Varsity Magazine - March 11, 2020 by Wisconsin Badgers

INFOCUS

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE With a 60-56 win at Indiana on Saturday, the Badgers claimed their 19th Big Ten championship in school history and first since 2015. PHOTOS BY DAVID STLUKA

INFOCUS

GROWING THE GAME After Wisconsin finished its practice on Friday prior the WCHA Final Faceoff, the Badgers spent time skating with the Apple Valley/Burnsville (Minnesota) Under-8 girls. PHOTOS BY AJ HARRISON

INFOCUS

POWER MOVE Wrestling at 174 pounds, Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jared Krattinger upends his opponent during the 2020 Big Ten Wrestling Championships at Rutgers University. PHOTO BY DIANE NORDSTROM

INFOCUS

W IS FOR WIN Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s softball team is all smiles after earning an impressive 9-0 run-rule shutout win to claim the USF Invitational Tournament championship against UMass. PHOTO BY CARISSA BRZEZINSKI

INFOCUS

SHE ROQUES The WCHA Player of the Year, Abby Roque celebrates her first-period goal with a yell during Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eventual 4-1 win over Minnesota Duluth in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Faceoff. PHOTO BY KAI MARTIN

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

WE’RE BRINGING YOU YOUR TEAM LIKE NO ONE ELSE. We’ve got 24/7 talk and analysis on ESPNU Radio as well as live coverage of every major college basketball conference including live play-by-play. Hear it all in your car, on your phone and at home. Go to siriusxm.com/collegebasketballschedule to learn more.

CH. 84

© 2019 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM, Automatic, Pandora and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All other marks, channel names and logos are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

MARCH 11, 2020 ▪ VOLUME 10, ISSUE 18

DAVID STLUKA

28 BIGGER & BETTER At 6-foot-10 and 6-11, Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter are giving the Badgers a well-timed boost in size and power as Wisconsin enters the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed.

FEATURES 2

IN FOCUS

16 LUCAS AT LARGE 19 BY THE NUMBERS

Paul Chryst and Co. are looking to returners and new faces to fill shoes of Badgers’ departing leaders this spring

25 FORWARD360 27 VIRAL VIDEO 37 INSIDE BASKETBALL 39 INSIDE HOCKEY 41 INSIDE TRACK & FIELD 45 INSIDE TENNIS 49 INSIDE ROWING

DAVID STLUKA

21 WHAT TO WATCH

SPRING BALL 16 LUCAS AT LARGE

25 SOUL FOOD NIGHT FORWARD360

Wisconsin Athletics recently held Soul Food Night, an annual event to celebrate Black excellence and share in further understanding of Black culture 13

Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711

VIEW ALL ISSUES Jessica Burda

Director of Brand Communications Managing Editor

Brian Lucas

Director of Football Brand Communications

Julia Hujet

Editor/Designer

Brian Mason

Editor/Contributor

Mike Lucas

Senior Writer

Andy Baggot Writer

Chris Hall, Jerry Mao, Bianca Miceli, Brandon Spiegel Video Production

Monica Danek Advertising

Adam Ahearn Distribution

Contributors

Carissa Brzezinski, Paul Capobianco, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom, Kelli Steffes Photography

David Stluka, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Jack McLaughlin, Tom Lynn, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: Darren Lee Problems or Accessibility Issues? VarsityMag@UWBadgers.com ÂŠ 2020 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. 15

LUCAS AT LARGE

BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

Excitement and opportunity ripe during spring ball

hen the conversation got around to replacing a 6,000-plus-yard rusher and it was mentioned that elite tailbacks like Jonathan Taylor are essentially irreplaceable, Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst replied with mock irritation, “Thanks for rubbing it in,” before feigning, “Oh, he’s not coming back?” That thoroughbred has obviously left the UW stable and Chryst didn’t need to be reminded. But with preparations underway for spring practice, the start of which has been pushed back to March 22, following spring break, there will be plenty of interest in how the Badgers will look and function on offense in 2020 without the incomparable Taylor, a two-time Doak Walker Award winner. “Anytime you’re going to replace a guy who has been here for three years, there are going to be questions, ‘What’s next?’” said Chryst, promising “We’ll figure it out” before bringing up another example of a high-profile departure at running back, the program’s cornerstone position. In 2014, Melvin Gordon rushed for a school-record 2,587 yards and won the Doak Walker Award before skipping his final year of college eligibility for the NFL. That season, Corey Clement was “Robin” to Gordon’s “Batman” and rushed for 949 yards on 147 carries. “I thought Corey worked through this a little bit: ‘Do I have to be the next Melvin?’”

said Chryst, who understands that a comparable scenario may exist now in filling the void left by Taylor. “Our backs have a pretty good sense that they don’t have to be (Taylor). And they’re not going to be JT.” In 2015, Clement was limited by injuries and appeared in only four games. His absence gave rise to the emergence of Dare Ogunbowale, a former walk-on cornerback. Ogunbowale led the Badgers in rushing with 819 yards while sharing reps with redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal, who ran for 503 yards.

