Varsity Magazine - February 26, 2020 by Wisconsin Badgers

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GOLDEN MOMENT Beata Nelson, Lillie Hosack, Alana Palmer and Megan Doty dominated the 800 free relay at the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Ten Championships in 6:55.84 to both win the gold and set a new UW school record. PHOTO BY DEB LINDSEY

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CHAMPS AGAIN The Badgers claimed the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eighth WCHA regular-season title on Sunday thanks to a thrilling 5-5 tie at No. 9 Minnesota Duluth. PHOTO BY DAVE HARWIG

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NEW PERSPECTIVE Winners in five of of their last six games, the Badgers have a new perspective on their season. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mitrik Trice has keyed a 5-1 run in the month of February, averaging 10.5 points and 6.3 assists per game, including a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

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HOME SWEEP HOME The Badgers celebrate a top-10 sweep of Arizona State with the Crease Creatures student fan section to close out the 2019-20 home season at the Kohl Center. PHOTO BY TOM LYNN

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CLASS OF 2020 Wisconsin women’s basketball honored four seniors — Suzanne Gilreath, Abby Laszewski, Grace Mueller and Kendra Van Leeuwen — and early-graduate Kara Crowley prior to the Badgers’ last home game of the season at the Kohl Center on Feb. 22. PHOTO BY TOM LYNN

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 26, 2020 ▪ VOLUME 10, ISSUE 17

TOM LYNN

28 HEART & HOOPS This season has been one of formidable challenges for Aleem Ford and the Badgers. The junior and Georgia native is facing it head on and excelling in the face of adversity.

FEATURES 2

FRESH FACES 16 LUCAS AT LARGE

IN FOCUS

16 LUCAS AT LARGE

As spring football practice approaches, the newest Badgers are feeling right at home and adapting to life on campus.

19 BY THE NUMBERS 21 WHAT TO WATCH 25 FORWARD360

39 INSIDE BASKETBALL 43 INSIDE HOCKEY 45 INSIDE SOFTBALL 47 INSIDE TRACK & FIELD 51 INSIDE SWIM & DIVE

DAVID STLUKA

27 VIRAL VIDEO

36 HAVE FAITH MYWORDS

Senior Samad Qawi never stopped chasing his dreams despite setbacks and challenges. His patience earned him a spot on the Wisconsin men’s basketball team. 13

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LUCAS AT LARGE

BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

Fresh faces feeling right at home

NICK HERBIG

s three of the seven midyear enrollees — first semester college freshmen and technically second-semester preps — Chimere Dike, Nick Herbig and Jack Nelson, each 18, have found strength in numbers while adjusting to a new environment and culture with the Wisconsin football program. “Other teammates have been really good to us but they’re also in different stages (of their education),” said Dike, a wide receiver from Waukesha. “To have guys who are going through the same things that you’re going through, and being able to relate to them, is definitely nice.” On developing a plan to graduate early from Waukesha North High School, he said, “When I started to get recruited, I thought about it a little bit. It kind of came more into fruition this summer. I was just ready for the next step — ready to come here and get better.

CHIMERE DIKE

“But it was something I thought about for a month straight. I knew I would have to sacrifice some things in high school. Probably my biggest sacrifice was basketball and track and just friends. But I thought it was worth it. I thought I was ready mentally for it and it would benefit me in the long run.” Herbig was of the same mindset. After consulting with his parents and older brother, Nate, a second-year guard offensive with the Philadelphia Eagles, he said, “They were open for me to leave early, so we really explored my options and I thought it would be better for me to get a little head start.” Nate Herbig, who was not an early enrollee, started as a true freshman at Stanford. “He said it would definitely be better for me to get here because I could start training and learning the plays,” related Nick, a linebacker from Honolulu, Hawaii. “He’s my

JACK NELSON

biggest mentor and I look up to him.” Before making the decision to accelerate his graduation timeline at Stoughton High School, Nelson, the first commit in the 2020 recruiting class, huddled with his dad, Todd Nelson, a three-year starter at guard for the Badgers (1986-88) and a former teammate of UW head coach Paul Chryst. On transitioning to a Top 25 program on a campus with an enrollment of over 45,000, Jack Nelson, also an offensive lineman, said, “It’s definitely harder — harder classes — and just what you would expect going from high school to college. It’s more serious overall but otherwise not bad.” More serious? “Everyone is taking it way more serious,” he said. “You don’t get the guys in high school that just didn’t care, or they were just there because they didn’t have anything else to

do. The people who are here are here because they want to do it and they really do care. That’s awesome. “Everybody wants to succeed, and everybody wants you to succeed.” Dike has found that to be true. More structure, more competition, more support. “I love it … it has been a challenge … but it has been good,” Dike said. “Way more attention to detail and I like that because it pushes you. Everybody is an elite athlete here pretty much. At workouts, every single rep you’re competing and if you don’t have your best rep, you’re going to lose.” Dike has taken a pragmatic approach to the recent news that his UW position coach, Ted Gilmore, has left for an assistant’s job at Michigan State. “It was obviously tough because he’s a great guy and a great coach,” said Dike. “I feel like we had a pretty good relationship together. “But I trust that Coach Chryst will get someone in here who will help me develop and help every single person in our (wide receiver) room to develop. I knew that in coming to college that it was something that could happen, so I’m adjusting to it as it goes.” Dike was raised as a Badger. His mom, dad and grandfather all went to the UW. “When I was really little, I would pretend to be Nick Toon in the back yard,” he said of Toon, the fourth leading receiver in school history. “Once I got the opportunity

to come here, it was something pretty special.” During his formative years as a youth player, Herbig was a big fan of Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. But he connected with some others, too. “I was a big J.J. Watt fan growing up,” he said. “As I got a little older that’s when T.J. Watt came on.” Herbig, Dike and Nelson each have their own expectations for spring practice.

