior for O-line coach Joe Rudolph.) What will Groshek miss the most about Taylor, the two-time Doak Walker Award winner? Outside of the obvious — “It’s hard to replace the greatest running back in college football,” he acknowledged — Groshek underlined Taylor’s consistency and character. “There’s never really an off-day with JT,” he said “or something that bothers him to where he lets it show or anything like that, whether it’s his preparation, his hard work or how he treats people … It’s something that separates him from a lot of people.” On many layers, Groshek will be an integral component in Settle’s rotation.
“Honestly, he’s another coach on the field,” said. “The big thing is that he’s really starting Settle said. “Being a former quarterback, he to trust himself and understand the playbook. understands and studies the game like a coach. He’s starting to learn some of the little things He understands our ready list, our call sheet, that can help him.” how things are supposed to sound. I describe During bowl practices, Settle pointed out him as a Swiss Army knife. He knows everythat he saw some positive things from freshthing he needs to know. man Julius Davis, who nursed a core injury “He’s a great guy to have in the classroom. most of the season. “He has quickness, great He’s that buffer between balance,” he said. “And me as a coach and the he plays with his pads players. He has a great over his toes, which al“BUT JT SAID IT ALL THE TIME, ‘THE STANDARD work ethic and he’s one lows him to run out of a IS THE STANDARD.’ BETWEEN ALL OF US IN of our most dependable lot of tackles.” THAT ROOM, WE’RE GOING TO FULFILL THAT players.” In sum, Taylor had STANDARD AND KEEP IT RIGHT WHERE IT IS.” Groshek was the 246 more carries than team’s fourth leading anybody else in 2019, receiver with 29 catches, including the lonsignaling a new era in 2020. gest pass completion of the season, a 70-yard “But JT said it all the time, ‘The standard is catch-and-run against Minnesota. He was also the standard,’” Groshek volunteered. “Between the third leading rusher behind Taylor and redall of us in that room, we’re going to fulfill that shirt freshman Nakia Watson, who ran for 331 standard and keep it right where it is.” yards and two scores. A theme that will also have resonance for the “Nakia was starting to come on,” Groshek offensive line, wide receivers and linebackers.
“
NAKIA WATSON
DAVID STLUKA
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INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (9-5, 2-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 17 Marquette
W, 77-61
Nov. 21 Green Bay
W, 88-70
at Legends Classic, Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Nov. 25 vs. Richmond
L, 52-62
Nov. 26 vs. New Mexico L, 50-59 Dec. 4
at NC State
Dec. 7
Indiana
L, 54-69 W, 84-64
Dec. 11 at Rutgers
L, 65-72
Dec. 21 Milwaukee
W, 83-64
Dec. 28 at Tennessee W, 68-48 Dec. 31 Rider ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Basketball: Top Plays vs OSU
THIS WEEK Winners of four straight, including a win at No. 5 Ohio State last Friday, Wisconsin (9-5 Overall, 2-1 B1G) hosts Illinois on Wednesday at 8 p.m. before facing Penn State on the road Saturday. LAST WEEK Led by 17 points and nine rebounds from Nate Reuvers, plus a spirited, all-around effort from Tyler Wahl off the bench, the Badgers knocked off No. 5 Ohio State, 61-57, in Columbus last Friday night.
GOOD TO KNOW Since taking over as head coach, Greg Gard has guided Wisconsin to eight wins over teams ranked in the AP Top 10, including five wins over AP Top 5 teams (most in the Big Ten). Of those eight top10 wins, five have come away from home, including last Friday’s win at No. 5 Ohio State. NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin’s game against Illinois tips at 8 p.m. Wednesday on BTN. Saturday’s contest at Penn State begins at 1:15 p.m. (CT) on BTN. All radio broadcasts can be heard on the Badger Sports Network. Follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter for updates.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Lucas: ‘When we seize the momentum, we have to keep it’
W, 65-37
Jan. 3
at #5 Ohio St. W, 61-57
Jan. 8
Illinois
Jan. 11
at #20 Penn St. 1:15 p.m.
Jan. 14
#12 Maryland
Jan. 17
at #8 Michigan St. 6 p.m.
Jan. 21
Nebraska
8 p.m.
Jan. 24
at Purdue
6 p.m.
Jan. 27
at Iowa
Feb. 1
#8 Michigan St. 12 p.m.
