FINISHED BUSINESS For the first time in exactly a year, the Badgers could say they were riding a three-game win streak after a 66-60 win over Michigan on Monday — thanks in large part to 21 points from Taylor Wurtz (2). PHOTO BY ROSS LADUE IN FOCUS IN FOCUS BANNER ACHIEVEMENT Badgers fans were asked to “Fill the Bowl” for Saturday’s matchup with Bemidji State. Fill it they did, as an NCAA-record crowd of 12,402 came to the Kohl Center to take in No. 1 Wisconsin’s 1-0 win. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA
FEBRUARY 2, 2012 CONTENTS VOLUME 2, ISSUE 26
» AHEAD OF THE GAME The start of their first fall camp is still six months away, but freshmen Dan Voltz, Hugs Etienne 26 and Vonte Jackson are already on campus and getting a head start on becoming Badgers. 48 DEPARTMENTS » LOOK WHO’S BACK 10 LUCAS AT LARGE Reflecting on last year’s big by Mike Lucas win over No. 1 Ohio State as the Buckeyes return to 14 BADGER BRIEFING Madison to battle Wisconsin News and notes for the Big Ten lead. 18 BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW 20 ASK THE BADGERS Signing day memories 22 5 THINGS TO WATCH 24 BADGERING... 38 Matt Paape » THE CLASS OF 2012 64 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY A look at each member of Harris makes his point(s) the Wisconsin football team’s 66 THE VOICE latest class of incoming by Matt Lepay freshmen.
EDITOR’S NOTE Here we go again Varsity is published weekly by: Wisconsin Athletic Communications as it really been a year? The memories of Wiscon- Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., sin’s 71-67 win over then-No. 1 Ohio State seem too Madison, WI 53711 Hfresh to actually be a year old. The calendar, however, doesn’t lie. Subscribe to Varsity Now 50 weeks after they toppled the top-ranked Buckeyes with a comeback for the ages, the Badgers will once again View All Issues defend their home floor against OSU on Saturday. The challenge hasn’t changed over the past three weeks — the Buckeyes are just as talented as they were when Big Ten Brian Lucas play began — but what is on the line for UW certainly has. Director of Athletic Communications Remember how the sky was falling after Wisconsin dropped its third-consecutive Big Ten game to fall to 1-3 in league play Brian Mason — including a pair of ultra-rare losses at home? Editor All UW has done since is rattle of six consecutive wins —
including three in a row on the road. Mike Lucas A team that hadn’t won at Purdue and Lead Writer Illinois in the same season since before the Great Depression checked off wins in Matt Lepay West Lafayette and Champaign. Columnist Win a ninth-straight game over Indi- Drew Scharenbroch ana? They did that, too. Video Production Now the Badgers find themselves sit- BRIAN ting second in the Big Ten standings with Drew Pittner-Smith MASON a chance to knock the Buckeyes from Advertising their perch atop the league. It’s not that they’ve looked unbeatable — far from it — but Contributors maybe that’s part of what’s been encouraging about the team’s Karl Anderson, Paul Capobianco, recent run. The Badgers have had to gut out some close ones Charlie Healy, Patrick Herb, and grind their way through some rough patches. Ross LaDue, Diane Nordstrom, Knowing that they could dig deep and find a way to win was Anna Poulter-Hendrickson a quality that served last year’s Badgers well when they found themselves down 15 points in the second half against OSU. Photography True, Jordan Taylor put on a performance for the ages with David Stluka, Greg Anderson, 21 second-half points to lift Wisconsin to an exhilarating win. Neil Ament, Ross LaDue, Taylor was the answer when the Badgers desperately needed Patrick Herb one that day last February. Icon SMI, Associated Press Maybe it will be someone else Saturday. If there’s an answer to be found against OSU, this team is capable of finding it. Problems or Accessibility Issues? Being doubted is nothing new for the Badgers, but neither [email protected] is surpassing expectations. Wisconsin is 5-1 against top-five ranked teams at the Kohl Center under Bo Ryan. The road has been kind to the Badgers this year, but with a © 2012 Board of Regents of the highly-ranked Buckeyes squad back in Madison with the Big University of Wisconsin System. Ten lead on the line, here’s another chance to prove there’s no All rights reserved worldwide. place like home. LUCAS AT LARGE MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM Behind the scenes, Betlach does it all here was an outpouring of semester — brought some valuable brothers,’’ she said, “and hav- emotion and support for the perspective to the role that Betlach ing two sons and teaching middle Trecipient of the 2011 Cap- plays for the Badgers. school math for 28 years, you just tains Cup, which underscores an “There’s really no other school learn to juggle a lot of things. unselfish commitment to the UW that has a person like her,’’ said “You learn if you want to feel football program by a non-player Voltz, one of the most highly good about your job, you do what or coach. recruited lineman in the nation. needs to be done.’’ The reaction was predictable “She’s another reason why I felt Betlach is very good at making because of the award winner, like this was the place for me.’’ time for those who need it. Sharon Betlach, who brings her At one point last Friday, it was own personal touch to the recruit- the new assistant who needed to ing process by building enduring “She has touched every get an ID card; the member of relationships with prospects and recruit who has ever football operations who needed to parents. check a schedule; the committed “When her name was an- come through here recruit who needed reassurance. nounced, everyone in the room since I’ve been here,” That’s taking care of a lot of stood up because she has touched Bielema said. needs all at once. “I hate to say it so many lives,’’ said UW coach Bret because it’s a cliché,’’ she said hesi- Bielema. ’’It was a true reflection of “Every time I make a tantly. “But it’s just doing whatever what she means to the program. home visit, Sharon’s needs to be done to help them with “I know that she has touched name is brought up.’’ the process.’’ every recruit who has ever come That would be the recruiting through here since I’ve been here process. The weeks leading up to (in 2004). Every time I make Betlach is the recruiting secre- the national signing day (Feb. 1) a home visit, Sharon’s name is tary/conduit/expeditor; one of the can be taxing; particularly so this brought up.’’ worker bees in the UW football of- season with so much turnover on Bring it up to Betlach — that fices. Last Friday afternoon, there the staff. special December moment when was a line of people at her desk. Even though the Badgers have Aaron Henry, Patrick Butrym, Take a number. a small signing class, Betlach said, Bradie Ewing and Russell Wilson “I have to budget my time,’’ she “It has probably been the most honored her at the awards banquet said, “because I’m multi-tasking all stressful recruiting time that I’ve — and her reaction is predictable. the time.’’ ever been through for a signing “Oh, my gosh, you’re going to In short, she spends “whatever day.’’ put me in tears again,’’ Betlach time needs to be spent to get the That covers a lot of ground since said. “It was the highlight of my job done.’’ she’s been on the job for well over professional career. That’s all I can Betlach, a Madison native, a decade. During that span, she be- say. The kids here are my second acquired her work ethic the old came quite close to many of those family.’’ fashioned way — from her parents. assistants who have moved on to One of those new kids — fresh- Her time management skills other schools. man offensive lineman Dan Voltz, have been honed out of necessity. “First of all, I miss them,’’ Bet- who’s enrolled for the second “Maybe being raised with three lach said. “They were staff but they
10 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 LUCAS AT LARGE LUCAS AT LARGE were good friends and every time ible in their eyes as a person who you see staff move on, it’s always can help through the steps. hard because you’ve built those “Recruiting can be stressful for relationships over years. families. So I try to put myself in “However, having met the new their shoes and be there to answer assistants, I’m very excited. They’re any question. The ultimate goal is very positive and upbeat and I feel you want that young person to go nothing but compassion for them where he’s comfortable. because they’ve been running all “We hope it’s here for most of over the place.’’ them. But if it’s not, you still want During the coaching transition, to help them move on to a place Betlach received an email from a where they’re going to play their recruit’s mother who expressed best and achieve their best aca- her anxiety.” she wrote, ‘Well, you demically.” know we’re a little nervous,’’’ she Betlach can credit her middle recounted. school teaching background for Betlach emailed her back, “You “Recruiting can be “being organized and listening to trusted Coach B (Bielema) when stressful for families. the kids when they’re struggling you supported your son and his with something and caring about decision to come here. And you So I try to put myself things that are important to them.’’ need to trust him now to bring in in their shoes and be Her recruiting pitch is academic; the best staff possible.’’ there to answer any a fastball over the heart of the Trust is an operative word. So is plate. stability. question,” Betlach said. “Ultimately these kids are not “She is always the same voice,’’ “The ultimate goal is going to play football forever,’’ Bielema said, “when they call in she said. “If somebody is trying to with questions.’’ you want that young decide between different institu- As you might anticipate, Betlach person to go where tions, the coaches can speak to the meshes well with moms. he’s comfortable.” football thing. “I think that’s my primary role, “I always ask, ‘Where do you absolutely,’’ she said. “They’re want your diploma to say you sending their sons away. For some, direct them to whoever has them. graduated from?’ it’s a first child. Even if it’s not, And they (moms) do call me con- “This is a great institution. Our some are sending them hundreds, stantly.’’ two sons, who weren’t athletes, thousands of miles away. Betlach starts building those graduated from here. I know the “I want to reassure those moms relationships with parents on their opportunities available to them be- that there’s somebody here for first campus visit — which is usu- cause of the education and all the them and their sons. I don’t know ally when they accompany their networking that can go on.’’ anything about X’s and O’s, okay. son to Madison for a home game in Last Friday, the recruit that was But I try to know a little bit about the fall. waiting at Betlach’s desk got the all the other things. “I seek them out on game days,’’ reassurance he needed. “I’m going to be here when that she said. “The coaches are really “You just give him a hug,’’ she young man has a question. I don’t good about bringing my name into said, “and tell them, ‘This is going know the answers but I can always it and that begins to make me cred- to be your second home.’’’