“THERE’S WAY MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND I LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT PUSHES YOU. AT WORKOUTS, EVERY SINGLE REP YOU’RE COMPETING AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR BEST REP, YOU’RE GOING TO LOSE.” “I just want to know what I’m doing when Coach puts me in,” Herbig said of outside linebackers coach Bobby April. “When I do get the opportunity, I want to know my plays and know where I’ve got to be and then just make plays.” “Obviously, we’re learning a lot and adjusting, and I just want to be able to continue to grow and just become a better player overall,” said Dike. “I want to contribute in the biggest way possible next year. But there are so many good players that you just have to focus on your job and getting better.” “I expect it to be challenging,” Nelson said of spring drills that will get under way in March. “After spring ball, I’ll have a more

clear idea where I’m standing. Right now, I just want to give it my all and see what happens.” Nelson has some extra motivation, if he needs any. Leading up the 2020 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, a prep all-star event, he was so impressive during practices that the national recruiting analysts from 247Sports upgraded Nelson from a four-star prospect to a five-star. “Ratings don’t really matter,” said Nelson, who will join another five-star, redshirt freshman Logan Brown, in the O-line room. “Even if I was a one-star, I’d still give the same effort I do being a five-star. The (extra) star gives me something to prove. I’ve got to show people that I deserve that.” All the early enrollees have been grateful for the backing they’ve received within the team. “The older guys take charge,” Herbig said. “If I have questions, I’m not afraid to ask and they help me with whatever I need help with. They really took me in on the first day actually. They helped me with the plays, helped me with the workouts. Told me where I have to be and what I have to do.” The first day of classes was a bit of a culture shock, and Herbig needed help. “I was lost the first week, I didn’t know where to go,” he said, smiling. “But once I got into my routine and I figured out where all my classes were and talked to my professors, I kind of eased into it a little better.” Click to read more »

BY THE NUMBERS TOM LYNN

DARREN LEE

110

◀ MEN’S HOCKEY More than 110 Wisconsin men’s hockey alumni made it back to Madison to celebrate championships, reunite and share stories with former and current Badgers last weekend.

MEN’S BASKETBALL ▶ Men’s basketball reached 10 conference wins for the 17th time in the last 19 seasons (since 2001-02), the most of any Big Ten team.

DEB LINDSEY

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING ▶ At the Big Ten Championships, senior Beata Nelson collected an impressive six medals after winning her third-straight title in both the 100 and 200 back and her second consecutive 200 IM title. She also contributed to a gold in the 800 free relay, silver in the 400 medley relay and bronze in the 400 free relay.

TOM LYNN

CARISSA BRZEZINSKI TIM VENUS

4-3

◀ SOFTBALL In a rematch of last year’s NCAA Regionals, Wisconsin upset No. 3 Oklahoma 4-3 on Sunday at the 2020 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in California.

WHAT TO WATCH

SEASON FINALE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AT RUTGERS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 ▪ 6PM PISCATAWAY, N.J. ▪ BTN+

TOM LYNN

Wisconsin travels to Rutgers to cap regular-season play with a road game on Thursday. Watch the Badgers face the Scarlet Knights at 6 p.m. streamed live on BTN+.

TOM LYNN

FEBRUARY FIGHT

MEN’S BASKETBALL AT MICHIGAN THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 ▪ 6PM ANN ARBOR, MICH. ▪ ESPN2 Wisconsin travels to Michigan for a Big Ten re-match on the road this Thursday. Watch the Badgers tip-off against the Wolverines at 6 p.m. live on ESPN2.

TOM LYNN

TAKE THE ICE

MEN’S HOCKEY AT OHIO STATE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 ▪ 5PM COLUMBUS, OHIO ▪ BTN Wisconsin plays its final regular-season series of the year at Ohio State on Friday and Saturday. Catch the Badgers on Big Ten Network both nights — Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. 21

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 2/26 MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Bloomington, Ind. All day Event info »

THURSDAY 2/27 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Rutgers Piscataway, N.J. 6 p.m. Watch: BTN+ MEN’S BASKETBALL at #19 Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. 6 p.m. Watch: ESPN2 MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Bloomington, Ind. All day Event info »

SUNDAY 3/1 SOFTBALL at Sun Devil Classic vs. Southern Utah Tempe, Ariz. 10:30 a.m. WOMEN’S SOCCER at Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. 12 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Minnesota Madison, Wis. 5:30 p.m. Watch: BTN SOLD OUT

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

MONDAY 3/2 WOMEN’S GOLF at Gunrock Invitational Sacramento, Calif. All day

FRIDAY 2/28

SATURDAY 2/29

SOFTBALL at Sun Devil Classic vs. Southern Utah Tempe, Ariz. 1:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL at Sun Devil Classic vs. Maryland Tempe, Ariz. 12:30 p.m.

MEN’S HOCKEY at #10 Ohio State Columbus, Ohio 5 p.m. Watch: BTN

SOFTBALL at Sun Devil Classic vs. #17 Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. 6 p.m.

SOFTBALL at Sun Devil Classic vs. #17 Arizona State Tempe, Ariz. 8 p.m.

