CONTENTS JANUARY 11, 2017 ▪ VOLUME 7, ISSUE 21 DAVID STLUKA

UNCOMMON DRIVE It’s hard to find a comparison for Ethan Happ. The guard-turned-power forward is having a breakout season for UW thanks to a set of skills and style of play unique for a player his size. DAVID STLUKA FEATURES WOMEN’S HOCKEY IN [FOCUS] FILL THE BOWL The week's best photos

Saturday’s ‘Fill the Bowl’ event to BY THE NUMBERS pack the Kohl Center is a ticket to Facts and figures on UW nationally-ranked women’s hockey and helping the community too. WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers

LUCAS AT LARGE ASK THE BADGERS Most anticipated in 2017 QB DUO PAYS OFF BADGERING Coach Jonathan Tsipis (WBB) Wisconsin’s tandem of quarterbacks

proved to be a successful gamble GREG ANDERSON and provided UW’s Alex Hornibrook INSIDE FOOTBALL crucial experience for 2017. Ramczyk ready for NFL leap

-SCROLL FOR MORE- INSIDE WOMEN’S Maximizing playing time Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711

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Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

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Julia Hujet Editor/Designer

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

Andy Baggot Writer

Matt Lepay Columnist

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Contributors Paul Capobianco, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Brian Mason, Diane Nordstrom

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Cover Photo: Steve Gotter

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© 2017 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM Quarterback tandem a successful gamble GREG ANDERSON NEIL AMENT DAVID STLUKA

Alex Hornibrook Bart Houston

art Houston was singing Attaching a fitttting postscript season, when both played, they in the shower — singing to an 11-win season — only the combined to complete 62 per- Bthe praises of a Rudyard sixth in school history, but the cent of their passes for 937 Kipling observation in a shower second in the last three years yards and six touchdowns. They of confetti on the floor of AT&T — Houston proposed, “The were picked off just twice during Stadium. It’s doubtful whether strength of the wolf is the pack this stretch and unbeaten as a anyone in Cotton Bowl history and the strength of the pack is tandem. They saved their best has made a postgame reference the wolf.” for last, the Cotton Bowl, going to Kipling, a literary Hall of Fam- Individual players meshing a combined 13-of-14 for 178 er as a poet/author during the their strengths and weakness- yards with one TD and no picks. late 19th and early 20th centu- es in the name of harmony is Houston was 11-of-12 for 159 ries. always timely and telling, espe- yards; Hornibrook was 2-for-2 But following Wisconsin’s vic- cially in light of another famous for 19 and the touchdown. It tory over Western Michigan, quotation — or overused cliché rivaled their efficiency against the 23-year-old Houston broke — depending on your perspec- another Mid-American Confer- out some Kipling “smack” with tive. This one is credited to an ence opponent, Akron, in ear- or without any knowledge of its old college football coach, the ly September, a 54-10 win at genesis. If anyone could sound late Jess Neely, who once ut- Camp Randall Stadium. Houston in character quoting from an an- tered, “If you have two quarter- was 15-of-22 for 231 yards and imated Disney movie — The Jun- backs, you don’t have any.” two scores; Hornibrook was gle Book was based on Kipling’s Houston and Alex Hornibrook 5-of-5 for 61 and one TD. Com- works — it would be Houston, would beg to differ. Over the bined: 20-of-27 for 292 yards the California native. fittnal six games of the regular and three touchdowns.

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM

Houston + Hornibrook = 0? Hornibrook said as much after Prep and West Chester, Penn- Obviously not. the Western Michigan game. sylvania; Karé Lyles, a 6-foot, Houston + Hornibrook = 7-0. “There are a bunch of things 214-pound freshman redshirt “I thought we’d get a lot out that helped me out this year that from Scottsdale, Arizona; and of it,” Wisconsin head coach I can grow from — whether it , a 6-3, 190-pound said Monday of his was good or bad,” he admitted. incoming freshman and early en- tag-team quarterbacks. “I didn’t “In the offseason, I’m going to rollee from Sayville High School know how they would both ap- watch myself (on tape) from the and Long Island, New York. proach it and take it. But I feel whole year and sit down with Coan originally committed to now what I felt all along: both Coach Chryst and see what I can Notre Dame — to play lacrosse. earned the right to play. They improve on. Playing in those big Once he opted to focus on foot- gave us some things and they games was a little different than ball, he had to sort through of- made it work through their what I was used to.” fers from Miami (Florida) and six preparation. I didn’t think we As of now, the Badgers will Big Ten schools, including Mich- were necessarily settling when have three tendered quar- igan and Nebraska. “You have to we did it.” terbacks on their spring ros- fast-track him so he gets some- So he’s not buying Neely’s ter: Hornibrook; the 6-foot-4, thing out of the spring,” Chryst math? 219-pound lefty from Malvern said. “Alex did a good job of that “It depends on who the two ▼ TAP TO WATCH - Top 10 Offensive Plays of 2016 (quarterbacks) are,” Chryst said, “more than anything.” With Houston’s departure, Hornibrook, who started nine Big Ten games, is now front and (behind the) center. Only Dar- rell Bevell, now the Seattle Se- ahawks offensive coordinator, passed for more yards (1,479) as a UW freshman than Horn- ibrook, who threw for 1,262. After being picked off fittve times in the fittrst three league games, he threw just one interception his last seven appearances (85 passes). Looking ahead to spring prac- tice, Chryst said, “It’s a tremen- dous time for him, he can grow in so many areas. There is truth to (the saying) ‘the best learning is through experience.’ That’s a real thing and he has a ton of DAVID STLUKA experience that he can draw upon.”