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BADGER BRIEFING
The fund developed from the ticket sales at the game will launch a program to place UW students in nonprofit organiza- tions, providing the students with critical practicum experi- ences while also benefitting the exponentially expanding non- profit sector with next-genera- tion talent. Preceeding the game will be the annual Crazylegs Classic. The 8K run and two-mile walk get underway at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Square and finish -in side Camp Randall Stadium. Registration for the Crazylegs Classic is now open by visiting www.CrazylegsClassic.com
RIGSBY NETS WEEKLY AWARD FROM WCHA Details finalized for Wisconsin women’s hockey goaltender Alex Rigsby was 2012 Spring Game named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for the third time For second-straight year, Wisconsin Football this season, the conference an- Spring Game to serve as campus fundraiser nounced on Wednesday. The sophomore posted her sixth shutout of the season and The 2012 Wisconsin Foot- Money raised through ticket yielded just one-even strength ball Spring Game presented by sales will specifically help fund goal while helping the No. Culver’s will be held Saturday, student internships for UW 1-ranked Badgers to a pair of April 28. Kickoff is set for 4 students within nonprofit orga- league victories over visiting p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium, nizations. Bemidji State. Director of Athletics Barry Al- While demand for student Rigsby stopped 64 of 66 shots varez announced Wednesday. interns is significant and grow- in the series for a .970 saves Tickets are $5 and are on sale ing, many nonprofit organiza- percentage in Wisconsin’s now. Proceeds will benefit the tions do not have the financial weekend sweep. In the first UW Center for Nonprofits in capacity to support students game, Jan. 27, Rigsby stopped the UW School of Human Ecol- (stipends, travel expenses, 36 shots on goal in a 3-2 over- ogy. etc.). time triumph.
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BADGER BRIEFING
NOTABLE | Over its last five games — including an active three-game win streak — the women’s basketball team is shooting 42.5 percent from 3-point range.
On Saturday, Rigsby stopped all 28 shots she faced in a 1-0 Wisconsin victory over the Beavers at the Kohl Center that drew a NCAA women’s college hockey record crowd of 12,402. The shutout was her sixth of the season, tying her for the na- tion’s lead. So far this season, Rigsby owns a 24-2-2 record between the pipes, with a 1.49 goals- against average and a .949 save percentage over 1651:06 of action. She leads the nation in victories, is second in goals- against average and first in save » Sophomore Alex Rigsby percentage. was named Defensive Player stopped 64 of Bemidji State’s 66 This is the third weekly honor of the Week on Oct. 19 after a shots in the Badgers’ sweep. for Rigsby and the seventh for weekend split with the Gophers Wisconsin this season. Rigsby and on Oct. 25 after a sweep of broke teammate Taylor Smith’s then No. 5/6 Minnesota Du- short-lived school record (53-4 luth. 1/2). WORDS OF THE WEEK Wisconsin plays host to Min- Smith’s own mark of 53-3 nesota State this weekend with 3/4 earned her second place in “There wasn’t much game times set for 2 p.m. on Saturday’s event. both Friday and Sunday at the that impressed me, to Junior Jasmine Boyer came Kohl Center. in just behind with a distance be honest with you. His of 51-6 1/2 to take third place. skating needs work, his CARD TOPPLES SHOT The shot put was just one of shooting needs work, a PUT RECORD IN WIN five events the Badgers won in lot of parts of his game Wisconsin saw a new lead- the Bill Bergan Invitational to need work.” er emerge in the shot put last lift UW to the team title. » Men’s hockey junior forward weekend at the Bill Bergan In- UW notched 71 points to Derek Lee on men’s basketball vitational in Ames, Iowa. claim in the win in the team junior forward Mike Bruesewitz’s Freshman Kelsey Card race. Kansas State took second hockey skills after playing pond launched the shot for a mark of with 63.5 points, followed by hockey for a segment on Sun- 53 feet, 6 1/2 inches. Not only South Dakota in third with 44 day’s installment of ‘The Journey’ did the throw top Card’s pre- on Big Ten Network. points. Host Iowa State placed vious personal best, but it also fourth with 42 points.