MEN’S HOCKEY at #10 Ohio State Columbus, Ohio 5 p.m. Watch: BTN

View more 2/28 events »

View more 2/29 events »

TUESDAY 3/3 WOMEN’S GOLF at Gunrock Invitational Sacramento, Calif. All day

WEDNESDAY 3/4 MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Northwestern Madison, Wis. 8 p.m. Watch: BTN Buy tickets » WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Big Ten Tournament Indianapolis TBA Watch: BTN+ Tournament info »

VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »

EVERY BOUNCE PASS, BOARD AND BADGERS WE’RE THERE. ™

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CH. 84

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FORWARD360 SPOTLIGHT

Forming friendships one letter at a time Providing positive role models through the pen pal program BY MAYA SHEA ▪ UW BRAND COMMUNICATIONS

isconsin student-athletes have formed meaningful relationships with children in the area through the Badgers Give Back pen pal program. Two of Wisconsin Athletics’ community partners, Randall Elementary School and Lussier Community Education Center, have been sending and receiving letters from Badgers student-athletes throughout the year. Student-athletes send everything from written letters about their daily lives and interests, to fun story-building worksheets, to video messages just saying hello. However, these connections between student-athletes and their pen pals have stemmed off paper and into real life. Badgers Give Back has hosted meet-up events during the semester that have allowed pen pals to meet faceto-face. This February, student-athletes and their pen pals met at the Kohl Center to cheer on Wisconsin women’s basketball. The night was filled with laughs, photos, and memories that will never be forgotten. Other meet-up events have included recess

visits at Randall Elementary School and a Camp Randall activity day with Lussier Community Education Center. “The main reason I joined the Pen Pal Program was to provide these younger students with a unique relationship with a Wisconsin student-athlete,” said Marty Strey, a freshman inside linebacker for Wisconsin football. “Having the opportunity to meet Eamonn and his family at women’s basketball was very special. We got pictures with Bucky and made it on the jumbo-tron! I’m really looking forward to staying connected to Eamonn this semester and hopefully into the future.” The relationships formed through the Badgers Give Backs Pen Pal program has provided children in the community with role models they can look up to. The mentorship formed through the program allows children to envision themselves going to college and being successful, while having someone there to support them along the way. Learn more about Badgers Give Back and Wisconsin Athletics’ community involvement and follow Forward360 on Instagram. ▪

VIRAL VIDEO

WISCONSIN HOCKEY || EP 22 || FORTY YEARS LATER UP NEXT:

WISCONSIN VS OHIO STATE: 'FILL THE BOWL' CINEMATIC HIGHLIGHTS

JONATHAN TAYLOR HONORED AT DOAK WALKER AWARD BANQUET

FOLLOW THE BADGERS â&#x2013;¶

TOM LYNN

leem Ford was moved to express what he was feeling in his heart. Moved to do something — whatever it might be — after the Memorial Day weekend car accident claimed the lives of Wisconsin assistant coach Howard Moore’s wife, Jennifer, and the couple’s 9-year-old daughter, Jaidyn. The more that Ford thought about getting a tattoo, the more it appealed to him. Except he had never gotten one before and that gave him pause. But a friend on the UW football team, Eric Burrell, reassured Ford and set him up with a professional Madison tattoo artist that Burrell trusted. “He felt really confident in him and I went and talked with him and he was a really good guy,” said Ford, who continued to deliberate on the merits of getting a tat at all. “I had thought about it for a while and I finally did it this summer. But I made sure that I was really sure about it.” The 22-year-old Ford had come across a passage that had stuck with him and these words now appear in ink script on the inside of his left forearm: “My family is my strength and my weakness. Through them I rise and only through them I shall fall.” Backtracking to the Moore family tragedy, he said, “That just kind of opened up my eyes a little bit more. I appreciate my family, knowing that my family is my foundation. Being all the

way up here in Wisconsin, you can get away from reaching out or calling your parents; or calling your sister and cousins. “Being away from home (in Georgia), you start realizing there’s only a limited amount of time that we have here. This (tattoo) was something I wanted to get to remind myself that with basketball and school and everything else, my family is still my foundation and I wouldn’t be here without them.” There will be moments on game day, like during the playing of the national anthem, that Ford will reflect on what that passage truly means to him, “You think about your why — and there are a lot of whys — just to get a little fire and to get myself going before the game.” Before the Feb. 18 Purdue game at the Kohl Center, he didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Sitting behind the Wisconsin bench were his parents, Steven and Zoraya Ford, who made the trip from their home in Lawrenceville, Georgia to watch their son play. “It means everything to me,” said Ford who had a career-high 19 points against the Boilermakers. “It’s a huge confidence booster for them to come up here and see me play. I just love it and it gives me a little more energy for them to see me in this environment in the Kohl Center.” The Fords got national exposure when ESPN’s cameras showed them on screen.