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM

his fittrst spring here (as an early sented him with Wayne’s class enrollee) getting some meaning- “I THOUGHT WE’D GET A LOT ring from Wisconsin after his ful work.” OUT OF IT,” CHRYST SAID OF death. During the early stage With Hornibrook, Lyles (who HIS TAG-TEAM QUARTERBACKS. of his prep career, Souza was a was unable to compete as an “I DIDN’T KNOW HOW THEY quarterback and threw passes to early enrollee last spring be- WOULD BOTH APPROACH IT Buckley. The Badgers recruited cause he was rehabbing from an AND TAKE IT. BUT I FEEL NOW Souza as a dual-threat athlete injury) and Coan, the Badgers WHAT I FELT ALL ALONG: BOTH who could and did play on both are short on numbers and ex- EARNED THE RIGHT TO PLAY.” sides of the ball as a defensive perience at quarterback. It’s no back and receiver. secret that they would like to footnote to Houston’s fittve-year As fate would have it, Buck- bolster the position group, if pos- run. ley’s two boys, Alex and Andrew, sible, during this recruiting cycle. At the team’s banquet, he re- were utilized the same way in Asked if depth was a concern, ceived the Wayne Souza Coach- high school. Both attended De Chryst replied, “It’s a reality.” es Appreciation award that La Salle, an elite program in So are the early departures of annually goes to the offensive Concord, California. Both caught left tackle Ryan Ramczyk and player who has best contributed passes from Houston, a fact that outside linebacker T.J. Watt. to the program in multiple fac- was not lost on Scott Buckley Both are headed for the NFL ets, on and off the fitteld. Souza, when Bart’s dad, Guy, texted draft with eligibility remaining. a former UW wide receiver, was him with word that his son had Neither was a surprise. As far as the victim of a drowning acci- been recognized as this season’s fittlling those voids in the lineup, dent in Lake Monona the sum- Souza award winner. or at least identifying potential mer prior to his senior year, late “Scott could not contain his replacements, Chryst said, “You July of 1979. He was 20. emotions,” Guy said. fittnd out where everyone is at Scott Buckley was one of Buckley never got a chance to in the spring and then you see Souza’s closest friends in New say goodbye to his friend. where you’ve got to go with it.” Bedford, Massachusetts — so But this helped bring some Meanwhile, there is one fittnal close that the Souza family pre- closure. ▪ ICON SPORTSWIRE

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 3 OF 3 ASK THE BADGERS

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD? TO IN 2017? BRADLEY K. OLSON JACK MCLAUGHLIN DAVID STLUKA

LAUREN WILLIAMS CANNON CLIFTON SYDNEY McKIBBON JOHNNY JIMENEZ Jr. ■ Women’s Hockey Sr. ■ Men’s Swimming Sr. ■ Women’s Hockey Junior ■ Wrestling Windsor, Ontario Irving, Texas Oakville, Ontario St. Charles, Ill.

“I’m looking forward “I’m most looking “I’m looking forward “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to forward to graduat- to finishing off my to representing the work towards playing ing (with a degree senior year and ca- W at the nation- for a national cham- in political science) reer at Wisconsin on al tournament and pionship!” and finishing off my a high note.” bringing home a college career as a medal to my family student-athlete and and friends.” beginning the next part of my life in and out of the pool.” BADGERING DAVID STLUKA COACH JONATHAN TSIPIS

First-year Wisconsin women’s basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis is in the process of trying to transform the program into a consistent winner. That challenge is woven into a 5-11 record overall, 0-3 in the Big Ten Conference. Tsipis is working with a club that features three seniors and six freshmen. He’s seen the Badgers score 100 or more points twice and knock off in-state rival UW-Green Bay on the road, but also shoot 25 percent from the field in a loss to Idaho State at home and commit 22 turnovers in a setback vs. Rutgers. Tsipis took a moment after a recent practice to talk about his priorities, the most enlightening conversation he’s had since coming over from George Washington and why he follows so many “Saturday Night Live” alums on Twitter.

Interview by Andy Baggot: What’s harder to change, the culture or the talent level of a rebuilding program like this? “Culture.”

Why? “Because you’re coming in having to build relationships when people already have certain things

SCROLL in place.”

What’s the No. 1 item on your to-do list right now? “Make sure our team takes strides to be better than we were in practice for tomorrow.”

Can you give me an example of that? “Making sure our players are locked in with what we’re trying to do to get ready for Purdue, as well as how we can become a better team from what we did in practice today. From a skill-set standpoint, I think there’s a part of having a memory that’s easily erased, but also pushes you and motivates you to not allow what happened — a win or a loss — to dictate how you move forward.”

Has there been a recent development on your team that made you smile? “The integration of Ashley Kelsick (a transfer guard from Boston College who became eligible this month) and how that’s pushed our team to become better, not just in practice, but she’s also been able to contribute in a game.”

What does she bring that perhaps you were missing? “Pressure on the ball and the ability to make a play with the ball in her hand, not just for herself, but other people as well.”

What’s a typical day for you? “There’s a typical day when I’m home. Wake up at 6. Spend time with my kids. Walk out to the bus stop with my son no matter what the temperature is. Come back, get ready, take my daughter to the bus stop, so I have some time individually with each one. Head to the office depending on the practice time. We then meet as a staff. I usually try to take some time when I get in here to get (administrative) things done that (program assistant) Sue (Genske) has — the weekly items and things like that — to make sure my communication with administration is strong. … Right now practice is mid-day. After that is always to wrap-up not only what’s going to happen the next day, but what’s going to happen the rest of the day as far as fittlm study and individual player meetings, which happen after practice. If I’m home, I’m usually taking someone to a practice. Dinner timeis variable, but I try to get at least one meal a day — sometimes it’s only breakfast — with my family. Then it’s lots of fittlm and lots of recruiting phone calls at night. … I’m done somewhere between 12 and 1.”