8 p.m. 8 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Back to Big Ten play with a B1G win ▶ Happy New Year! Badgers close 2019 with win
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INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (9-5, 1-2) Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 17 Milwaukee
W, 71-40
Nov. 26 Eastern Illinois W, 63-55 at Bahamas Hoopfest, Nassau, Bahamas:
Nov. 29 vs. Ball State
W, 67-56
Nov. 30 vs. #25 Arkansas L, 64-68 Dec. 5
at Georgia Tech L, 41-60
Dec. 8
at N. Dakota St. W, 64-63
Dec. 12 Alabama State W, 85-67 Dec. 20 Prairie View A&M W, 68-42
THIS WEEK The Badgers (9-5 Overall, 1-2 B1G) head to Nebraska for their second Big Ten road game on Thursday, Jan. 9. The team stays on the road to face Michigan State on Sunday, Jan. 12. LAST WEEK Wisconsin defeated Penn State 71-65 at home on Saturday. Sophomore Imani Lewis earned her fourth consecutive double-double in the win. Only four other Badgers have ever had four or more consecutive double-doubles in the history of the program.
GOOD TO KNOW There are two more community days this month. Monroe community day will take place during Wisconsin’s home game against Michigan on Jan. 16 and Verona community day on Jan. 19 when the Badgers take on the Hawkeyes. NEED TO KNOW Follow @BadgerWBB on Twitter for in-game live tweets, score updates and other news.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Wisconsin hands loss to Lady Lions
L, 61-64
Dec. 31 at Purdue
L, 61-72
Jan. 4
Penn State
Jan. 9
at Nebraska
Jan. 12
at Michigan State 1 p.m.
Jan. 16
#24 Michigan
7 p.m.
Jan. 19
Iowa
2 p.m.
Jan. 22
at Minnesota
7 p.m.
Jan. 25
Nebraska
Jan. 30
at #12 Indiana
6 p.m.
Feb. 2
at Illinois
2 p.m.
Feb. 6
Minnesota
7 p.m.
Feb. 9
at Ohio State
1 p.m.
W, 71-65 7 p.m.
TOM LYNN
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Lewis, Beverley Lead Badgers Past Penn State
Dec. 28 Rutgers
11 a.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day ▶ Wisconsin falls to Purdue
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SCHEDULE (7-10-1, 2-7-1-1)
GREG ANDERSON
INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 8
at #20 Omaha
W, 5-2
Nov. 9
at #20 Omaha
L, 2-5
Nov. 15 #4 Notre Dame W, 3-0 Nov. 16 #4 Notre Dame L, 4-5 OT Nov. 22 at Minnesota
L, 1-4
Nov. 23 at Minnesota
T, 3-3 OT
Nov. 30 Michigan
W, 3-2
Dec. 1
Michigan
L, 1-3
Dec. 6
at Michigan St.
L, 0-3
Dec. 7
at Michigan St. L, 4-5 OT
Jan. 1 vs. U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition) W, 3-2 ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badger Hockey Digest - 1st Half Top 10 - 12-21-19
THIS WEEK Wisconsin (7-10-1, 2-7-1-1 B1G) returns to regular-season action for the first time in over a month when eighthranked Ohio State (13-5-2, 6-3-1 Big Ten) visits the Kohl Center for games on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m.
at the break are the most for a Badger since the 2011–12 season when Justin Schultz (28 points) and Mark Zengerle (27) did so in 18 games. His 12 goals are the most since senior Blake Geoffrion had 14 during his 2009–10 Hobey Baker Award-winning season.
LAST WEEK Wisconsin skated last Wednesday, Jan. 1 in an exhibition contest against the U.S. Under-18 Team, claiming a 3-2 victory in Plymouth, Michigan.
NEED TO KNOW Friday’s game airs on ESPNU, while Saturday can be seen on FOX Sports Wisconsin Plus. Both games can be heard on the radio on 1310 WIBA, across the state on Badger Sports Network and on the iHeartRadio app. Follow along @BadgerMHockey on Twitter for updates.
GOOD TO KNOW Freshman forward Cole Caufield’s 20 points in 18 games RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers start 2020 off with exhibition win
Plymouth, Mich.
Jan. 10
#8 Ohio State
8 p.m.
Jan. 11
#8 Ohio State
7 p.m.
Jan. 17
#20 Michigan St. 8 p.m.
Jan. 18
#20 Michigan St. 7 p.m.
Jan. 24
at #14 Notre Dame 6 p.m.
Jan. 25
at #14 Notre Dame 5 p.m.
Jan. 31
Minnesota
7 p.m.
Feb. 1
Minnesota
8 p.m.
Feb. 7
at Michigan
5 p.m.