“So that’s why I was getting texts,” Zoraya caring. A mother’s love is unconditional. She’s said. “It was awesome, it was exciting.” always trying to lift up my spirits.” “I didn’t even look at my phone,” said Steven. On his parent’s support, he said, “When “I was too involved.” things are going well or when things are not As a spectator, he admitted to dealing with going well, they’ve always been my rock and paternal-related anxiety. foundation.” “It’s nerve-racking,” he said. “But just to see Steven Ford, who travels a lot for his job in Aleem’s confidence get up to the level that it the signage industry in Georgia, has seen his is now, it’s all worth it. He has always been son play a handful of times this season. The kind of confident about his game. But the way Purdue game marked the second time that the season goes, sometimes it seems like it can Zoraya, a 25-year employee of American Airset him back a little bit. lines, had been to MadiHe just has to stay person in a month. “ALEEM’S GREATEST ASSET IS HIS SPIRIT AND sistent with it. “Aleem’s greatest asset MINDSET. IT’S HIS DEMEANOR AND THE MORALS “My advice is always, is his spirit and mindset,” THAT HE HAS. THAT’S THE PROUDEST I AM ABOUT ‘Stay focused … there are Steven said. “It’s his deMY SON … THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT HE IS.” ups and downs.” meanor and the morals Aleem Ford has always that he has. That’s the known where he can turn. proudest I am about my son … the type of per“If I have a question, I call my dad,” he said. son that he is.” “So, having that shoulder to lean on — and Added Zoraya, “It’s his personality. He has a there are a lot of things that go on — having great heart and he’s a very respectful kid. He him to talk to and to look to him for advice is makes me so proud every time I look at him … huge.” we love the program and the people here. This From his mom, he cherishes, “Her love. She’s is a blessing.” After the Badgers beat the Boilermakers, the Fords got something to eat with some of Aleem’s teammates and their families. But Zoraya had one other stop in mind, “I’m going to his apartment and check to make sure it’s clean … I cleaned it last week.” That elicited a chuckle from Aleem Ford who rooms on campus with redshirt junior point guard D’Mitrik Trice. “Some of us went to a teammate’s apartment,” Aleem said, “and when we came back later, ours was cleaned up. I gave her a big hug. I was so grateful for that.” Ford and Trice have been close friends since their prep school days at IMG Academy in Florida. “He’s extended family,” said Aleem, who has one older sister, Adina. “Meech (Trice) is pretty much his brother,” Steven said.

“

TOM LYNN

That night at dinner, the Fords were joined by Trice, Courtland Cuevas and Brad Davison and his parents, Jim and Cori, who hail from Maple Grove, Minnesota and rarely miss a game, home or away. “We just talked about the Purdue game a little bit,” Aleem said. “We were watching basketball (on the TV’s in the restaurant) and we were just talking since it has been a while since we’ve been all together. I don’t get to see them (his folks) often and I want to catch up on things back home.” Born in Jersey City and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, Ford was nine years old and going into the fourth grade when the family moved to Lawrenceville, 40 minutes northeast of Atlanta. (The town’s most famous resident is professional wrestler Ric Flair, while Shaquille O’Neal owned a six-acre farm in Gwinnett County

TOM LYNN

and jokingly referred to himself as “The Lord of Lawrenceville.”) Looking back on the move from Jersey to Georgia, Ford said, “It was probably more difficult for my sister. She was going into high school, so that transition was a little different for her. It didn’t have as much of an impact on me at that age. We were moving to a warm place and I was excited for it. “Lawrenceville is really nice and completely different than New Jersey. There was not much for me to do but play basketball and hang out with the family and that’s how I kind of really like it. I made a lot of friends connecting through sports because at the time I played baseball, basketball and football.” By the time that he got to Archer High School, his sole focus was on hoops. “It was a really big, really diverse school,” said Ford who had been pushed up a grade and was younger than most of his classmates. “Our football team was really good and basketball was fairly decent our senior year.” As a senior, Ford split his day between classes at Archer and a neighboring school, Grayson Tech, which offered a sports medicine program. “I would go there for three hours a day,” Ford said. “That was my interest — learning about the body. I felt it goes hand-in-hand with basketball.” (At the UW, he has gone in a completely different direction majoring in communication arts, radio, TV and film. While playing in front of the cameras, he has gotten practical experience working behind them in some of his classes. “Something I’ve always loved is film,” he said.) After high school graduation, Ford took recruiting visits to a couple of D-II programs in South Carolina: Newberry College and Anderson University. But he was looking for a better opportunity. “I was 17,” he said, “and I just told my parents that I wanted to go to a prep school and it worked out.”

TOM LYNN

As it evolved, Zoraya Ford crossed paths ▪▪▪▪ fter Sunday’s win over Rutgers, Gard with an IMG rep in the airport and she talked confided that this group of players has up her son, a conversation that led to an inendured more trials and tribulations terview on the Bradenton, Florida campus and than “any team I’ve been around in my 30 years Aleem enrolling at IMG. Gard and former UW of coaching in terms of the outside things that assistant Lamont Paris were evaluating Trice they’ve had to overcome and that have been when they discovered Ford. thrown in their way.” Because Gard wanted a third opinion, he At the start of the season, the players had to dispatched another assistant to Florida. deal with the uncertainHoward Moore. ty regarding Micah Pot“I saw what those ter’s eligibility and all the guys saw,” Moore said “I SAW WHAT THOSE GUYS SAW. I SAW upon returning to MadiTHIS SKILLED, LONG ATHLETE WITH A LOT OF waiver denials from the NCAA. He missed the son back in 2016. “I saw POTENTIAL … HE HAD A GOOD SHOOTING first 10 games. this skilled, long athlete TOUCH. HE HAD SOME BALL SKILLS. HE HAD In January, the team’s with a lot of potential … THIS BODY THAT YOU SAW COULD BLOSSOM leading Big Ten scorer he had a good shooting AND GROW INTO A SPECIMEN.” Kobe King left the protouch. He had some ball gram and Brad Davison skills. No facial hair. But was suspended one game for a flagrant foul. he had this body that you saw could blossom In February, strength coach Erik Helland reand grow into a specimen.” signed. As he is wont to do, Moore painted a vivid “But you go all the way back to May and what word picture of Ford. happened on Memorial Day weekend and that “He’s like a baby deer,” he said, “not really phone call that I got (after the accident) and sure of himself and the moment.” the days that came after that in talking to our Moore, who’s now on medical leave, helped guys,” Gard said. “That trumps everything else close the deal on Ford.