In your Twitter profile you describe yourself as a “believer.” How so? “I’m a baptized Christian. I grew up in a Greek Orthodox church, which, looking back, was great because it connected with my dad and his background from Greece and everything. But I didn’t speak Greek, so it was frustrating because I probably didn’t know the principles and beliefs in the way that one should in a given religion. My wife and I were married in a Presbyterian church and have found a very good Presbyterian church here in Madison. … There’s a big part of me that God has a plan and that’s how we’re raising our children as well. I’ve found just great support in the community.”

You follow other college coaches — Mike Krzyzewski, John Calipari, Buzz Williams among oth- ers — on Twitter. Why? “I think you’re always seeing how you can learn. It’s hypocritical if I’m not trying to learn how to be a better X’s and O’s coach, how to be a better recruiter or how to be a better manager ofmy staff. I think I take a lot of things from coaches I’ve worked for.”

You also follow a variety of “Saturday Night Live” alums like Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Adam Sandler on Twitter. Is there a method to that? “No. Some of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ characters and, actually, some characters out of movies that I don’t even know who’s running the Twitter account, I’m able to relate. I can quote a lot of movies. If you’re around me you understand it more, whether it’s White Goodman from ‘Dodge- ball’ or Shooter McGavin from ‘Happy Gilmore.’ I like how they relate things to sports and I think in the same way gives a little levity to your day. I like comedy, so that’s why some of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ people are there.”

Is there a name on your contact list that would surprise people? “Let me come back to that.”

What’s the most enlightening conversation you’ve had since coming to Madison? Who was it with and what was it about? “Talking with (UW Director of Athletics) Coach (Barry) Alvarez about his fittrst year (as Badgers football coach in 1990, which resulted in a 1-10 record). I think there are a lot of the similarities when you go through a rough patch of thinking you’re the fittrst person to go through it. He has it all written in (his biography) ‘Don’t Flinch.’ Him going to notebooks that he had when he was at Iowa and Notre Dame and seeing those similarities and doing things the same way. I think he did a good job of correlating what his spouse (wife Cindy) was able to do. Cindy always supported him, but in different ways. Sometimes giving you a kick in the butt when you need a kick in the butt. Him fittnding time for that (conversation) and knowing that not only are there other coaches going through it, it was similar stuff with your staff and your team.”

Do you have a hobby? “I try to do things with my children. I think the one hobby that helps me refocus is reading. … I struggle if I’m not reading something that doesn’t give something back, whether it’s Chris- tian-based or coaching-based or basketball-based. That’s my biggest hobby.”

If you could witness any sporting event in history what would it be? “I would really have liked to see — probably because of his passing this year — Muhammad Ali fittght. … I’m not one that follows boxing, but I think when you see an athlete who had such an effect across so many areas of our culture, it was so much more than just sport.”

One more time: Is there a name on your contact list that would surprise people? “Because of being in (Washington) D.C. (coaching at George Washington) I have the general counsel of the White House on my phone.”

The office or the specific person? “The specifittc person. Josh Friedman (the associate counsel to President Obama since 2013). He was one of the 10 kids I started coaching when I was 19. He was in fourth grade. He was one of the groomsmen at my wedding.”

Did you ever take advantage of that connection? “He got us on the White House bowling alley.” ■ JOHN FISHER DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA

hether Ethan Happ is grabbing a de- Mikan (who starred in the mid ’40s and ’50s). They’re fensive rebound and leading the break, just fundamentally so good. Wspinning to the baseline and reversing “In terms of comparing him,” he said specifittcally of the ball off the glass, deflecting an entry to the post Happ, “he’s just a throwback kind of a kid. His feel and pouncing on it or passing the ball out of a dou- for the game is amazing. We always think of a point ble-team to an open shooter, the 6-foot-10 Happ guard running a team as having a great understand- has a unique game. ing of the game. For what he does, he’s above and How unique? beyond most centers. Each of Wisconsin’s assistant coaches were asked “He plays hard. He plays every play. He’s en- to fittll in the blank. grossed. He’s into the game. With the size of his Happ’s overall play reminds me of (blank) … hands, the length of his arms, he can be persuasive “That’s a good question,” Lamont Paris said. “That’s under the glass. He doesn’t get trapped under there a really good question.” without some spice to his game: he can score with “Oh, wow,” said Howard Moore. “It’s tough to either hand or come out the other side of the rim.” compare him to anybody.” Although the Boilermakers overpowered Wiscon- “Boy, I’m searching for somebody,” Joe Krabben- sin, 66-55, on the strength of their inside-outside hoft said. “Let me try and think here.” game, Happ more than held his own against Swani- CBS analyst Bill Raftery joined them in this quan- gan and Haas. Besides leading the Badgers in scor- dary. Last week, the 73-year-old Raftery had a Pac- ing with 17 points, he had fittve rebounds, four as- 12 game featuring Arizona’s Dusan Ristic (7-0, 245) sists and six steals, which matched his career high. and Utah’s David Collette (6-10, 220). On Sunday, “He’s so much quicker than anybody we play on he was courtside to watch Happ battle with Pur- our front line,” said Purdue head coach Matt Paint- due’s Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas. er. “Like with a dribble handoff, or a ball screen, he “What they have in common,” Raftery said of just gets his hands in there and he’s always moving

Happ, Collette and Ristic, “is outstanding balance his feet. And it’s hard to throw the ball in the post BOB CAMPBELL and footwork. I didn’t say this on the air the other against him. night, but they are throwbacks and not to George “He kind of jumps left to right, kind of plays the