16 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 TWEETED | Good road win always makes the travel back go faster...now if all the penn state fans could stop txting and calling me that would be great « @mbruesewitz31
WISCONSIN 15TH IN DIRECTORS’ CUP FALL STANDINGS Behind an NCAA title in « UW’s men’s cross country, a No. 11 national ranking in the final USA - To title in men’s cross day Coaches’ football poll and a country top-25 NCAA finish in women’s helped the cross country, Wisconsin ranks Badgers to a 15th-place 14th in the final fall standings finish in the of the 2011-12 Learfield Sports Learfield Directors’ Cup. Sports Di- rectors’ Cup The Badgers earned 100 fall stand- points for the NCAA champi- ings. onship by Mick Byrne’s men’s cross country team, the fifth in the 15th time in the 18-year his- Leading the Badgers on day school history. Bret Bielema’s tory of the Directors’ Cup the two were Beckie Thompson and Big Ten title-winning football Badgers have placed in the top Ashley Wanland, each of whom team finished 11th in the- fi 30. won individual events for UW. nal coaches’ poll, earning 66 Thompson took the 100 free- points. The women’s cross SWIMMING WRAPS UP style with a time of 50:35, while country team, under the direc- DUAL SEASON Wanland matched her with a tion of head coach Jim Stintzi, The Wisconsin women’s victory in the 200 breaststroke, placed 24th at the NCAA meet, swimming team wrapped up its posting an NCAA “B” qualifying earning 26 points. dual meet season by winning time of 2:13.21 in the process. Wisconsin is one of five Big two of its three duals over teh Thompson added a top time Ten teams among the top 16 in weekend at the Big Ten Quad in the 200 free relay to her im- the standings. That is the most Duals in Minneapolis. The Bad- pressive second day, joining of any conference in the coun- gers downed Illinois, 260-93, teammates Ruby and Ivy Mar- try. and edged Purdue, 187-177, be- tin as well as Rebecka Palm to UW finished 26th in last sea- fore falling to Minnesota, 238- a “B” qualifying time of 1:32.31. son’s Directors’ Cup standings, 138. Thompson, Palm, Ivy Mar- tin, and Laura Miller would go on to post another “B” qualify- YOUR TAKE » FACEBOOK.COM/WISCONSINBADGERS ing time of 3:22.93 en route to “Bart Houston is one of elite QB’s in the nation, Jackson is a four a third-place finish in the 400 star RB, plus they signed a four star LB...this looks like a darn freestyle relay. good signing day for Bucky!” The Big Ten championships » Comment from Douglas Rogers on Wisconsin’s signing class of 19 are up next in Iowa City, Iowa, players that officially joined the Badgers for 2012 on Wednesday. beginning Feb. 22.
17 BY THE NUMBERS
The Badgers weren’t the only winners Saturday thanks to a $12,402 donation to Second Harvest
MEN’S BASKETBALL UW’s Bo Ryan and .003 Ohio State coach Thad 53-6 ½ Matta boast the two WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD highest winning percentages in Big Ten Freshman Kelsey Card’s heave of 53 feet, history of coaches with at least five years in 6 1/2 inches wasn’t only enough to win the the league. Ryan’s mark of .713 is just .003 shot put at last weekend’s Bill Bergan Invi- ahead of Matta’s winning percentage in tational in Ames, Iowa, but also enough to conference games, meaning the winner of top teammate Taylor Smith’s school record Saturday’s matchup will hold the No. 1 spot. by two inches. Card’s win also helped UW secure the meet’s team title.
WOMEN’S $12,402 BASKETBALL The Badgers’ start- WOMEN’S HOCKEY 78.9 ing lineup has been With an NCAA-record crowd at the Bad- extremely productive this season, scoring gers’ Fill the Bowl game Saturday, Becker 78.9 percent of Wisconsin’s points. The Law offices of Madison donated $12,402 starting five scored 51 points in UW’s 66-60 to the Second Harvest Food Bank — $1 for win over Michigan on Monday, nearly five each fan in attendance. That topped the points better than its season average of 46.7 $10,668 raised by last year’s record crowd. points per game.