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TOM LYNN

body. You had to go through that life experience together. “They saw the coaches struggle with it. They saw teammates struggle with it. That brought us closer together and the other experiences have as well. But that one showed us that we have to be together, we have to count on each other get through life’s tough times. “Playing the games — getting better as a team — I don’t want to call it easier. “But it doesn’t compare to what happened in May.” The Memorial Day car accident happened in Michigan on the M-14 freeway connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit (where Jennifer Moore, nee that we’ve gone through. Barnes, was from). “We talk about adversity a lot in overcomOn Thursday, the Badgers will play the Woling a losing streak or not playing well. But verines at the Crisler Center, which is less than that experience in May has given our players three miles from the University of Michigan a cold dose of how harsh life can be at times. hospital where Howard and his son Jerell were Anything that we encountered from there on transported. wasn’t going to be as big because it didn’t inFollowing the accident, Gard and his assisvolve lives being taken.” tants (Joe Krabbenhoft, Dean Oliver and AlOver and over again, Gard has cited his playando Tucker) flew to Michigan to be at the ers’ resiliency. Moores’ side during “Young people are the time that they probably less reachospitalized “IT MAKES YOU APPRECIATE THINGS MORE AND STAY were tionary than adults CONNECTED BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THE there. are sometimes — I Gard has since TIME THAT WE HAVE. NOTHING IS GUARANTEED, AND know adults can been back to Ann ArYOU CAN’T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.” overreact and panic. bor with his daughter But our guys haven’t Mackenzie, a U of M panicked. They’ve continued to try and get betfreshman. She will be seated behind the UW ter. They learned in May and June to lean on bench for the first season meeting between each other because everyone processed that the Badgers and Wolverines. experience differently. “Taking her to school in the fall and going “Some took it much more visibly harder than over to see here, I’ve driven on that same road others,” he went on. “What they learned during (M-14),” Gard said. “I know it will be on everythat time is that they can count on each other. one’s mind. I don’t think there’s any doubt that It peeled back a layer of vulnerability for everyit will for Joe and Dean and Alando being it’s

“

their first time back (to Ann Arbor) since the accident. “With everything that you go through in life, there are firsts, and this will be a first in terms of those guys going back there, even for our players. Maybe it’s not front and center of their mind. But being near where it happened, I believe they will think about it. “I will address it and be out in front of it. Hopefully, a little bit of healing has taken place.” When asked about Wisconsin’s current fourgame winning streak, Trice spoke from the heart. “The biggest thing is that we stuck together,” he said. “We’ve come closer with everything that has happened to this team this whole year. Those things have just made us stronger as a team. We’re doing more things off the court. We’re doing things in the locker room. “We just feel like we’re a team. We’re a family and I think that has really helped when we get out there on the court. The biggest thing is trust. I trust these guys to knock down shots and make the right reads and make the right plays. “Everybody is feeling good right now about where they are and where they fit in with the offense — just being together as a unit — five guys becoming one.” Over the last four wins, the Badgers have had four different players lead the team in scoring from Brevin Pritzl (Ohio State) to Davi-

son (Nebraska) to Ford (Purdue) to Potter (Rutgers). In each case, they’ve reached an individual season high. “I feel like we’re as together as we can be,” Ford said. “Every day we come in with a fresh slate or a fresh mindset to where we don’t really show everything else that is going on, the outside things. It’s something I love about this team. We just focus on today, attacking today.” Even if his tattoo is covered up, it will likely be on Ford’s mind during the playing of the national anthem before Thursday’s opening tipoff at Michigan. Although the players have personified an old axiom on the court (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts), it goes much deeper. In a sense, this team has been playing for the back of its jerseys. Or shooting shirts. Do Moore. Be Moore. 4 Moore. “It makes you appreciate things more and stay connected because you have to appreciate the time that we have,” Ford said. “Nothing is guaranteed, and you can’t take anything for granted. “As things go on, you try to think about how minute (my-Noot) everything is in the big scheme of things and you try to focus on everything that you have in front of you.” It’s how this group has grown together, and not apart.

TOM LYNN

JOSH LEVIN

MyWords: Have Faith BY SAMAD QAWI

“

If there is a tiny speck of light on the horizon, just keep walking towards it.” Those are the words of my beautiful, loving mother. Words that guided me through personal crisis, injuries and severe depression. Words that motivated me to chase my dreams. Words that inspired me to reach my dreams. ▪▪▪▪ I’ve had a lot of amazing teachers in my life, but two have been there right from the start and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to thank them enough. One was my wise, loving grandmother, Saleemah Afful, who taught me that the best way to connect with people is through compassion and love even though it might require great sacrifice. The other was my mother, Qanita Tatum, who most everyone knows as “Ummi.” She showed me that if I kept walking toward that speck of light and let it reveal itself, it might

just be your fondest dream coming true. I grew up in Racine dreaming, literally, of playing basketball and going to school at Wisconsin. I was 8 when images of the Badgers — their names and uniforms and games — would come to me while I was going to bed. I started to tell my family and friends that I wanted to play for the Badgers at the Kohl Center one day. The fact that I actually made it validates a lot of what I learned from my grandmother and mother. But their messages had much more to do with my journey than my destination. They sustained me through two major injuries suffered playing basketball — torn ACLs in both knees — and back problems so limiting that I almost quit sports altogether. ▪▪▪▪ They carried me through a personal crisis — my parents separated when I was 9 — when my inner anger and sadness routinely got the best of me.