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 2 OF 8 post defense different than anybody we go against. But he’s so fast for somebody 6-9 that he just caus- es a lot of problems.” “YOU’VE GOT A GUY WHO PLAYS REALLY Happ may look shorter. But he is listed at 6-10. Is HARD AND CAN HANDLE THE BALL. that legit? “ YOU’VE GOT A GUY WHO’S GOT GREAT “Without shoes, no,” Happ said. “With shoes, I am.” FOOTWORK AND A GOOD TOUCH AROUND His weight fluctuates between 227 and 230. THE RIM WITH A SKILL SET THAT CAN Same as last season. DEVELOP FROM THE OUTSIDE. HE’S JUST SO “But my lean mass is up,” he said, “and my fat mass DIFFERENT FROM MOST OF THE is down.” GUYS THAT I’VE BEEN AROUND.” His handle is off the charts, too, for someone his size. “Most big guys can’t dribble and pass,” Painter said. “He can dribble, he can spin, he can pass. That’s the one matchup for us when (Nigel) Hayes and him get into that mid-post — free-throw line extended, and they start driving it — it’s hard to read because he (Happ) is so good with the dribble.” Happ was asked for his take on the topic, “Who plays like you?” “I don’t see anyone with a similarity to my game,” he said. “I’ve heard Kevin McHale.” The 6-10 McHale, an NBA Hall of Famer, had a wide array of low post moves like the up and under. “He (Happ) has a lot of pump fakes and pivots like McHale around the rim,” agreed Paris, who’s also aware that McHale had a variety of shots in his ar- senal, including a face-up jumper. “I don’t have a lot of skills that he had,” Happ said of McHale, the former All-American at Minnesota. “But I don’t think he had the ball-handling ability that I have, either. My game is unique because of being a guard all my life and then turning into a post player (in high school and college).” It’s that uniqueness that truly stands out. “He’s a combination of so many types of guys,” Paris said. “You’ve got a guy who plays really hard and can handle the ball. You’ve got a guy who’s got great footwork and a good touch around the rim with a skill set that can develop from the outside. “He’s just so different from most of the guys that I’ve been around — from handling the ball to how active and quick he is on defense. Vertically, he’s not spectacular as an athlete. But he’s really good laterally. It’s just hard to compare him to somebody.” Moore came up with a name out of the past: 6-7 JOHN FISHER Sam Okey, the Cassville, Wisconsin, legend. Okey played two and one-half years for the Badgers (av-

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 3 OF 8 eraging 12 points and 7 rebounds in 68 games) Gard. “Mike’s game was more perimeter-oriented. before transferring to Iowa for his fittnal season of But Ethan keeps his balance and counters similar to eligibility. He played in only seven games for the the way Mike used to play.” Hawkeyes. A few weeks ago, former UW center Greg Stiems- In 2016, Happ was the Big Ten’s consensus Fresh- ma was in Madison and practiced with the team. man of the Year. He was the fittrst to be so honored The 6-11 Stiemsma is currently an NBA free agent at Wisconsin since Okey in 1996. and pondering retirement after playing in 203 ca- “Sam was a better shooter,” said Moore. “But he reer games with Boston, Minnesota, New Orleans would be the closest to a big man coming in as a and Toronto. young guy and having an immediate impact. Ethan “Guarding him the other day, he knows how is just a tough matchup. Also, it’s unfair to compare to play, he knows how to use his body,” said the him to somebody else because he has established 31-year-old Stiemsma, a close friend of Krabben- his own identity and niche. hoft. “It’s not that easy to be that size and be that “He might have one bad play. But the next play, crafty. He’s a hard guy to keep in front of you in the you see another gear. That’s a testament to him. A post. year ago, he might have wallowed in a bad play a “By using the right angles (around the basket), it little bit. But I’ve seen a lot more resiliency and a lot limits how much you have to work in the sense of more bounce back this year. He has the ability to making it a little bit easier on yourself. Physically, put a play behind him if it didn’t go in his favor.” you don’t have to move anybody (a defender) as Krabbenhoft suggested another former UW play- far. It makes him more efficient and efficiency in this er, 6-8 Mike Wilkinson, the Wisconsin Heights game can lead to success.” product. Wilkinson, like Happ, redshirted as a true What advice would Stiemsma offer Happ? freshman. Playing in 130 games, he led the Badgers “Just stay with it,” he said. “As a big man in a big in rebounding four straight years while posting 14 program in a big basketball world, sometimes the career double-doubles and scoring 1,532 points. learning curve can be a little slow. I wish I could “He is a little bit like Wilkinson in terms of his have fittgured it out sooner. Trust your game and footwork, feel for the game and the use of his body work on all the little stuff you’re not good at. But at around the rim,” said Wisconsin head coach Greg the same time flourish in the stuff you’re good at.” JOHN FISHER

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 4 OF 8

SPINNING TO THE BASELINE AND REVERSING THE BALL OFF THE GLASS “HE HAS GOTTEN BETTER IN Happ didn’t spend must time on the low block in MAKING DECISIONS IN TRANSITION high school. “ As he grew, he said, “I turned into a wing-type AND KNOWING WHEN TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND WHEN TO player — catching, driving, stuff like that.” STOP, ALONG WITH KNOWING WHEN When he got to Wisconsin, he got a crash course on how to set up scoring angles from Frank Kamin- TO KEEP GOING. THAT HAS BEEN sky. Happ was on the scout team as a freshman and A GROWTH IN HIS GAME.” matched daily against Kaminsky. “With Frank, if you didn’t have an angle, it was Happ has already begun to flourish in many areas: tough to score over the top of him,” said Happ, GRABBING A DEFENSIVE REBOUND AND LEAD- a two-time all-state selection at Rockridge High ING THE BREAK School in Taylor Ridge, Illinois. “Playing against a Before he can get out and run with the ball, he 7-footer, the national player of the year, defittnitely must snag it. made my game a lot better.” Swanigan leads the Big Ten in rebounding (12.9), Happ is right-handed. For the most part.