“ANYTIME YOU’RE GOING TO REPLACE A GUY WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR THREE YEARS, THERE ARE GOING TO BE QUESTIONS, ‘WHAT’S NEXT?’ WE’LL FIGURE IT OUT.” “The way it played out, Dare was emerging, but he really hadn’t done it yet consistently,” said Chryst, who then underlined the overall spring challenge. “Can you show it and do it? And, then, it’s, ‘Can you show it and do it at a consistent level?’ and ‘How do you raise that level of consistency?’ “We know Grosh (Garrett Groshek). We know Nakia (Watson). “We have an idea of these guys. But where are they right now?” Groshek, who will be a fifthyear senior, has been a contributor and leader in his role as a

third-down back. Last season, he had the team’s fourth-most catches (29). As a redshirt freshman, Watson was the second-leading rusher with 331 yards (on 246 fewer carries than Taylor). A wild card could be tailback Julius Davis, who missed most of his senior year in high school with a sports hernia and was sidelined last fall. Stressing the importance of this spring’s platform, Chryst said, “He has shown enough that you’re excited about him. But now can he do that consistently?’” That wild card label also extends to the fleet Isaac Guerendo, a hybrid receiver/runner. New Jersey freshman Jalen Berger, who will not arrive until this summer, should factor into the mix. “His high school tape has shown his talent as a running back,” Chryst said. “But he also has some receiving skills and I like that. The biggest thing that I like is his talent and his competitiveness.” He also likes the returning personnel at fullback with Mason Stokke, John Chenal and Quan Easterling, and the potential for developing depth around tight end Jake Ferguson with Hayden Rucci, Clay Cundiff and Gabe Lloyd, if healthy. Meanwhile, tailback is not the only position with questions. “Every position has them if you’re just looking at the depth chart,” Chryst said. “Noah Burks has played a lot, but who’s going to be the other outside lineback-

DAVID STLUKA

NAKIA WATSON

er? We have a lot of defensive backs who have played, but how does that sort itself out? What is the development of the offensive line?” Up front, the Badgers must replace three starters in Tyler Biadasz, Jason Erdmann and David Moorman. But they have some experienced returners in Cole Van Lanen, Logan Bruss, Josh Seltzner, Kayden Lyles and Tyler Beach, along with promising redshirts (Logan Brown and Joe Tippmann). “All you have to do is take a look — who did you lose and who is going to fill their shoes,” Chryst said of the usual questions and speculation on the areas of need because of the annual turnover. “You’ve really got that across the board … What’s the next wave of receivers?” With leading receiver Quintez Cephus (59 catches for 901 yards and seven touchdowns) declaring for the NFL draft and four-year letterwinner A.J. Taylor graduating, the Badgers will re-

build around four seniors-to-be: Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz. “You’ve got a sense of them,” Chryst said. “But they’ve got to find a way to elevate.” Not everyone will practice this spring (Dunn). Some wide-outs are coming off injuries (Cade Green and Emmet Perry). Some are looking to prove themselves in their second (A.J. Abbott) and third (Taj Mustapha) spring. Some are going through their first spring (Stephan Bracey and Chimere Dike). Chemistry has always been a factor in building a successful relationship between a quarterback and receiver. That was evident in Jack Coan’s growth last season, according to Chryst. Coan completed nearly 70 percent (.696) of his passes for 2,727 yards with 18 touchdowns and only five picks. “Jack and Q (Cephus) had a good sense of each other and what was happening,” Chryst said. “I think Jack has it with

Danny and KP (Pryor). But it can be better. Same with Ferg (Ferguson). You can anticipate a little bit more. You can be just a little bit sharper. It’s all that. “It’s Jack’s growth. But it’s also not independent of other guys’ growth.” On where Coan made his greatest strides in the system, Chryst said, “He did a good job of seeing things and having a command of what was going on — what we were seeing defensively and what we were trying to do. I thought he did a really good job of trying to facilitate that for everyone.” Although the Badgers redshirted freshman Graham Mertz, they were still able to give him some snaps and a small taste of competition in a couple of lategame situations against Central Michigan and Kent State. In those two appearances, Mertz completed 9 of 10 throws for 73 yards. Click to read more »

DAVID STLUKA

SOFTBALL ▶ Wisconsin hit 13 home runs this past weekend at the USF Tournament in Florida, including five with a grand slam by Lauren Foster to win championship, 9-0, against UMass.

◀ MEN’S BASKETBALL Wisconsin has won five Big Ten championships since 2000, matching Ohio State for the second-most during that span. Only Michigan State (7) has won more league titles since 2000.

TOM LYNN

BY THE NUMBERS

TOM LYNN TIM VENUS

6-0

DEB LINDSEY

WRESTLING ▶ Ranked fifth in the country, Wisconsin qualified six wrestlers — Seth Gross, Trent Hillger, Cole Martin, Tristan Moran, Johnny Sebastian and Evan Wick — for the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis on March 19-21.