They fortified me when I was diagnosed when I was a sophomore at Horlick High School. with severe depression — brought on in part I enrolled in PEOPLE (Pre-College Enrichment by my injuries and unanswered trauma — that Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence). required medication for a time. It’s designed to help under-represented and Lastly, and I think most importantly, they first-generation college students prepare for helped an introvert find a voice and a leadercollege and complete their degrees. ship role on a campus where diversity is a topic Through my exposure to PEOPLE, I took a of discussion every day. neurology class at UW the summer before my My grandmother and my mom are heroes junior year, an experience that changed me forto me. They’ve given me ever. I found myself fascitough love when I’ve nated by the complexity needed it. They’ve made of the nervous system, “LEAD WITH LOVE,” countless sacrifices for the brain and how they MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD ALWAYS SAY. me. They’ve always been interact with the body. I “HAVE FAITH AND BE PATIENT,” there to listen and nudge remember sitting there MY MOM WOULD ALWAYS SAY. me in the right direction. thinking, “This is me.” “Lead with love,” my That same year I was grandmother would always say. invited to attend the Congress of Future Med“Have faith and be patient,” my mom would ical Leaders for a three-day seminar in Boston. always say. It only served to strengthen my belief that My opportunity to play college basketball for healthcare was my calling. I immediately made the Badgers is a direct result of their diligence, plans to focus on biology and anatomy. That’s confidence and influence. I made the team folhow I found kinesiology and fell in love. Click to read more » lowing an open campus tryout at the beginning of the fall semester. When I got the text message asking if I could come and meet with Coach Greg Gard, I sat down in my apartment — I’d just gotten up and was getting ready to head to class — and cried. When I met with Coach Gard and he told me that I’d made the team, I did all I could do not to cry again in front of him. For the longest time, I never thought I’d play college basketball. I’d found my niche as a student at Wisconsin. The idea of becoming a student-athlete too seemed like pure fantasy. I’m majoring in kinesiology with a goal of becoming a physician and someday building a sports training center in my hometown of Racine. I discovered my academic passion

“

JOHN FISHER

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INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (17-10, 10-6) Home events in bold. All times CT.

THIS WEEK Winners of four straight, Wisconsin (17-10 Overall, 10-6 B1G) heads on the road to face No. 19 Michigan on Thursday. UW then returns home to host Border Battle rival Minnesota on Sunday at the Kohl Center. LAST TIME OUT With a pair of home wins over Purdue and Rutgers last week, the Badgers moved into a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference standings. Two of UW’s final four games this regular season will be at home. GOOD TO KNOW Junior guard D’Mitrik Trice finished with a career-high nine

assists and just two turnovers, adding eight points, in UW’s win over Rutgers on Sunday. Over the last seven games, Trice has recorded 44 assists (6.3 per game) and just 12 turnovers — an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.7. Trice’s career assist-to-turnover ratio (2.03) currently ranks in a tie for fifth all-time at Wisconsin. NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin’s game against Michigan tips at 6 p.m. (CT) on Thursday on ESPN2. Sunday’s home contest versus Minnesota begins at 5:30 p.m. 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: 1,000-point mark part of bigger journey for Davison

at #5 Ohio St. W, 61-57

Jan. 8

Illinois

Jan. 11

at #20 Penn St. W, 58-49

Jan. 14

#17 Maryland W, 56-54

Jan. 17

at #15 Michigan St. L,

Jan. 21

Nebraska

W, 82-68

Jan. 24

at Purdue

L, 51-70

Jan. 27

at #18 Iowa

L, 62-68

Feb. 1

#14 Michigan St. W, 64-63

Feb. 5

at Minnesota

Feb. 9

Ohio State

L, 70-71

55-67

L, 52-70 W, 70-57

Feb. 15 at Nebraska

W, 81-64

Feb. 18 Purdue

W, 69-65

Feb. 23 Rutgers

W, 79-71

TOM LYNN

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Top Plays vs Rutgers

Jan. 3

Feb. 27 at #19 Michigan 6 p.m. Mar. 1

Minnesota

Mar. 4

Northwestern

Mar. 7

at Indiana

5:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 11 a.m.

Mar. 11-15 at Big Ten Tournament

Indianapolis

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Look at us... who woulda thought? - Behind the Badgers ▶ Lucas: Badgers looking like Avengers in February

INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (11-17, 3-14) Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 31 at Purdue

LAST WEEK Wisconsin hosted two ranked opponents — falling 85-56 to No. 7 Maryland on Wednesday and losing 82-66 to No. 18 Northwestern on Saturday. Saturday’s game also celebrated Senior Day and the Badgers honored four seniors — Suzanne Gilreath, Abby Laszewski, Grace Mueller and Kendra Van Leeuwen — and early graduate Kara Crowley.

GOOD TO KNOW Van Leeuwen holds fifth place in the team record book for most consecutive games played with 122 and is tied for third-most starts at 120. Sophomore Imani Lewis recorded her 17th career double-double against Northwestern and is tied for seventh overall in career double-doubles and fifth for most double-doubles in a season with 12.

Jan. 4

Penn State

W, 71-65

Jan. 9

at Nebraska

L, 50-65

Jan. 12

at Michigan St. L, 52-69

Jan. 16

Michigan

L, 56-68

Jan. 19

#22 Iowa

L, 78-68

Jan. 22

at Minnesota W, 72-62

Jan. 25

Nebraska

Jan. 30

at #20 Indiana L, 65-75 OT

Feb. 2

at Illinois

Feb. 6

Minnesota

L, 64-73

Feb. 9

at Ohio State

L, 74-82

L, 71-72 W, 73-64

Feb. 13 Purdue

L, 59-62

Feb. 16 at #17 Iowa

L, 71-97

Feb. 19 #7 Maryland

L, 56-85

TOM LYNN

THIS WEEK The Badgers (11-17 Overall, 3-14 B1G) head to Piscataway, N.J. to take on Rutgers for their final regular-season game on Thursday. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the team will compete in the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament on March 4-8 in Indianapolis.