18 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 The Badgers weren’t the only winners Saturday thanks to a $12,402 donation to Second Harvest Question of the Week: Ask The How did it feel to make your BADGERS college decision?
CASSIE ROCHEL • SOPHOMORE • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL “I was on campus with my parents and high school coach the night the UW got a win, so everyone’s emotions were high. I had visited Wisconsin before and I really liked the campus and the team. I was actually crying when I walked out of the lock- er room to tell the coaches. I just felt like the time was right to become a Badger.”
BRETT HOCHSTAETTER • FRESHMAN • WRESTLING “It was exciting. I had just returned from the Wisconsin state wrestling tournament to find my acceptance letter in the mail. I knew the choice was clear to attend the UW. My parents immediately hugged me out of pure excitement.”
ALEXIS MITCHELL • JUNIOR • VOLLEYBALL “I actually made my decision in about two hours. My mom and I came on a visit here and I was kind of surprised when the coaches offered me a scholarship. After learning more about the volleyball program and the university, my mom and I ’’talked it over and, after watching a practice that same day, I became a Badger.”
20 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012
5 THINGS TO WATCH
FRIDAY / SUNDAY • 2 PM • InsideBadgerSports.com Preparing for that playoff push After a sweep against Bemidji State, including a 1-0 win in front of an NCAA-record 12,402 fans Saturday, the women’s hockey team returns to the ice for a series with Minnesota State at the Kohl Center. UW has won four straight as it enters the final three weeks of the regular season before making a run for the program’s fifth national title.
FRIDAY / SATURDAY • 7 / 8 PM • BTN / WISC-TV, Charter Extra 87 Fighting to stay at home The men’s hockey team returns to the Kohl Center for a weekend series with St. Cloud State. Saturday’s contest will be Mike Eaves’ 400th game as Wisconsin’s head coach as the Badgers host their second-to-last home series of the season. It’s a big weekend, as the Badgers try to climb in the WCHA standings in the hope of hosting a first-round playoff series.
FRIDAY • 10 PM • BTN The joy of six The 2005-06 season was a magical year for Wisconsin hockey, as both the men’s and women’s teams claimed national titles. The men’s Frozen Four was held in Milwaukee, where a pro-Badgers crowd helped Wis- consin defeat Boston College for its sixth national title. BTN will rebroad- cast the championship game at 10 p.m. Friday.
SATURDAY • 1 PM • ESPN First things first Ohio State came to Madison twice last year as the No. 1 team in the country. Both times they left after a loss, as both Wisconsin’s football and men’s basketball squads pulled off upsets. The Buckeyes return to the Kohl Center ranked No. 3 in the polls but sitting atop the Big Ten stand- ings, a perch the Badgers could assume with a win on Saturday.
SUNDAY • 5:29 PM • NBC Beckum feeling Super Former Badger Travis Beckum is averaging 10.2 yards per reception for the Giants as New York takes a run at another championship with an ap- pearance in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots. Beckum is the first former Badger to appear in the Super Bowl since Jim Sorgi (Colts) and Jonathan Casillas (Saints) squared off in 2010.
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Badgering...
MATT PAAPE »» MEN’S HOCKEY One of 12 Wisconsin natives on the UW men’s hockey team, Appleton’s Matt Paape is also one of nine freshmen on the 2011-12 Badgers. Paape had two goals and one assist at St. Cloud State, the team the Badgers skate against this weekend at the Kohl Center, earlier this season. He has four goals and eight points on the season.
What was the biggest adjustment from junior to college hockey? “I think guys are just bigger. Guys are 23, 24 years old. I’m pretty old for a freshman at 20, but there’s guys like Ben Blood out there at North Dakota. Big bodies. There’s a lot of six-footers out there. The six-footers can all skate pretty well, too, so the size of the guys in the league and everything is just a little bit quicker as you go up. High school to juniors was a little bit of a gap, I felt, but playing two years of junior helped bridge that gap.”
How has this season lived up to what you expected? “We’ve had our ups and downs so far, but we’ve grown up as a team. All the young guys have matured and grown up quite a bit. We can’t really use that excuse anymore that we are a young team. It’s halfway through the year and guys have 20 games under their belts. I think the next couple of weeks here we can make some pretty good strides. We’ve been playing some pretty good hockey lately. It has been a fun time. Personally, I think I’ve grown up a lot since the beginning. I’ve struggled a little bit defensively one-on-one, but I just have to keep working on that. Watching film. Do the little things right.”