◀ WOMEN’S HOCKEY The Badgers are 6-0 all-time in NCAA quarterfinal games at LaBahn Arena and have outscored their opponents 28-2 in those contests.

WHAT TO WATCH DAVID STLUKA

TOURNEY SZN

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MICHIGAN/RUTGERS FRIDAY, MARCH 13 ▪ 11AM INDIANAPOLIS ▪ BTN Top-seeded Wisconsin awaits the winner of Michigan vs. Rutgers after earning a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Watch the Badgers live on Big Ten Network at 11 a.m. on Friday. Should UW advance, the Badgers would play again on Saturday at noon on CBS.

tournament info

LLY

TRACK & FIELD AT NCAA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FRIDAY, MARCH 13 ▪ 6:15PM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ▪ ESPN3

STEPHEN MA

NCAA INDOORS

Wisconsin’s men’s and women’s track & field teams send eight to the NCAA Indoor Championships this Friday and Saturday in New Mexico. Catch the Badgers on ESPN3’s live stream of the championships at 6:15 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

tournament info

DAVID STLUKA

DROP THE PUCK

WOMEN’S HOCKEY VS. CLARKSON SATURDAY, MARCH 14 ▪ 2PM LA BAHN ARENA ▪ BTN+ No. 2 Wisconsin hosts No. 7 Clarkson in the NCAA Quarterfinal at LaBahn Arena on Saturday. Watch the Badgers at 2 p.m. streamed live on BTN+.

tournament info

UA SPOTLIGHT MC

UA HIGHLIGHT MC

S P E E D U A

S P O T L I G H T

/ / / /

U A

H I G H L I G H T

/ / / /

U A

T H AT

N E V E R

S P O T L I G H T

/ / / /

S T O P S U A

S P E E D

H I G H L I G H T

T H AT / / / /

N E V E R

U A

S T O P S

S P O T L I G H T

S P E E D

/ / / /

U A

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 3/11

THURSDAY 3/12

MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone Diving Championships Dallas All day

FRIDAY 3/13

SATURDAY 3/14

MEN’S BASKETBALL at Big Ten Tournament vs. (9) Michigan / (8) Rutgers Indianapolis 11 a.m. Watch: BTN Tournament info »

MEN’S BASKETBALL (If win Friday) at Big Ten Tournament Semifinal Indianapolis 12 p.m. Watch: CBS Sports Tournament info »

WOMEN’S TENNIS at UCSB Santa Barbara, Calif. 3 p.m.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY NCAA Quarterfinal vs. Clarkson Madison, Wis. 2 p.m. Watch: BTN+

MEN’S TENNIS at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 5 p.m.

MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD at NCAA Indoor Championships Albuquerque, N.M. All day

View more 3/13 events »

SUNDAY 3/15 MEN’S BASKETBALL (If win Fri. & Sat.) at Big Ten Tournament Championship Indianapolis 2:30 p.m. Watch: CBS Sports Tournament info »

MONDAY 3/16

TUESDAY 3/17

WEDNESDAY 3/18 SOFTBALL at Villanova Villanova, Pa. 12 p.m. SOFTBALL vs. St. Joseph’s Villanova, Pa. 2:30 p.m. MEN’S TENNIS at SMU Dallas Time TBA WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Championships Athens, Ga. All day Championship info »

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »

Hungry? GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY! . Home of the Famous Gritty Burger! . #1 Place to Celebrate Birthdays . Drink FREE Beverages on Your Birthday . ALL AGES WELCOME . Serving Weekend Brunch . A Tradition Since 1968 . Serving Gourmet Milkshakes . Available For Large Parties

MADISON

223 N. FRANCES STREET | 608-251-2521

MIDDLETON

1021 N. GAMMON ROAD | 608-833-6489

SUN PRAIRIE

315 E. LINNERUD DRIVE | 608-837-4999

THEGRITTY.COM |

FORWARD360 SPOTLIGHT

Soul Food Night

Wisconsin Athletics celebrates Black excellence at annual event BY MAYA SHEA ▪ UW BRAND COMMUNICATIONS

onoring Black History Month in February, Wisconsin Athletics hosted its annual Soul Food Night to celebrate Black excellence and share in further understanding of Black culture. Student-athletes and Wisconsin Athletics staff gathered at the Kohl Center to compete in trivia about Black history, eat food that is rooted in Black culture and have engaging conversations about Black excellence. “This event is so important for our UW community because it provides the opportunity to engage in discussions around the history and experiences of our students of color,” said Assistant Director of Inclusion & Engagement Patty Cisneros Prevo. “It allows us to learn, respect, and celebrate these differences they bring to the table and helps create and foster a more diverse and inclusive environment.” Student-athletes and staff competed in activities learning more about Black culture such as True or False, where attendees were given statements about Black history and had to discuss as a team whether or not the statement was true or false. Discussions followed each statement. Attendees also played Urban Dictionary where attendees had a pile of slang phrases and their meanings. As a team, they had to match the correct slang phrase with its mean-