Feb. 8
at Michigan
6:30 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Blackhawks to honor Madison’s Burish with 'One More Shift' ▶ Four Badgers named to U.S. National Junior Team
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SCHEDULE (20-1-1, 10-1-1)
JUSTIN BERL
INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 16 Minnesota State W, 3-2 Nov. 17 Minnesota State W, 6-1 Nov. 22 at St. Cloud State W, 5-3 Nov. 23 at St. Cloud State W, 6-2 at Country Classic, Nashville, Tenn.:
Nov. 29 vs. Harvard
W, 5-1
Nov. 30 vs. #8 Boston College W, 5-3 Dec. 6
#10 Minn. Duluth W, 4-3
Dec. 7
#10 Minn. Duluth W, 5-2
at Battle at the Burgh, Pittsburgh:
THIS WEEK The top-ranked Badgers (201-1, 10-1-1-0 WCHA) resume conference play with a trip to Bemidji, Minnesota to take on Bemidji State. Puck drop on Friday is at 6 p.m. while Saturday’s game starts at 3 p.m.
on Sunday thanks to Caitlin Schneider’s game-winner.
LAST WEEK UW opened 2020 by winning the Battle at the Burgh tournament. Wisconsin defeated Robert Morris, 3-1, on Saturday before topping No. 3 Northeastern, 4-3, in OT
NEED TO KNOW Both games this weekend will be streamed live on FloHockey ($) and fans can also follow the action on Twitter (BadgerWHockey).
GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers open the second half of conference play at the top of the WCHA standings with 31 points.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Battle at the Burgh Champs: Badgers triumph over Huskies
Jan. 4
vs. Robert Morris W, 3-1
Jan. 5
vs. #3 Northeastern W,
4-3 OT
Jan. 10
at Bemidji State
6 p.m.
Jan. 11
at Bemidji State
3 p.m.
Jan. 24
#2 Minnesota
7 p.m.
Jan. 25
#2 Minnesota
3 p.m.
Feb. 1
St. Cloud State
3 p.m.
Feb. 2
St. Cloud State
2 p.m.
Feb. 7
at Minnesota St. 2 p.m.
Feb. 8
at Minnesota St. 2 p.m. View full schedule/results »
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Roque named WCHA Forward of the Month ▶ First-ever 'Battle at the Burgh' tournament a huge success
43
INSIDE WRESTLING SCHEDULE (7-1, 0-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. at Battle on the Midway, San Diego:
Nov. 1
vs. Fresno State W, 31-8
vs. Army
W, 16-15
vs. Navy
W, 24-12
Nov. 7
at Buffalo
W, 33-3
Nov. 8
at Edinboro
W, 28-15
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Jump Around Monday With Chris Bono (1/6/20)
THIS WEEK No. 9 Wisconsin (7-1, 0-1 B1G) competes in two Big Ten duals this weekend. On Friday night, the Badgers compete in a Border Battle at No. 4 Minnesota (5-3, 0-0) at 8 p.m. from Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis. On Sunday, the Badgers return home to the UW Field House to host No. 5 Nebraska (5-0, 0-0) at 2 p.m. Both matches air live on the Big Ten Network. LAST WEEK Wisconsin competed at the 57th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. The team took fourth overall at the elite tournament. Seth Gross was the 133-pound champion, beating the No. 1 and and No. 3 wrestlers in his weight class. Trent Hillger and Evan Wick each took third while Tristan Moran came in
sixth and Johnny Sebastian took eighth. GOOD TO KNOW Redshirt seniors Seth Gross and Tristan Moran each notched their 100th career wins at Midlands. At 141 pounds, Moran got his 100th collegiate victory over Troy Stanich from Steven’s Institute in a 4-3 decision. Gross notched win No. 100 with a technical fall over UNC’s Joey Heilmann. NEED TO KNOW The Badgers make two appearances on the Big Ten Network this weekend as both matches air live. Sunday’s match will also be heard in the Madison area on The Zone (96.7FM/1670AM). Follow @BadgerWrestling on Twitter and Instagram.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Gross’s championship earns him B1G Wrestler of the Week
Dec. 1
at #1 Iowa
Dec. 7
at Cougar Clash
Edwardsville, Ill.
Dec. 19 Kent State
L, 3-32
STACY SCHIESL
Nov. 23 at #18 Utah Valley W, 31-13
Results »
W, 42-6
Dec. 29-30
at Midlands Championships Results »
Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Jan. 10
at #3 Minnesota 8 p.m.
Jan. 12
#7 Nebraska
2 p.m.
Jan. 17
#4 Ohio State
7 p.m.
Jan. 31
at Indiana
6 p.m.