Who is your favorite professional athlete? “Usain Bolt. I got real big into him back when the last Olympics were going on. It was fun to watch him run the 100 meters. He’s the fastest guy in the world. For a hockey player, I would say Jonathan Toews, Sidney Crosby and Joe Pavelski. Pavelski because he played here and I liked watching him when he was here. Teows, just the way he controls the game, he’s a great player. And Crosby because he’s got tremendous talent, though he hasn’t played in a while.
What is one reality show you think you could win? “Wipeout. It is usually on in the summer when I see it. I watch these interesting group of characters out there and I really think I could have a good shot at winning that show. Those big balls — you just have to get a little hop.”
24 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012
AHEAD OF THE CURVE AHEAD OF THE CURVE Adjusting to life on campus is a process for all new students, but Dan Voltz, Hugs Etienne and Vonte Jackson believe making the transition now will pay dividends in August BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
ach was thrown a curve the first week of classes. “It was a little hectic,’’ Dan Voltz volunteered. “I thought it would be worse,’’ Hugs Etienne conceded. “I was assigned some 60 pages to read my first Eday,’’ Vonte Jackson sighed. It’s all part of the learning curve for mid-term high school graduates. Voltz, Etienne and Jackson are each transitioning to a new environment -- and community. As such, they’re no different than any other first semester college freshman. Then, again, they are different. Voltz, Etienne and Jackson are members of the 2012 Wis- consin football recruiting class. The Early Bird Special — spring enrollment — has become a popular facet of the sport. To varying degrees, the Badgers have embraced the concept. “Past guys have been successful,’’ said UW coach Bret Bielema, “which leads me to believe that these three can handle the academics and get ingrained with the way we do things.’’
In addition, he said, they get a jump on their through a lot of changes. classmates, who signed tenders Wednesday. “But every time I’ve seen him, he’s had a big “Coming up early has given me the oppor- grin on his face.’’ tunity to get used to everything,’’ Etienne said. Hugs is short for his full name, Hugsanly. “If I would have come up during the summer it “My parents call me ‘Ego’ at home,’’ Etienne would have put more pressure on me.’’ said. From this standpoint, he can adjust to every- It really doesn’t appear that he has an ego to thing at his own pace. speak of, either. That goes for Voltz and Jack- That includes the weather. son, too. Etienne is from Plantation, Fla., a suburb of “Most of the time we’re hanging out together,” Fort Lauderdale. Etienne said, “and that’s good.’’ It doesn’t snow much in south Florida; nor Good from the sense that there’s strength in Haiti, which is where he was born. numbers, and all of this can be overwhelming. Etienne moved to the United States when he “If I was up here alone, I think it would be a lot was 6 years old. harder,’’ Voltz said of the adjustment period. “It “Beautiful kid,’’ Bielema said. “Creole is the has helped to have the other two guys to relate to No. 1 language spoken in his home, so it has on a daily basis.’’ been a transition jumping up here. He’s going Not that homesickness should be an issue for
28 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 AHEAD OF THE CURVE
“Whatever school you’re at, those coaches can get up and leave at any time even if the team is having success,” Voltz said. “It’s important to commit to the school and know where you belong.’’
Voltz, who’s from Barrington, Ill., 32 miles out- side of Chicago. Nor for Jackson, who’s from Kenosha, 32 miles outside of Milwaukee. But what about Etienne, who’s miles and miles away from home? “It still doesn’t completely feel like I’m com- pletely gone (from Florida) — I haven’t been homesick yet,’’ he said. “My parents call me ev- ery day.’’ His mom and dad — Rosemarthe and Evance — call every single day? “They want to make sure they talk to me when I wake up in the morning,’’ he said, “and at night before I go to sleep. I’ve got four brothers and I DAN VOLTZ try talk to them every day also.’’ Offensive Line Etienne noted that one of things that sold him on Wisconsin was “knowing there are Florida 6-4 • 295 guys’’ on the roster. There were a number of oth- Barrington, Ill. (Barrington) er things that factored into his decision, as well. “When I first got my offer, I did my research,’’ he said. That included looking into the engineering program on campus. very same thing. “I just fell in love with the school,’’ said Eti- That was especially true in the wake of some enne, a 5-11, 175-pound cornerback. “The last coaching changes on the UW staff. few weeks (before enrolling), I still had schools “When I committed in March, I commit- recruiting me — trying to change my mind. ted to the University of Wisconsin,’’ Voltz said, “But I told them straight-up, ‘I’m committed “and not necessarily the coaching staff, so those to Wisconsin.’” changes didn’t affect my decision. Voltz told those who asked — recruiters — the “That’s something you have to realize at what-
29 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
“I just fell in love with the school,’’ said Etienne.“The last few weeks, I still had schools recruiting me — trying to change my mind. But I told them straight-up, ‘I’m committed to Wiscon- sin.’”