ing. Afterwards, attendees discussed why slang was created and why slang was, and continues to be, important in the Black community. In the Basketball Challenge, attendees had to answer questions about Black History and Culture with multiple choice answers. As a team, they had to discuss and select the correct answer. One shot was awarded for each correct answer, which gave them a chance to win points. The night ended with performances by campus and community partners while attendees ate delicious Soul Food. The event is hosted each year by Wisconsin Athletics’ Student-Athletes Equally Supporting Others (SAESO), a registered student-athlete organization that strives to bring student-athletes together from different cultures, ethnicities, lifestyles and belief systems to enhance their experience on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. “On a campus of predominantly white institutions, where the impact of African Americans on our nation’s past and present are regularly overlooked, this event helps us to shine light on how African Americans were and are a vital piece to America becoming what it is today,” said Madison Cone, SAESO’s Strategic Partnerships Chair and a student-athlete on the UW football team. Learn more about SAESO and the Inclusion & Engagement department at Wisconsin Athletics here. ▪

VIRAL VIDEO

WISCONSIN ATHLETICS || SOUL FOOD NIGHT UP NEXT:

WISCONSIN BASKETBALL: TOP PLAYS AT INDIANA

WISCONSIN WOMEN’S ROWING WINTER TRAINING

FOLLOW THE BADGERS ▶

DARREN LEE

TOM LYNN DARREN LEE

hether playing together when the lineup calls for supersizing or tagging off at various intervals predicated on fatigue, effectiveness, match-ups or game situations, 6-foot-11 Nate Reuvers and 6-10 Micah Potter have meshed their skills and styles and flowered as complementary pieces. The Reuvers-Potter tag team has offered coach Greg Gard valuable production on the glass and in the scoring column, while providing strategic options during Wisconsin’s eightgame winning streak and drive to a share of the Big Ten championship and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. “They’ve complemented each other so well meaning one spelling the other,” said Gard, the 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year. “When one has maybe struggled a little bit, the other one has picked him up. As you mesh what they can do together, it’s been a great combination. “We obviously used them together and down the stretch Saturday and it was big.” For the third time in the last eight games, Gard started Potter with Reuvers and their

combined play factored into Wisconsin’s come-from-behind 60-56 win at Indiana. Reuvers had a game-high 17 points and seven rebounds; Potter had his third double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. Gard went “big” or supersized to match up better with the Hoosiers who opened with 6-10, 255-pound De’Ron Davis and 6-9, 245-pound Trayce Jackson-Davis on the frontline. “He (Potter) is a little bigger — a little stronger — and that can help on the rebounding end offensively and defensively,” Reuvers said. “He got some big boards at the end of that game. He also takes the pressure off of me because I don’t have to guard the biggest guy out there.” Potter started out on Davis and Reuvers on Jackson-Davis. “Going forward, depending on match-ups — because that’s the big thing, match-ups — if teams go big, we have the ability to go big, too,” Potter said. “Sometimes it helps to have an extra big in the game who can spread the floor and also play inside. Sometimes you can take advantage of mismatches.”

From this standpoint, Reuvers and PotBoth can face-up and hit mid-range jumpers. ter have proven to be compatible in their Both can stretch the defense with 3-pointers. role-playing. Only Michigan State’s All-American senior “When they’re playing together, Nate is sysguard Cassius Winston has a higher percenttematically at the 4, just because he has played age (.486) from beyond the 3-point arc in Big it before,” Gard said. “I didn’t want to have MiTen games than Potter who has converted on cah learn two positions especially jumping in at 23 of 49 shots (.469). midstream like he did in December. It’s kept his “The biggest thing is … we both can do both mind a little freer where … play inside and outhe can concentrate on side,” Potter said. “We “WHEN ONE HAS MAYBE STRUGGLED A LITTLE one spot.” both can move the ball BIT, THE OTHER ONE HAS PICKED HIM UP. Both players have been around. We both can put AS YOU MESH WHAT THEY CAN DO TOGETHER, granted some freedom. it on the floor a little bit. IT’S BEEN A GREAT COMBINATION.” “There are certain situLittle things like that. He’s ations where he (Reuvers) a little bit better than me is the 5 on certain plays and I’m the 4,” Potter in some areas … but we’re just able to feed off said. “It’s just depending on who’s hot at cereach other. tain positions or who’s setting good screens “I think Nate actually enjoys playing on the that game or who’s scoring well or who’s perimeter a little more than inside. That’s a guarding who in different match-ups. We’re inlittle bit more his bread-and-butter. With our terchangeable in that way.” offense everyone plays in and out regardless … whether it be a drive-and-kick or a post-up with our guards getting post-touches. That’s how we want to play.” Added Reuvers, “It’s nice when you have all shooters out there.” It puts far more pressure on the defense when the floor is spaced and everybody poses a threat. The Badgers will go into the Big Ten tournament with six players averaging between 8 and 13 points. In all games, Reuvers (13.1) and Potter (10.1) are the only scorers in double-figures. Besides ranking No. 2 in 3-point shooting percentage (.352 overall) as a team, Wisconsin leads the conference in free throw shooting percentage (.764). This is another key area where Potter (.860) and Reuvers (.786) have changed the UW’s personality especially in late game situations.