Happ is tied for second (9.1). DAVID STLUKA “If you want to get a lot of rebounds,” Happ said, “you have to anticipate when the shot is going up and work for position. You also have to antici- pate which way the ball is coming off the rim. He (Swanigan) does a lot of work early. That’s what I try to do as well.” Happ was a point guard during his formative years as a youth player. As a result, he feels com- fortable putting the ball on the floor and pushing it. “When he does that,” Gard said, “it puts that much more pressure on the defense and it allows us to run another shooter wide versus having the guard as the ball-handler.” Before Sunday’s game, Happ said, “If they’re go- ing to pressure our point guard and I have Haas or Swanigan on me, I might do that a couple of times. I like to do that. Most of the time, we have num- bers if I can get a rebound and push it, my guy is usually behind me — usually with two other guys. “If we don’t have numbers,” he quickly added, “I jump stop and give the ball to the point guard to start the offense.” That recognition and/or decision-making signals improvement to Gard. “He used to be kind of a train going down the tracks with no brakes,” Gard said. “Now, he has gotten better in making decisions in transition and knowing when to slow down a little bit and when ICON SPORTSWIRE to stop, along with knowing when to keep going. That has been a growth in his game.”

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 5 OF 6 DAVID STLUKA

“I do a lot of things right-handed,” he said. “But I to sniff out the spin move a little with fittlm work and eat with my left and write with my left. And I defitt- scouting. It’s not as easy for him to get that move as nitely have just as much or more confittdence in my it has been in the past. He has had to add another left hand around the rim, especially jump hooks. component to his game. When they shut it off, you That just comes with a lot of hard work practicing have to have a counter to it. in the gym.” “And he’s getting better going to the middle and Gard used the word ambidextrous, but not in the trusting his jump hooks.” manner you might expect. This year, Happ unveiled a face-up jumper from “Everybody talks about being ambidextrous with the elbow. He’s 1-of-3 from that distance. your hands,” Gard said. “But you can be ambidex- “There will be more,” he promised. trous with your feet, too — being comfortable going Raftery sees the upside and potential for expand- either way. It really doesn’t matter which block that ing his range. he’s on because he’s comfortable with that spin “If he can make the 15- to 17-foot jumper, what a move.” complement it would be to everything else he does,” As far as what factors into this thinking in the post, said Raftery, the former Seton Hall head coach. “I’m and what move he might try to execute on the right talking about growing — down the road.” or left block, Happ said, “It’s whatever they give me Raftery then spun a story. (on defense). Whether they’re on me or playing off “Years ago, Red Holzman drafted Walt Frazier,” me, I’ll then decide which move I’m going to do. he said of the former New York Knicks coach and “The reverse lay-up has been something in my Southern Illinois point guard. “Everybody in New game for a really long time, so it’s kind of natural York had seen Frazier play in the NIT and he was for me. Especially with big hands, it’s easy to palm really good. But what about his shot? Holzman’s an- the ball. The spin is obviously difficult, and the an- swer was, ‘We practice every day. His form is fittne.’” gles, but I’ve done it so much, it’s more natural than Raftery equated that to Happ. anything else.” “The confittdence will come in knowing he can make Happ might have taken some unsuspecting oppo- it,” he said of refittning his jumper through practice nents by surprise last season. repetitions. “I think the future is very bright for him “But now,” Gard said, “the opposition is starting because he can expand his game.”

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 6 OF 8 DEFLECTING AN ENTRY TO THE POST AND nation are really good. But he just baits passers into POUNCING ON IT a lot of steals.” Nebraska’s Glynn Watson leads the Big Ten in Happ developed these instincts playing football steals with 34 (2.1 per game). Happ, who led the with his brother in the backyard. conference last season (1.8), is second with 30 “We had two neighbors the same age as us and steals (1.9). we’d play two-on-two,” he said. “I would guard the “You have to pick your wide receiver and try to spots,” Happ said. “Two bait him (the quarter- percent of it is luck, I “THE CONFIDENCE WILL COME IN back) into throwing an in- guess you could say. But terception. That’s where KNOWING HE CAN MAKE IT. I THINK THE a lot of it has to do with “ honestly I think the bait- anticipating and trying to FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT FOR HIM BE- ing skills come from.” fake out the passer. On a CAUSE HE CAN EXPAND HIS GAME.” At this level, of course, lot of steals, I try to make fittlm study is an influential them think that one way or one side is open and element. then take it away.” “It’s not that different from last year,” said Happ, Gard had a word for his technique. who had 63 steals. “One of the reasons you can “You watch him on fittlm and he kind of baits guys attribute that high steal rate to was that I kind of into throwing the ball,” he said. “He’ll duck and dive knew guys’ tendencies. While they’re showing clips and pretend that he’s going to one side and end up of guards, I’ll watch what the bigs are doing, even on other side. His footwork and eye-hand coordi- when they’re off the ball.”