the Badgers. “Coach Bielema called and told me that the guys (assistant coaches) that they were bring- ing in were going to be just as good as those who left,’’ Voltz said. “He told me there was nothing to worry about because Wisconsin football is always going to be Wisconsin football, no matter who’s coaching or playing here.’’ Voltz already feels comfortable with UW’s new offensive line coach, Mike Markusan. “Seemed like a great guy,’’ Voltz said after a brief visit. “I can’t wait to start playing for him. “He was very warm and welcoming.’’ That’s the way Voltz felt here from day one. “Honestly, the first time I set foot on campus, I thought this is where I needed to be,’’ he said. HUGS ETIENNE “I visited a lot of schools and you just get that Cornerback feeling when you find YOUR school. 5-11 • 170 “Throughout the whole recruiting process, Plantation, Fla. (South Plantation) I ended up comparing every other school (to) Wisconsin, and no other school ended up com- paring.’’ Fact is, Voltz could have gone just about any- where that he wanted. He was offered scholar- ever school you’re at — those coaches can get up ships by nearly every Big Ten school plus Notre and leave at any time even if the team is having Dame, Stanford, Auburn and Alabama. success. “I never visited Alabama but they did offer a “It’s important to commit to the school and scholarship,’’ he said. “It was an option to con- know where you belong.’’ sider. But in the end I realized it wasn’t the fit for Bielema reassured Voltz that he belonged with me despite how good of a program it is.’’
30 » VARSITY JANUARY 19, 2012 AHEAD OF THE CURVE
GETTING TO KNOW HUGS ETIENNE Etienne was born in Haiti but comes to UW from Plantation, Fla., where Creole is still the primary language for his family members — who are sure to check in on the phone every day.
The Crimson Tide just won the national cham- Voltz, who carried a 4.0 grade-point average pionship. in high school, has understandably gravitated Had Voltz been more impulsive about his de- to Frederick, one of the strongest and smartest cision — basing it more on emotion — it might players not only in the Big Ten but college foot- have been more challenging for the Badgers to ball. hold on to his commitment. Frederick, a computer engineering and com- “But,’’ he reiterated, “I committed because puter science major, was also a mid-term high this was the place that was best for me.’’ school graduate and wound up starting at center There may not be a better place in the country as a true freshman in the 2009 season opener. for his position group, he also suggested. “I’ve noticed that he’s the leader of the O-line Voltz is an offensive lineman, and the UW has this year and he’s helped me out a lot,’’ Voltz a tradition of developing great ones. Some of the said. “He’s a great resource that I plan on using. upperclassmen — Travis Frederick and Ricky Obviously, he’s had success here academically.’’ Wagner — have already taken him under their Bielema expected that Frederick and Voltz wing. would have much in common. “They take pride in the way they work,’’ Voltz “They’re very similar — extremely intelligent observed. “They hang out together outside of — very good students and football players,’’ football, too. It’s like a little fraternity or broth- Bielema said, adding that Voltz had a plan and erhood. I think I fit in already at this point. stuck to it. “He has the ability to think that far “It’s going to be a great four or five years.’’ ahead.’’
31 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
GETTING TO KNOW DAN VOLTZ One of the nation’s top offensive line recruits and a talented student, Voltz never wavered in his decision to attend Wisconsin, despite later offers from a number of other programs.
That was the case with his decision to enroll fall. this semester. “When the season starts, I’m going to be used “I really didn’t take any open hours in high to handling the academic side to the point that school so I had enough credits,’’ he said. I’m not going to be stressing out about my grades His rich academic background has also made and stuff like that.’’ a difference in making the jump to college. Outside of the classroom, he’s adjusting to be- “From the time I started playing sports,’’ Voltz ing around older, more physically mature ath- said, “my parents have always had me focus on letes. school work before athletics. I know how to “It’s definitely different coming from your se- manage my time. They instilled that in me at an nior year of high school,’’ said Voltz, who’s listed early age.’’ at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, “where you’re the old- Still, there are some things that you can’t pre- est and you’re used to playing with younger kids. pare for. “It’s kind of an eye-opening experience to step “It was definitely hard at first trying to find my in here and be the youngest.’’ way around campus and getting used to the type To their credit, the veterans have been bracing of classes that I’m taking,’’ said Voltz, who has 14 the newcomers for the changes they can expect. credits, including history and zoology courses. “It hasn’t been hard in that respect at all,’’ “Getting used to the academic aspect is defi- Voltz said. “They’ve been very good.’’ nitely hard, as I found out this past week. But I Etienne has received a similar reception in the think being here early is going to help me in the locker room and weight room.