“

DARREN LEE

“At both ends of the floor, they’ve complemented each other,” Gard reiterated. “They are different from an offensive standpoint and also different defensively. Nate is a little more of a shot blocker and Micah is probably more of an in-the-paint rebounder in terms of how physical he plays.” How has Gard managed the minutes for Reuvers (26.2) and Potter (17.8)? When does he bring Potter off the bench for Reuvers? “I gauge by watching Nate’s body language and how fast he’s maybe getting fatigued,” Gard said of his substitution pattern at the start of games. “Sometimes if Nate is playing well, it rolls a little deeper than maybe the first media timeout.

DARREN LEE

“But if I see that he needs a break to relax a little bit or to catch his breath — especially if it’s real physical because that takes a toll on him — my thinking is, ‘Let’s get him out and let’s get Micah in there’ and then Nate will come back in. “It’s the same thing with Micah. I can tell from the fatigue mistakes. If he’s hitting two or three shots, I let him roll. But when he’s getting a little too loose or a little too fast with the ball, I’m like, ‘Alright, the fatigue is starting to hurt his decision-making a little bit.’” Potter has prospered in his role as a Sixth Man. “I’m looking at whoever I’m going to be going up against,” Potter said of his sideline mindset before entering games. “I’m seeing their tendencies. Seeing where we may be struggling in certain areas or where we’re doing really well in certain areas. And I’m just trying to improve on those areas. “When I come off the bench, it’s for only four to five minutes depending on when the whistle blows. It’s not quite enough time to get that definite feel for the game, so that’s why I think prep work, watching film is a big help with that. A.J. does a really good job of getting us a lot of film to watch.” A.J. Van Handel, an unsung staff member, is the UW’s video coordinator. “Whenever the other is in the game or we’re in the game together,” Potter said, “we’re always talking to each other and making sure we’re seeing certain things or seeing certain matchups or seeing certain moves that we can do offensively or defensively to take advantage of our opponent. “Nate knows the playbook a little bit more than me because of his experience and so he’ll always be in my ear, ‘Hey, on this play, you can also do this

TOM LYNN

because they may be sealing you on the high takes reps and reps and reps. The biggest thing side so you can flip your hips’ or whatever it is the chemistry between you and the guards.” is.’” Whether it was Jared Berggren, Frank KaMaintaining an open line of communication minsky or Ethan Happ, there has been an adhas been to vital to their success as a tandem. justment period and a process in which the “I’m always trying to give him some point“bigs” have gone through in defending the ers because he doesn’t screen-and-roll action. know the system as well Some have adjusted as I do since I’ve been faster than others. Reu“AT BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR, THEY’VE here longer,” said Reuvers is a case in point. COMPLEMENTED EACH OTHER. THEY ARE vers, who has appeared “Coach Gard has alDIFFERENT FROM AN OFFENSIVE STANDPOINT in 93 games (80 starts). ways said that I’ve had AND ALSO DIFFERENT DEFENSIVELY.” “The last game, there a grasp for it,” Reuvers were times when we said. “He felt like I was were talking because they had two bigs who their best guy — my freshman year — guarding weren’t shooting. the ball screen. It’s tough. It takes communica“So, I told him, ‘If one guy was in the picktion with the guard. And it’s hard to get it right and-roll, make sure to stay in and help on the every time because you can’t take everything roller before you go out and guard your guy …”’ away.” Defending the ball screen has been paraIn tight games, Gard will go with Reuvers mount to Potter’s development. And minutes. over Potter because of his defense. “It’s definitely way better than it was at the “Nate has more chemistry with the team that beginning of the year when I first started playway and I have no problem with that,” Potter ing,” he admitted. “But, at the same time, it still said. “Whatever the team needs is what I want

“

been or bad.

that way whether good Sometimes your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness. It’s just something that I play with — emotion — it’s what helps me stay engaged and locked into a game. “And that’s being emotional and playing with a lot of intensity. Sometimes if I’m not happy, you can tell. Sometimes that’s not a good thing. But when I’m happy, you’ll also be able to tell right away.” After transferring from Ohio State, the 21-yearold Potter was obviously not happy sitting out the first 10 games of the season after the NCAA denied multiple waiver requests from Wisconsin. During that span, the Badgers went 5-5. Since he regained his eligibility, they

best matchup would be and that’s why I got are 16-5. put back in at Indiana. What if he had been with the team from the “If he puts me on the floor, I’m going to do start … whatever I can to win a game. But if he feels “You can always think like that, but you have it’s a situation where to focus on what’s matchups work betso ever true and that ter with other lineups is, I wasn’t eligible,” “WE’RE STILL HUNGRY. WE’VE GONE THROUGH SO then I’m just going to he said. “Honestly, MUCH THIS YEAR, BUT WE’RE STILL NOT SATISFIED. be the best supportI think some of that WE ALL KNEW WHAT WE WERE CAPABLE OF DOING. er (from the bench). adversity is what RIGHT NOW, WE’RE NOT DONE YET.” If it’s a home game, helped us. Whether I’m going to try and it was Coach (Howget the crowd going as much as I can.” ard) Moore, my ineligibility, Kobe (King) leaving A towel-waving Potter tends to be quite anor Coach (Erik) Helland leaving. imated. “All the adversity that we went through real“Can you tell?” he posed innocently bely helped us in every situation in this late run. fore breaking out into laughter. “I’ve always Obviously, I would have rather been playing