L, 61-72

Feb. 22 #18 Northwestern L, 66-82 Feb. 27 at Rutgers

6 p.m.

Mar. 4-8 Big Ten Tournament

Indianapolis

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Fans can stream the game against Rutgers on BTN+ at 6 p.m. (CT) or tune in to U 100.9 on iHeart.com. Updates are also available on social media @BadgerWBB.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Wisconsin falls to Northwestern

▶ Badgers drop battle to No. 7 Maryland ▶ Badgers topped in Iowa City

INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE (13-18-1, 6-15-1-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 1 vs. U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition) W, 3-2

THIS WEEK Wisconsin (13-18-1, 6-15-1-1 B1G) ends the regular season with a trip to No. 10 Ohio State (18-10-4, 11-8-3-1 Big Ten) on Friday and Saturday. The teams meet at 5 p.m. (CT) on Friday and 7 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. LAST WEEK The Badgers wrapped up the home season, senior and alumni weekend with a sweep over No. 9 Arizona State. Wisconsin won a wild 7-6 contest last Friday before cruising to a 6-2 win on Saturday.

GOOD TO KNOW Sophomore forward Roman Ahcan had a six-point weekend to lead the Badgers. That includes Friday’s hat trick, the school’s first at the Kohl Center since 2010, and its first five-point effort since 2011.

Plymouth, Mich.

Jan. 10

#8 Ohio State

L, 2-4

Jan. 11

#8 Ohio State

W, 5-2

Jan. 17

#20 Michigan St. L, 0-4

Jan. 18

#20 Michigan St. W, 3-1

Jan. 24

at Notre Dame

W, 6-4

Jan. 25

at Notre Dame

L, 2-5

Jan. 31

Minnesota

L, 2-6

Feb. 1

Minnesota

L, 2-4

Feb. 7

at Michigan

L, 4-8

Feb. 8

at Michigan

L, 3-5

Feb. 14 #9 Penn State

W, 4-3

Feb. 15 #9 Penn State

L, 2-3

Feb. 21 #9 Arizona State W, 7-6

TOM LYNN

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Hockey || Ep 23 || Alumni Weekend

Feb. 22 #9 Arizona State W, 6-2 Feb. 28 at #10 Ohio State 5 p.m. Feb. 29 at #10 Ohio State 7 p.m. Mar. 6-8 Big Ten First Round View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Both games at Ohio State will air on BTN and on the radio on 1310 WIBA, the Badger Radio Network and the iHeartRadio app.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Zimmer nets two goals in Kohl Center curtain call

▶ Ahcan leads Badgers to wild win ▶ 1999-2000: Heatley brought home MacNaughton Cup

ONE CALL... THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALL!

PROUD PARTNER OF WISCONSIN ATHLETICS

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INSIDE SOFTBALL

vs. Iowa State SCHEDULE (8-6, 0-0) 1 p.m. Home events in bold. All times CT. at Palm Springs Winter Classic, Palm Springs, CA:

Feb. 21 vs. #2 Washington L, 3-5

vs. San Diego St. L, 2-3

Feb. 22 vs. UC Davis

W, 9-6

vs. #1 UCLA

L, 1-3

Feb. 23 vs. #3 Oklahoma W, 4-3 at Sun Devil Classic, Tempe, AZ:

Feb. 28 vs. S. Utah

at #17 Arizona St. 8 p.m.

Feb. 29 vs. Maryland 12:30 p.m.

THIS WEEK Coming off a 4-3 upset over No. 3 Oklahoma, Wisconsin (7-6, 0-0 B1G) heads to Tempe, Arizona to compete in the Sun Devil Classic this weekend against Southern Utah (1:30 p.m. CT) and ASU (8 p.m.) on Friday, Maryland (12:30 p.m.) and a second meeting with ASU (6 p.m.) on Saturday and Southern Utah at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. LAST WEEK Wisconsin went 2-3 at the 2020 Mary Nutter Classic, where it faced competition against the first, second and third-ranked teams in the country. In impressive performances, the Badgers were ultimately edged by walk-off

home runs against both No. 1 UCLA (3-1) and No. 2 Washington (5-3), despite taking the Bruins into extra innings. Wisconsin defeated UC Davis (9-6) and No. 3 Oklahoma (a rematch of last year’s regionals) 4-3. GOOD TO KNOW Senior Kaitlyn Menz owned the pitcher’s circle for Wisconsin for the entire game against Oklahoma. OU’s batting order was no match for Menz, who struck out the Sooners twice and kept them to only one scoring inning.

at #17 Arizona St. 6 p.m.

Mar. 1

vs. S. Utah

10:30 a.m.

CARISSA BRZEZINSKI

1:30. p.m.

at USF Tournament, Tampa, FL:

Mar. 6

vs. UMass

vs. Iowa State

1 p.m.

Mar. 7

at South Florida

1 p.m.

Mar. 18 at Villanova

10:30 a.m.

12 p.m.

vs. St. Joseph's 2:30 p.m.