▼ TAP TO WATCH - Badgers Ready for Ohio State STEVE GOTTER

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 7 OF 8 PASSING THE BALL OUT OF A DOUBLE-TEAM from Kaminsky. TO AN OPEN SHOOTER “He just gave me some strategy for when the Happ has 46 assists. Last season, he had 44 as- double-teams come,” he said. sists in 35 games. Sounds good. What did Kaminsky tell him? “The biggest things are poise and patience — he “I can’t divulge that information,” Happ said po- doesn’t try to play too fast out of the double team,” litely. “Sorry about that.” Gard said. “He doesn’t get as frantic as maybe he But Happ did say, “You have to be strong with the did when he was younger. He seems to enjoy pick- ball.” ing people apart a little bit. For his size, he’s a pretty He left it at that. And, yes, he leaves it all on the adept passer and sees the floor very well.” floor. Earlier in the season, Happ got some pointers His motor is part of his makeup, if not his unique- ness. DAVID STLUKA “He just works harder than most of the guys that he goes against,” Krabbenhoft said. “People get caught up on how crafty he is around the rim. But the fittrst thing I see when I watch him or play against him (in prac- tice) is a guy that has got a motor. He just comes at you and at you and at you …” Happ never leaves home without it. “That’s everything to me, that’s how I got recruit- ed,” he said. “A high school player who’s trying to get recruited asked me what he could do and I told him, ‘Coaches love a high motor. They love a guy who gets after it every single posses- sion and doesn’t take plays off.’ “That’s what I’ve tried to embody my whole career. In open gyms, when I’m not getting after it, I always play poorly because I need to engage myself on every play. I have to be the hard- est worker on the floor ev- ery time. If you settle for anything less than that …” He didn’t have to fittll in the blank.

ETHAN HAPP: UNCOMMON DRIVE PAGE 8 OF 8 DAVID STLUKA

Fill the Bowl big win for fans, region Packing the Kohl Center is ticket to great hockey and community too BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER

t speaks volumes of the Wisconsin women’s Tickets for the event cost $1 and fans are encour- hockey program that it has a chance to set an- aged to bring non-perishable food items that will Iother national attendance standard this weekend. be donated to the Community Action Coalition. But those involved will tell you it’s a shared Wisconsin introduced the “Fill the Bowl” concept achievement. in 2008 and promptly drew a then-record 5,377 The Badgers have drawn the four largest sin- fans. Similar presentations were made in 2011 and gle-game crowds in NCAA history, including a re- ’12, pushing the bar to 10,688 and 12,402, respec- cord 13,573 that watched a Western Collegiate tively. Hockey Association duel with archrival Minnesota The fact that advance ticket sales are nearly at the Kohl Center on Feb. 15, 2014. 12,000 begs the question: Does this level of inter- Top-ranked UW will try and surpass that mark est say more about the four-time NCAA champion Saturday at 4 p.m. when it hosts St. Cloud State Badgers or their fans, who regularly sell out LaBahn? in a WCHA series fittnale at the 15,359-seat Kohl “It’s a combination of both,” said UW coach Mark Center. Johnson, who has 413 career victories and an .818 The meeting will come a day after the clubs open winning percentage in his 14th season at his alma the series at adjacent 2,273-seat LaBahn Arena. mater. The game Saturday will mark the fittfth time that “Early on, 10, 12 years ago, you’re trying to sell the Badgers will use their “Fill the Bowl” promotion the product to the community and challenge peo- to try and make turnstile history. ple to come out and watch it.

FILL THE BOWL BIG WIN FOR FANS, REGION PAGE 1 OF 3 “Obviously, some of the players that we’ve had, “IT’S AMAZING THAT WE HAVE SO some of the teams that we’ve had, some of the suc- MUCH (ATTENTION) FOR WOMEN’S cess that we’ve had, the community has embraced it. “They still don’t have to come if they choose not HOCKEY,” MAUERMANN SAID. “A LOT OF to, but they choose to come because they enjoy PLACES AREN’T AS FORTUNATE AS WE what they see.” ARE, SO WE LOVE IT.” Some perspective: Two NCAA Frozen Four en- tries last March, Boston College and Clarkson, drew 8,244 and 6,353, respectively, for their entire home “The outcome wasn’t what we wanted,” Ryan said seasons. this week. “We want to redeem ourselves.” Freshman winger Alexis Mauermann grew up in UW is expected to be at full strength for the Hus- Janesville and recalls making many trips to the Kohl kies, including Desbiens, who’s been sidelined since Center to see the UW men’s team play. mid-December with a knee injury suffered while “It was always a thought in my mind that it would playing an international game for Team Canada. be so cool one day to play there,” she said. Johnson, the coach’s daughter, said for her fittrst Mauermann marvels at all the people who show go-around she was more focused on “pretending up to see the Badgers. like it’s not making you super-nervous” to play in “It’s amazing that we have so much (attention) for front of so many people. women’s hockey,” she said. “A lot of places aren’t as Now? fortunate as we are, so we love it.” ▼ TAP TO WATCH - Who's Ready to Fill the Bowl?

One of seven freshmen DAVID STLUKA on the Wisconsin roster, Mauermann said she’s anxious to get a feel for the uncommon atmo- sphere. “We’re used to big crowds, but this is defitt- nitely going to be one of the biggest we’re going to play,” she said. Members of the current senior class — defense- man Mellissa Channell, goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens, winger Mikayla Johnson, center and cap- tain Sydney McKibbon, winger Sarah Nurse and defenseman Jenny Ryan — were rookies for the last “Fill the Bowl” moment. All but Desbiens were in the lineup during a 4-0 DAVID STLUKA loss to the Gophers, which put a damper on the big- crowd experience.