“

JOHN FISHER

to happen. Coach Gard and his staff have a great feeling for the game and seeing what the

from the beginning of the year. But God has reasons for everything. And if it had to work out the way it did for us to win a Big Ten championship this year … “I’m more than happy to have sat out those extra 10 games.” Potter’s father, Tim, is a nondenominational Christian pastor. So is his grandfather. So is an uncle. “We have a family full of pastors,” said Potter who hails from Mentor, Ohio. “I loved it being able to grow up in a structured home like that. My faith is the most important thing in my life.” Potter will graduate in May. At Ohio State, he was in business marketing. At the UW, he will get his degree in agricultural business management before going after his masters. Reuvers will graduate in May, too, completing his course work in business finance and invest-

ment banking in just three years. At Lakeville (Minnesota) North High School, he was able to take advantage of the advance placement curriculum to earn credits before enrolling at Wisconsin. “So, I came in a semester ahead and the summers put me another semester ahead,” said Reuvers, who took six credits each offseason. Graduate school is also in his future. But they both have some unfinished business this March. “We’re still hungry,” Potter said. “We’ve gone through so much this year, but we’re still not satisfied. Winning the regular season Big Ten championship was huge and it was a goal that all of us had and we even talked about it coming into the summer. We all knew what we were capable of doing. “Right now, we’re not done yet.”

DARREN LEE

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

CH. 84

INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (21-10, 14-6) Home events in bold. All times CT.

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Basketball: Top Plays at Indiana

LAST TIME OUT Trailing 51-44 at Indiana with 6:52 remaining, the Badgers responded with a 12-0 run and outscored IU 16-5 over the final 6:34 to capture a 60-56 road win and a share of the Big Ten regular season title. Nate Reuvers led four Badgers in double-figure scoring with 17 points, including Micah Potter’s double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds).

GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin saw a handful of Badgers receive Big Ten awards, as Greg Gard was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, juniors Nate Reuvers and D’Mitrik Trice were thirdteam All-Big Ten honorees, and Michael Ballard earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

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, 52-70 W, 70-57

Feb. 15 at Nebraska

W, 81-64

Feb. 18 Purdue

W, 69-65

Feb. 23 Rutgers

W, 79-71

Feb. 27 at #19 Michigan W, 81-74 Mar. 1

Minnesota

Mar. 4

Northwestern W, 63-48

Mar. 7

at Indiana

W, 71-69 W, 60-56

TOM LYNN

THIS WEEK After claiming the 19th Big Ten championship in program history and first since 2015, Wisconsin (21-10, 14-6 Big Ten) secured the No. 1 seed in the 2020 Big Ten Tournament and will play the winner of #8 Michigan/#9 Rutgers on Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip is set for 11 a.m. (CT) on BTN.

Jan. 24

at Big Ten Tournament, Indianapolis:

Mar. 13 vs. (8) Michigan / (9) Rutgers 11 a.m. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin’s first game in the Big Ten tournament against either Michigan/Rutgers tips at 11 a.m. (CT) Friday on BTN. Should UW advance, it would play Saturday at noon (CT) on CBS. All radio broadcasts can be heard on the Badger Sports Network. Follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter for updates.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ B1G CHAMPS: Badgers secure Big Ten title at Indiana

▶ Lucas: ‘Put your foot in the ground and draw a line’ ▶ Badgers Earn No. 1 Seed in 2020 Big Ten Tournament

Make Your Stay One Big Snow Day

View Snow Report

INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE (28-5-3, 17-4-3) Home events in bold. All times CT. at Battle at the Burgh, Pittsburgh:

Jan. 4

vs. Robert Morris W, 3-1

Jan. 5

vs. #3 Northeastern W,

Jan. 10

at Bemidji State W, 3-2

Jan. 11

at Bemidji State

Jan. 24

#2 Minnesota

W, 5-4

Jan. 25

#2 Minnesota

W, 3-0

Feb. 1

St. Cloud State

W, 5-0

Feb. 2

St. Cloud State W, 11-1

Feb. 7

at Minnesota St. W, 5-1

Feb. 8

at Minnesota St.