Feb. 2
at #6 Purdue
Feb. 7
#2 Penn State
TBA 8 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Back on Top: Gross wins championship over No. 1 DeSanto ▶ Midlands Mayhem: Badgers have four competing for titles
45
INSIDE WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE (2-1, 1-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Oct. 4
Green Bay
Oct. 25 at Virginia Nov. 8
W, 219-74 L, 124-193
at Minnesota W, 177-123
Nov. 21-23 at NC State/GAC Fall Invitational Greensboro, N.C. Results » Dec. 4-7
at Toyota U.S. Open
Atlanta
Jan. 9
at Hawaii
Jan. 25
Northwestern
Feb. 2
Badger Red/White Meet
Feb. 19-22 at Big Ten Championships
Iowa City, Iowa
Mar. 4-6 at NCAA Zone Diving Championships
Dallas
THIS WEEK Wisconsin travels to Manoa, Hawaii, on Thursday, Jan. 9, to compete against the University of Hawaii. LAST TIME OUT The Badgers placed fifth in North Carolina at the NC State/GAC Fall Invitational in Greensboro in November. Since then, several members of the team competed in Atlanta, Georgia, in December for USA Swimming’s Toyota U.S. Open. RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ One day down, two to go
GOOD TO KNOW National leader Beata Nelson currently holds the top times in the NCAA in the 200 Individual Medley, 100 and 200 Back. She is also currently ranked fifth in the 100 Fly.
TOM LYNN
Mar. 18-21 at NCAA Championships Athens, Ga.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow along by following @BadgerSwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers take down Minnesota ▶ Finishing up in Greensboro
47
INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 1-4 at Big Ten Individual Championships Lincoln, Neb. Results » Nov. 6-10
at Oracle ITA Fall National Championships
Newport Beach, Calif.
Nov. 8-10
at Minnesota Invitational Results »
Minneapolis
Jan. 10-12 at Miami Invitational
LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin finished off fall play at the Gopher Invitational in Minneapolis, where the pair of Scott Sculley and Lenard Soha were the runners-up in doubles play.
GOOD TO KNOW After the conclusion of the Miami Invitational, Wisconsin will begin team play in a 12-match homestand at Nielsen Tennis Center.
Jan. 18
Illinois State 11 a.m. Chicago State 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 24
DePaul
Jan. 26
North Dakota 11 a.m. Northern Illinois 4 p.m.
Jan. 31
Princeton
6 p.m.
Feb. 1
Green Bay IUPUI
1 p.m. 6 p.m.
Feb. 6
Marquette
5:30 p.m.
Feb. 11
USC
5:30 p.m.
DAVID STLUKA
THIS WEEK The Badgers return to the courts this Friday to open the spring season with their final weekend of individual play. UW will head to sunny Florida to compete in the Miami Invitational.
Miami
6 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Follow along with the Badgers on Twitter (@BadgerMTennis) and find results on UWBadgers.com after each day of competition.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Rajpal to join Badgers next season
FOLLOW US:
▶ Closing out the fall season ▶ Badgers conclude play at Big Ten Individual Championships
49
INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 1-3
at Roberta Alison Fall Classic Results »
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Nov. 8-10 at FSU All-Conference Results » Showdown
Tallahassee, Fla.
Jan. 10-12 at Metroplex Mania
Dallas
at ITA Kickoff Weekend, Columbia, S.C.:
LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin wrapped up the fall season at the Florida State All-Conference Showdown in November. Both seniors, Melissa Pick and Christina Zordani, advanced to the championship match of their singles brackets.
GOOD TO KNOW Top performers from the fall season include sophomore Antonela Stoica with a 6-4 singles record and Ava Markham with a 7-5 singles record.
vs. Georgia Tech 12 p.m.
Jan. 26
vs. S. Carolina/Purdue
Jan. 31
Drake NIU
11 a.m. 4 p.m.
Feb. 2
at Marquette
12 p.m.
Feb. 7
DePaul
5 p.m.
Feb. 9
Denver
11 a.m.
Feb. 21 at VCU
3 p.m.
DAVID STLUKA
THIS WEEK The Badgers head to Dallas, Texas to compete in the Metroplex Mania tournament. The competition, the first for the Badgers this spring, starts on Friday and concludes on Sunday.
Jan. 25
Feb. 23 at William & Mary 10 a.m. Mar. 7
at Minnesota
Mar. 13 at UCSB
10 a.m. 3 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can keep up to date on the Badgers on Twitter (@BadgerWTennis) or check out UWBadgers.Com for a recap each night of the tournament.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Meet the Badgers: Antonela Stoica
FOLLOW US:
▶ Seah to compete in Southeast Asian Games ▶ Badgers finish fall season at Florida State
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