FILL THE BOWL BIG WIN FOR FANS, REGION PAGE 2 OF 3 “We’ve realized how special it is,” Mikayla said. 12,000 people,” he said. “We’re already lucky for all the things we get. After all, it’s not just the players who get a charge Now, on top of it, we get to go do something spe- out of them. cial like this. It’s something you won’t forget.” “Those evenings are special,” said Johnson, a for- Ryan, an alternate captain, said she didn’t know mer UW, Olympic and NHL standout. “The coaches what to expect the fittrst time she played before a enjoy those moments as much as the players do.” record crowd at the Kohl Center. The Badgers (18-2-1 overall, 13-2-1 in the WCHA) “Stepping out and actually seeing how many peo- are fresh off staging a public skate at Vilas Park and ple came out to see us play was amazing,” she said. a Hockey 101 clinic for kids. Now comes an oppor- “It’s a really special mo- tunity to gather food ment to see how many for the needy. fans care about our “WE’RE ALREADY LUCKY FOR ALL THE THINGS “We’re helping peo- team so much. WE GET. NOW, ON TOP OF IT, WE GET TO ple while playing the “We’ve played hock- GO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL LIKE THIS. game we love,” Mauer- ey all our lives and IT’S SOMETHING YOU WON’T FORGET.” mann said. never been able to play If another attendance in front of that many record falls against the people, so it’s really awesome to have that chance. Huskies (6-14-2, 4-11-1) then all the better. “It’s defittnitely a loud environment. You know “I think it says a lot about the women’s hockey there’s a lot of people, but you can’t necessarily see game in general,” Ryan said. “Obviously we’ve come them all.” a long way. Ten years ago I don’t think this many Back in the pre-LaBahn days — it was unveiled people would come out and watch.” in 2012 — Mark Johnson recalled practicing at the It’s a unique arrangement. Kohl Center and wondering about an event like “Fill “It says something about our fan base and how the Bowl.” special Madison is just in itself,” Mikayla Johnson “Wouldn’t it be cool if we got our players an op- said. “Being able to get that many people to come portunity … to play in front of 8,000 or 10,000 or and support a women’s hockey team is pretty cool.” DAVID STLUKA USA TODAY

FILL THE BOWL BIG WIN FOR FANS, REGION PAGE 3 OF 3 INSIDE FOOTBALL BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER ICON SPORTSWIRE

All-American Ramczyk looks to NFL Junior looks to join list of Badgers selected in draft’s first round

yan Ramczyk became one of the most unusual one-and- TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE done talents in Wisconsin football history Monday when Rthe junior left tackle announced he was declaring for the NFL draft.

Ramczyk made his decision after his only season of play with UW, putting him on a list that includes NFL greats Elroy Hirsch and . Exactly a week after helping the Badgers knock off previously unbeaten Western Michigan 24-16 in the Cotton Bowl, Ram- cyzk informed head coach Paul Chryst and offensive line coach

SCROLL Joe Rudolph of his plans. “It was a defittnitely a difficult decision, but at the end of the day, when I fittnished playing in the bowl game, it became a lot easier,” Ramczyk said. “I realized it’s really what I want to do. That gave me comfort.” The move wasn’t a surprise. Ramczyk, listed at 6-foot-6 and 314 pounds, said he received INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET a fittrst-round grade from NFL talent evaluators, an assessment that came before he underwent surgery Jan. 5 to repair damage SOCIAL in his right hip. MEDIA: “The surgeon said there was less damage than he expected and it went well,” Ramczyk said. “I won’t be able to test (physically) at the (NFL) combine, but I’ll be there for all the interviews and test and measurements. “It’s a big decision, but with this opportunity it’s pretty difficult to pass up.” Ramczyk joins junior outside linebacker T.J. Watt as Wisconsin underclassmen to declare for the upcoming NFL draft. Watt did so last week after leading the Badgers in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. The road Ramczyk traveled to this moment was neither straight nor smooth. He was an all-state selection at Stevens Point Area High School in 2011, but turned down a scholarship offer from Chryst, then the coach at Pittsburgh, because it was too far from home. Ramczyk signed with NCAA Division II Winona (Minnesota) State, but never played there. He then bounced to Mid-State Technical College, where he pondered a career as a welder, be- fore making his way to Division III UW-Stevens Point. INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS JACK MCLAUGHLIN

Maximizing the Badgers’ playing time Wisconsin’s coaches track minutes each player spends on the floor

ne of the unique things that the new Badger coaching TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE staff does for its players is closely watch the number of Ominutes they play a game. A key duty on the bench is for the assistant coaches to track

the minutes played for each and every player. If you listen close- ly, you’ll hear comments like “Kendra’s at four-and-a-half” or “Cayla’s at fittve.” What they’re talking about is the amount of time each player has been on the court. “We track minutes to try to maximize our rotation so players

SCROLL are at their freshest the entire game,” head coach Jonathan Tsi- pis explained. “We also try and squeeze breaks around media time outs or at the end of quarters to steal some extra time.” The rotation system shows up on the UW statistics. All fittve starters average 30 minutes or less per game with only fittve players over 20 minutes per game. Junior Cayla- McMor

ris averages a team-high 30 minutes per game while Courtney TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET Fredrickson (27.7), Avyanna Young (26.9), Kendra Van Leeuw- en (26.8), and Ashley Kelsick (20.7) are all over 20 minutes per SOCIAL game. MEDIA: “We started it my second year at George Washington as we worked on implementing a fast-paced offense based on posts who could really run the floor,” said Tsipis. “Also, we talked with NBA, WNBA and international coaches when we switched to quarters on how they divided minutes with quarters.” The Badger system allows 12 players to average double fittg- ures in minutes per game. It also shows up in scoring as 10 play- ers averaging 3.0 or more points per game. As Tsipis says, “We’re not good enough to rely on any one, or two, or three players. It has to be a team effort.” Wisconsin practices its fast-paced offense on a daily basis. During team practices, drills are accelerated to mimic a game- like atmosphere. Only a few minutes are spent on each drill be- fore quickly moving on to the next drill. The players are also monitored closely during practice as Tsipis explains, “We include the heart-rate monitor data from practice to see how much a certain individual can sustain.” ■ INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER GREG ANDERSON