4-3 OT

L, 2-3

Feb. 15 #6 Ohio State

L, 1-3 L, 1-3

Feb. 16 #6 Ohio State T, 1-1 OT Fill the Bowl — Kohl Center

Feb. 21 at #8 MN Duluth W, 4-1 Feb. 23 at #8 MN Duluth T, 5-5 OT

THIS WEEK No. 2 Wisconsin hosts No. 7 Clarkson in the NCAA Quarterfinal at LaBahn Arena on Saturday, March 14 at 2:07 p.m. CT. LAST WEEK Wisconsin dished out a 4-1 win over No. 8 Minnesota Duluth in the semifinals of the WCHA Final FaceOff Saturday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis before falling 1-0 in overtime against No. 5 Ohio State in Sunday’s championship game.

GOOD TO KNOW After the weekend series, Sophie Shirley is closing in on a pair of milestones as she’s one goal away from becoming only the sixth Badger to score 30 goals in a season. The sophomore sensation is also one point away from joining the 100-point club.

KAI MARTIN

at WCHA Final FaceOff, Minneapolis:

Mar. 7

vs. #8 MN Duluth W, 4-1

Mar. 8

vs. #5 Ohio St. L, 0-1 OT

NCAA Quarterfinal:

Mar. 14 #7 Clarkson

2 p.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerWHockey) and watch a free video stream through BTN+. The game will be on either 100.9 FM or on 1310 WIBA.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Badgers to host Clarkson in NCAA quarterfinal

▶ Roque named WCHA Player of the Year ▶ Roque named Patty Kazmaier Award top-three finalist

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

THIS WEEK The Badgers travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the NCAA Indoor Championships this Friday-Saturday. Wisconsin sends five athletes to the championships with Oliver Hoare competing in the mile, Zach Lorbeck in the heptathlon, and the distance medley relay all challenging for national titles. Events begin on Friday at 11 a.m. (MT) with day one of the heptathlon, while open events begin at 5 p.m. (MT) On Saturday, events start at 10 a.m. (MT) with day two of the heptathlon and open events begin at 1:15 p.m. (MT). LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin finished seventh with 51 points at the 2020 Big Ten Indoor Championships on Feb. 28-29, crowning three event champions. Senior Hoare won the mile and 3,000

meters, while redshirt senior Lorbeck won the heptathlon.

Feb. 28-29 at Big Ten Indoor Championships Geneva, Ohio Results »

GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers tied for fourth at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships behind twotime individual champion Morgan McDonald. Hoare finished second in the mile run, while UW finished seventh in the distance medley relay and Trent Nytes took seventh in the heptathlon.

Mar. 13-14 at NCAA Indoor Championships

NEED TO KNOW ESPN3 will stream the championships live starting at 6:15 p.m. (CT) on Friday and starting at 5 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. A re-air of the championship takes place starting at 8 p.m. (CT) Monday on ESPNU. FloTrack ($) will also stream the championship live. Follow @BadgerTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram for live updates.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Ticket Punched: Eight Badgers are NCAA Bound

Albuquerque, N.M.

Mar. 20-21 at Bulls Invitational

Tampa, Fla.

April 3-4

at Spec Towns Invitational

Athens, Ga.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Hoare adds to Big Ten title collection ▶ All hail Hoare: Senior claims his eighth Big Ten title

STEPHEN MALLY

INSIDE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE Home events in bold. 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 Results »

THIS WEEK The Badgers travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the NCAA Indoor Championships this Friday-Saturday. Wisconsin sends two athletes to the championships with Alicia Monson competing in the 3,000 meters and Josie Schaefer challenging in the shot put. The shot put preliminaries and finals begin at 5 p.m. (MT) on Friday while the final of the 3,000 meters will be held on Saturday at 6:25 p.m. LAST TIME OUT Wisconsin scored 37 points to finish ninth at the 2020 Big Ten Indoor Championships on Feb. 28-29. Senior Alicia Monson won the 5,000 meters, claiming her fifth Big Ten title. Freshman Destiny Huven

also set a school record in the 60-meter hurdles. GOOD TO KNOW UW tied for 21st at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships, with junior Alicia Monson winning the 5,000 meters. She also finished 10th in the 3,000 meters. NEED TO KNOW ESPN3 will stream the championships live starting at 6:15 p.m. (CT) on Friday and starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday. A re-air of the championship takes place starting at 8 p.m. (CT) Monday on ESPNU. FloTrack ($) will also stream the championship live. Follow @BadgerTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram for live updates.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Ticket Punched: Eight Badgers are NCAA Bound

Mar. 13-14 at NCAA Indoor Championships

Albuquerque, N.M.

Mar. 20-21 at Bulls Invitational

Tampa, Fla.

April 3-4

at Spec Towns Invitational

Athens, Ga.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Another Big Ten title for Monson ▶ Huven’s HUGE day: DMR brings home bronze

MADISON

223 N. FRANCES STREET | 608-251-2521

MIDDLETON

1021 N. GAMMON ROAD | 608-833-6489

SUN PRAIRIE

315 E. LINNERUD DRIVE | 608-837-4999

THEGRITTY.COM |

INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (8-7, 0-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 26

North Dakota

Jan. 26

Northern Illinois W, 4-0

Jan. 31

Princeton

L, 1-6

Feb. 1

Green Bay IUPUI

W, 5-2 W, 7-0

Feb. 6

Marquette

L, 2-4

Feb. 11

#1 USC

L, 1-6

W, 4-0

ITA National Championships:

LAST WEEK The Badgers hosted Wright State at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Friday, where they swept the Raiders 7-0. On Sunday, Wisconsin battled Minnesota to kick off Big Ten play, but the team fell short to the Gophers in Minneapolis, 5-2.