Villanova, Pa.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Follow the Badgers in Tempe this weekend on all social channels, @BadgerSoftball.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Badgers boom past the No. 3 team in the country

▶ Badgers beat the Aggies and take Bruins to extra innings ▶ Badgers edged on day one of Mary Nutter Classic

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INSIDE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Feb. 8

Feb. 8

at Red Hawk Invitational Ripon, Wis. Results » at Millrose Games New York City Results »

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Mick Byrne Press Conference - 02.24.20

THIS WEEK Wisconsin is headed to Geneva, Ohio, to compete in the Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday-Saturday with qualifiers advancing to the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 13-14. Big Ten events begin on Friday at 11 a.m. with the heptathlon. LAST TIME The distance medley relay of Jackson Sharp, Colin Enz, Hudson Kugel and Olli Hoare broke the UW school record on Saturday and ran the second-fastest time ever recorded on an oversized track in collegiate history with their time of 9:25.84. Sharp ran the opening 1,200 meters in 2:56.1, Enz followed with a 47.6 leg in the 400 meters. Kugel ran the 800 meters in 1:47.6 and Hoare ran the 1,600 meters in 3:54.1. Three Badgers also competed in the weight throw and swept the top three spots at the Panther

Tune-Up in Milwaukee. Tucker Wedig led the way, coming in first with a mark of 69 feet, 3 1/2 inches. Austin Glynn took second (66-3) and Jamar Manning took third (64-3 1/4). GOOD TO KNOW The distance medley currently ranks third in the country, entering the Big Ten Championships. Their record-setting time this past weekend broke the previous record set by Morgan McDonald, Stacey Boyd II, Eric Brown and Hoare last year in 9:26.24.

Feb. 14-15 at Music City Invitational Nashville, Tenn. Results » Feb. 22

at Alex Wilson Invitational Results »

South Bend, Ind.

Feb. 22

at Panther Tune-Up Milwaukee Results »

HOWARD LAO

Feb. 14-15 at Husky Invitational Seattle Results »

Feb. 28-29 at Big Ten Indoor Championships

Geneva, Ohio

Mar. 13-14 at NCAA Indoor Championships

Albuquerque, N.M.

View full schedule/results »

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW The Big Ten championship will be streamed live on FloTrack ($) while highlights will be shown on the Big Ten Network on Monday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Results for the Big Ten Championships will be available here. Live updates are also available on Instagram and Twitter @BadgerTrackXC.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ DMR breaks the school record at Notre Dame ▶ USTFCCCA Weekend in Review: February 21-23

STEPHEN MALLY

EVERY BOUNCE PASS, BOARD AND BADGERS WE’RE THERE. ™

CH. 84

INSIDE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE Home events in bold. ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Mick Byrne Press Conference - 02.24.20

THIS WEEK It’s indoor championship season! Wisconsin is headed to Geneva, Ohio, to compete in the Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday-Saturday with qualifiers advancing to the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 13-14. On Saturday, events begin at 10:40 a.m. ET with the pentathlon with events starting at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday. LAST WEEK The distance medley relay competed at the Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame, edging out Michigan to win the event in 11:05.27 and move to second on Wisconsin’s all-time top performers list. Madison Mooney ran the opening 1,200 meters in 3:26.7, Gabby DesRosiers followed with a 53.7 leg in the 400 meters, Bianca Stubler ran the 800 meters in 2:11.9 and Alicia Monson ran the 1,600 meters in 4:33.2. Additionally, Olivia Roberts won the weight throw with a personal best of 60-3 at the Panther Tune-Up in Milwaukee. Chloe Lindeman competed

unattached finishing second in the weight throw with 59-5 1/2 and winning the shot put with a throw of 47-2 ½. GOOD TO KNOW Keep an eye on four school records in the upcoming weeks on the brink of being broken. Destiny Huven sits only .07 seconds behind the 60-meter hurdles record and the 4x400-meter relay consisting of Ali Dorn, Haley Lubow, DesRosiers and Stubler are currently less than two seconds behind the school record. Josie Schaefer is closing in on Kelsey Card on the all-time top indoor performers list in the shot put and the DMR is only five seconds off of the school record set in 2019.

Feb. 8

at Red Hawk Invitational Ripon, Wis. Results » at Millrose Games New York City Results »

HOWARD LAO

Feb. 8

Feb. 14-15 at Husky Invitational Seattle Results » Feb. 14-15 at Music City Invitational Nashville, Tenn. Results » Feb. 22

at Alex Wilson Invitational Results »

South Bend, Ind.

Feb. 22

at Panther Tune-Up Milwaukee Results »

Feb. 28-29 at Big Ten Indoor Championships

Geneva, Ohio

Mar. 13-14 at NCAA Indoor Championships

Albuquerque, N.M.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ DMR moves to No. 2 on Wisconsin's all-time list ▶ USTFCCCA Weekend in Review: February 21-23

INSIDE MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE (4-1, 2-0) 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. 4

at Denver

W, 110-95

Jan. 25

Northwestern W,

Feb. 2

Badger Red/White Meet

161-139

Feb. 26-29 at Big Ten Championships

Bloomington, Ind.

THIS WEEK Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 B1G) will be traveling to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Swimming & Diving Championships beginning on Wednesday at 5 p.m. through Saturday evening. LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 161-139 in its last home meet on January 25. GOOD TO KNOW In his last home meet as a Badger, senior Griffin Back ended his career at the UW Natatorium by breaking a

pool record as part of the 200-medley relay team with a time of 1:27.60. Back also joined fellow seniors Niko Stines and Kevin Braun as well as junior Matthew Novinski in winning the 400-free relay (2:59.24). Senior Michael Milinovich also earned a first-place finish in the 200 fly (1:48.88).

Dallas

DAVID STLUKA

Mar. 4-6 at NCAA Zone Diving Championships Mar. 25-28 at NCAA Championships

Indianapolis

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow the action in Indianapolis by following @BadgerSwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Bittersweet senior send-off

▶ Mile high victory: Badgers kick off new year with a bang ▶ Finishing up in Greensboro at NC State GAC Invitational