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badgers sweep Michigan State in weekend series Five takeaways from series vs. MSU Wisconsin’s improved play earns sweep of Spartans to lead in Big Ten Move top up 2 & bottom down 1

ive takeaways on the Wisconsin men’s hockey team fol- TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE lowing its Big Ten Conference series with Michigan State: F One: UW (10-7-1 overall, 3-1 in the Big Ten) wanted to open the second half of the season with a statement and it did

so by virtue of 5-1 victories over the Spartans on Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center. It was the fewest goals allowed in a series by the Badgers this season and equaled their best show- ing over the previous 44 regular-season weekends going back to 2013-14. The only other time during that stretch where Wis- consin allowed two goals or less on a given two-game weekend

SCROLL was Oct. 30 and 31, 2015 when it outscored Arizona State, in its fittrst year as a Division I independent, 7-2. Two: The Badgers still rank 44th out of 60 Division I teams in goals against average (3.28) following the sweep, but a closer look shows they now have held opponents to two goals or less in eight games and are 7-1 in those instances. For perspective, Wisconsin limited opponents to two goals or fewer nine times INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET all last season (5-4) and 10 times in 2014-15 (3-4-3). Three: UW associate head coach Mark Osiecki said Sunday SOCIAL that he expects freshman defenseman JD Greenway to be avail- MEDIA: able Jan. 20 and 21 when the Badgers return to action by hosting Minnesota. Greenway suffered an upper-body injury during the second period Friday vs. the Spartans and didn’t play Saturday. Four: The absence of Greenway, coupled with the second-pe- riod ejection Saturday of veteran defenseman Tim Davison, allowed Osiecki an opportunity to measure the growth of the blue-line corps while rotating fittve players. “I thought the guys on Friday were a little bit anxious, a little bit amped up for the most part,” he said, alluding to the rust from a 26-day holiday break. “That being said, they played well, especially when JD went out. All fittve stepped up and played well.” As far as the se- ries fittnale, Osiecki said the unit — sophomore Patrick Sexton re- placed Greenway — was “quiet” and that’s a good thing. Osiecki said that as the game went on the defensemen got better and better. “They just kept it simple, doing things quick and hard and didn’t try to force things,” he said. Five: The Badgers have outshot opponents by 10 or more in a game on 12 occasions this season — including the last six — and rank second nationally in shot margin each game at plus-11. This might be the most dramatic illustration of the new offen- sive philosophy employed by fittrst-year coach Tony Granato and his staff. Over the previous three seasons, Wisconsin had but 11 games where it had a double-digit shot advantage over its opponent. ■ INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY A.J. HARRISON ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Who’s Ready to Fill the Bowl? Badgers return home for six games UW begins home swing with “Fill the Bowl” at the Kohl Center

fter a tumultuous weekend in Missouri that resulted in a TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE game between the Badgers and Lindenwood being can- Acelled, the No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team re- turns home to begin a six-game homestand with a series against

St. Cloud State. UW began its series with Lindenwood with a 5-1 victory on Friday, but during the game many players felt ill, were losing their breath and dealing with headaches and fatigue. After the game, the rink was tested for carbon monoxide and was closed after a high rating was detected.

SCROLL “The game got real slow and real ugly in the third period,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “I couldn’t fittgure out why other than the fact that it was our fittrst game in a month. So you look at it that way. But as we got back to the hotel you could sense something was more serious than not playing for a period of time. “We’re fortunate enough that the fittre department, the EMS, INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET the police department set up enough people that all of our play- ers, instead of having to go to the hospital, all got tested right SOCIAL in the lobby of the hotel at 12:30 at night. A couple kids were MEDIA: worse than other kids and one of our players had to go to the hospital. “It was a dangerous situation and fortunately all of the people that were involved in it got tested.” The Badgers returned to Madison on Saturday afternoon feel- ing better and all the players were back at practice on Monday to prepare for their weekend series against St. Cloud State that begins the UW homestand. “The fittrst half of the season featured a lot of road trips,” senior Sarah Nurse said. “It’s comforting being at home because we love playing in our rink in front of our fans.” INSIDE WRESTLING BY KELLI GRASHEL ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS PAM RUSCHELL

▲ TAP TO WATCH - Highlights: Johnny’s back, Jordan milestone, big Big Ten wins Key wins put Badgers back on track Strong individual performances vs. OSU prepare UW for road weekend

he fittnal team score often won’t reflect the most exciting TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE parts of a match. Despite the Wisconsin wrestling team’s T23-15 loss to Ohio State last Friday, the Badgers are about to dive in to the heart of conference season with some

exciting individual wins under their belts. The dual began in a familiar place, starting at 165 pounds with the Buckeyes for the second year in a row. But this time it was a little different and a bit of a relief, as senior Isaac Jordan did not have to wrestle his Buckeye cousin, Bo, for the fittrst time in two years. Bo moved up to the 174-pound weight class, pairing

SCROLL Isaac with fellow Ohio native Cody Burcher. Jordan took the win, 4-1, but it wasn’t just any ordinary win. It was the 100th of his successful career. “It’s special doing it at home,” Jordan said. “I love dual meets. I love coming out here in front of our fans. It’s special and it’s nice having my family here, my grandparents and even Bo and

Mic (cousins) even though they are on the other side, to see it.” TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET Jordan stayed home from the Midlands Championship in late

December, but is now on an upward rise since hitting a bump in SOCIAL the road at the Cliff Keen Invite. MEDIA: “We’ve been working out a lot of things in the room trying to get back to where I know I can wrestle. You may have not seen it tonight (against Ohio State), but in the room I’m seeing a lot of progression and I’m looking forward to the Nebraska-Minnesota weekend.” He wasn’t the only one who showed he was on the rise against the Buckeyes. The dual ended in dramatic fashion with a re- match between TJ Ruschell, brother of UW assistant coach Kyle Ruschell, and Jake Ryan, the son of OSU head coach Tom Ryan. Ryan pinned Ruschell in their last meeting, but Ruschell came back with a vengeance Friday, taking down Ryan with an excit- ing 6-2 decision.