GOOD TO KNOW After playing their first 14 matches at home, the Badgers will only host five more home matches at Nielsen Tennis Stadium this season. NEED TO KNOW Stay updated on the men’s tennis team through Twitter (@BadgerMTennis) and Instagram (@wisconsintennis). Check UWBadgers.com for pre-game and post-game stories.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Overpowered across the border: Badgers fall to Gophers

L, 0-4

Feb. 15 (8) Baylor

L, 0-4

Feb. 16 (14) S. Carolina

L, 1-4

Mar. 6

Wright State

Mar. 8

at #40 Minnesota L, 2-5

Mar. 13

at Nebraska

Mar. 18

at SMU

Mar. 22

#20 Iowa

Mar. 28

at #31 Northwestern 12

Mar. 29

at #34 Illinois

April 3

Michigan State

April 5

#3 Michigan

April 10 at #43 Indiana April 12 at Purdue

W, 7-0 5 p.m. TBA 12 p.m. p.m.

12 p.m.

DAVID STLUKA

THIS WEEK Wisconsin continues Big Ten action with a road match at Nebraska on Friday. First serve is at 5 p.m.

Feb. 14 (1) Ohio State

3 p.m. 12 p.m. 3 p.m. 11 a.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Back and Better: Badgers sweep Wright State, 7-0 ▶ Left it all on the court: Recap vs. South Carolina

INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (8-2, 0-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 10-12 at Metroplex Mania Dallas Results » at ITA Kickoff Weekend, Columbia, S.C.:

Jan. 25

vs. Georgia Tech

L, 0-4

Jan. 26

vs. Purdue

W, 4-1

Jan. 31

Drake NIU

W, 7-0 W, 6-1

Feb. 2

at Marquette

W, 4-3

Feb. 7

DePaul

W, 5-2

Feb. 9

Denver

W, 4-3

Feb. 21 at VCU

W, 4-2

Feb. 23 at William & Mary W, 4-2 Mar. 7

at Minnesota

L, 3-4 3 p.m.

Mar. 20 Maryland

5 p.m.

Mar. 22 at Rutgers

11:30 a.m.

Mar. 27 #5 Ohio State

THIS WEEK No. 36 Wisconsin will continue its road swing by traveling to UC Santa Barbara for a non-conference match on Friday.

GOOD TO KNOW Sophomore Ava Markham extended her singles win streak to five on the season thanks to a win at Minnesota and she is now 8-2 in dual play.

LAST WEEK In their Big Ten opener, the Badgers fell to Minnesota, 4-3, in a match that came down to the final singles point. It snapped an eightmatch winning streak for UW, the team’s longest victory streak in more than 20 years.

NEED TO KNOW Friday’s match will start at 3 p.m. with live updates available by following @BadgerWTennis on Twitter.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

5 p.m.

Mar. 29 Penn State

11 a.m.

April 4

at Illinois

11 a.m.

April 5

at #34 Northwestern 12

DAVID STLUKA

Mar. 13 at UCSB

p.m.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

▶ Wisconsin drops Big Ten opener ▶ Meet the Badgers: Melissa Pick

INSIDE WOMEN’S ROWING SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Oct. 19

at Notre Dame (Scrimmage)

Oct. 20

at Head of the Charles Boston Results »

Nov. 2

Minnesota

Mar. 14-15 at Cardinal Invitational

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

April 4

vs. Syracuse / Notre Dame

Chicago

April 10-11 at B1G Invitational

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

April 18-19 at Las Vegas Invitational

THIS WEEK The No. 15 Badgers head to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to compete in the Cardinal Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15.

three Wisconsin teams competed in the annual Connor’s Erg Challenge on Feb. 12 to help the charity raise more than $90,000 for brain cancer research.

LAST WEEK Wisconsin finished its fall season competing in the Milwaukee River Challenge, Boston’s Head of the Charles and a scrimmage against Minnesota before taking on winter training with a week of rowing in Cocoa Beach, Florida. All

GOOD TO KNOW UW sits at No. 15 in the Preseason Pocock CRCA Poll.

Las Vegas

May 1

at Princeton

May 2

Minnesota/Drake

May 17 at Big Ten Championships

TEALIN ROBINSON

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin women’s rowing winter training

Indianapolis

May 29-31 at NCAA Championships

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:

NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow the Badgers in action this weekend via @BadgerRowing on Twitter.

RELATED STORIES (Click to read)

▶ Wisconsin rowing takes on childhood brain cancer

▶ National Girls and Women in Sports Day ▶ Lisbet’s Lane: Hello from Cocoa!