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I don't think sports writers outside Madison realize Koenig was hurt in February. They keep saying the Badgers struggled during that time period without mentioning it.
As the article acknowledges, Happ can't do it by himself. But with Koenig and Hayes at the top of their game, and the occasional bucket from Showy and Trice, the Badgers can beat anybody.
I'm thinking people will come to understand that Saturday.
F**k 'em Bucky. F**k them all.
Ball movement is the key to maximizing Happ. When players hold the ball and scope out the situation, it tends to make the job of defending Happ that much easier. Quick rotations (and successful outside shooting) make Happ's game shine.
Nice article.
Being reminded of Koenig being hurt during Bucky's faltering in February is HUGE. I don't know how I forgot that.
If Koenig is back, Bucky was under-valued in the tourney.
Let's see them put a scare on Villanova.
Pistol's point on Koenig is the key. If you asked me right now who on the team would have the best chance of ever getting a cup of coffee in the NBA, I would say Koenig. Happ is going to get destroyed at the next level and struggles as caliber of the opposition goes up. Hayes is another Mike Wilkinson type (good college player who'll make some money in Europe).
The announcers go on and on about Koenig is one of the best shooters in the country in the last 5 minutes of close games. That's when he starts aggressively looking for his own shot. Last night, he played the whole game like it was the last 5 minutes and went for 8 3 pointers. The only way they beat Villanova is to feature Koenig heavily.
For Bucky to move on, BK will have to Steph Curry his way through this tournament
IF we can get by Villanova....I do believe that momentum could carry us to another Final Four appearance. However, to do that, the defense MUST step up and Gard's rotation of players needs to be more fine-tuned.
El-Stalker-Bong posted:Ball movement is the key to maximizing Happ. When players hold the ball and scope out the situation, it tends to make the job of defending Happ that much easier. Quick rotations (and successful outside shooting) make Happ's game shine.
Nigel held it too long a few times against VT. I kept saying "GO Nigel!, move! NOW! It's there! What are you waiting for? GO!!" He needs to drive to the basket when the opportunity is there more. It is his best game.
I don't want to rip him too much because overall he played well. He was going 110% for rebounds, didn't take any bad shots, didn't have any turnovers that I recall, and shot well from the line. He had a good game and he is just as important as Koenig and Happ, IMO. They need all 3.
And did you notice the pre-game media interview? All business, nothing stupid, no ego, didn't even smile hardly. He looked focused, no extraneous bull crap. He's being coached and it's working.
Hope Gard gets him to move right away with the ball when it is open a time or two more. I get that it is not really their game, but sometimes all they are doing by waiting is letting the defense get set up.
phaedrus posted:Nice article.
Being reminded of Koenig being hurt during Bucky's faltering in February is HUGE. I don't know how I forgot that.
If Koenig is back, Bucky was under-valued in the tourney.
Let's see them put a scare on Villanova.
I did too. I should have been nicer to this team for that reason.
I don't see Koenig getting 8 threes off vs Nova, let alone make 8. Nova's weakness is in the post, if UW is too win this game it will have to be there.
FLPACKER posted:I don't see Koenig getting 8 threes off vs Nova, let alone make 8. Nova's weakness is in the post, if UW is too win this game it will have to be there.
That may be Nova's weakness, but I just can't see Happ or Hayes combining for something like 40-45 points which is what they'd have to do to beat Nova. Maybe the Happ we saw in January, but not the one we've seen since the double teaming has started. He's still a good player, but he's playing tentative (maybe because the FT troubles got to him).
As el-ka said, they need someone to go Steph Curry lights out to do this and I think Koenig is the only one capable of that at this point.
The good news: they really didn't play a great game last night. Turnovers, missed interior shots kept VT in the game. And Happ has seen plenty of double teams now- the ball movement last night was half the reason Koenig had 8 3s go through. They know how to beat it now.
But Villanova is another G heavy group, and this has really posed a problem for this team. Showy got some BS calls sure, but if that happens again Villanova is more equipped to make the Badgers pay. There isn't enough depth, and Koenig cannot do it alone (from the back court).
This is the toughest game they have played this season. The seniors lead the way last night. They'll need more to advance tomorrow. But can they do it? You damn right they can..
That stupid 8 seed. They didn't do the number one overall and defending champs any favors.