32 » VARSITY JANUARY 19, 2012
FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
GETTING TO KNOW VONTE JACKSON The 6-foot, 190-pound tailback from Kenosha, Wis., shared a backfield with new Badgers team- mate Melvin Gordon as a junior before an injury derailed his senior season.
“The older players have been really cool,’’ he Prodded, he remembered that there were only said. “I’ve got a few of their numbers and any- 16 seconds left in the first half. time I have a question I’ll call them up and they’ll “I ran about 40 yards and I had my foot plant- help me out.’’ ed when I got hit high and low,’’ said Jackson, Voltz and Etienne are both looking forward to who had accumulated 140 rushing yards on just taking part in spring practice. So is Jackson. But 12 carries against Milwaukee Riverside when he the circumstances are much different since he’s went down. coming off ACL surgery. “I wasn’t thinking ACL (immediately). I just “Right now, I’m doing everything they’re do- knew something was wrong. When I tried to ing,’’ Jackson said of his classmates in the out- stand up, I knew it was bad.’’ of-season conditioning program. “But, when After the injury was diagnosed, Jackson had they’re running, I’m on the sidelines working to deal with the potential consequences. with a trainer. “There were so many things going through my “I won’t have any contact in the spring. But head,’’ said Jackson, who had already verbally I know that I’ll be doing some position drills committed to the Badgers. “The No. 1 thing was and running the plays. Over this process, it has probably my scholarship. helped me build mental toughness.’’ “What’s Coach Bielema going to think? Is he Jackson blew out his knee in the first game of going to take it away? his senior year at Kenosha Bradford. “But I talked to him to right away and he told “I don’t even like talking about it,’’ he said. me not to worry about anything.’’
34 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 AHEAD OF THE CURVE
“There were so many things going through my head,’’ said Jackson. “The No. 1 thing was probably my scholarship. What’s Coach Bielema going to think? Is he going to take it away?”
Bielema remembered getting a message from Jackson’s coach. “They didn’t know if the scholarship was still going to be there, if that would be all ruined,’’ Bielema said, “so I had to put him at ease. “I kind of had to help Vonte through it. The one thing I could tell him is that I’ve had two ACL reconstructions myself, so I knew what he was going to be going through. “I know the initial shock is overwhelming. But there are going to be brighter days ahead.’’ Jackson felt helpless as Kenosha Bradford went on to win the state championship. “That was the worst three months of my life,’’ he said. Although he was happy for his teammates, he confided, “I hated missing my senior year.’’ The result has been a new found motivation VONTE JACKSON “to getting back on the field.’’ Running Back In the meantime, Jackson has been reunited 6-0 • 190 with his former Bradford backfield partner, Mel- Kenosha, Wis. (Bradford) vin Gordon, who was injured early last season as a UW freshman and applied for a medical red- shirt. Gordon gave him a heads-up on all of the reading that would be required of him. “I didn’t think too much of it until I got here,’’ Jackson common thread between Jackson, Voltz and Eti- said while affirming education “is very impor- enne. tant to me.’’ “I’m very hungry for this year,’’ Jackson said, So is making a good first impression; another “and the years to come.’’
35
FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
THE CLASS OF 2012 Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema and his staff signed a class of 12 scholarship players and added seven additional preferred walk-ons Wednesday. Here’s a look at the newest Badgers:
VINCE BIEGEL Linebacker 6-3 • 225 Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (Lincoln HS) • Four-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout • No. 73 player nationally by Rivals • Ranked as the No. 3 outside line- backer by Rivals, No. 15 by ESPN and No. 23 by Scout • Top-ranked player in Wisconsin by ESPN and Rivals • Finished career with 425 tackles, 27 sacks, 10 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, five fumble recov- eries and four defensive touchdowns • Named U.S. Army, USA Today and Parade All-American • Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year and Conference Player of the Year • Posted 172 tackles, 21 sacks, three interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns as a senior
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HUGS ETIENNE Linebacker 5-11 • 170 Plantation, Fla. (Plantation South HS) • Three-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals, two-star recruit by Scout • No. 31 cornerback in the nation by ESPN, No. 42 by Rivals • Recorded 88 tackles, six inter- ceptions and seven forced fum- bles in career • Senior season featured 20 tack- les, one interception and two forced fumbles • As a junior, made 38 tackles with three interceptions and three forced fumbles • Posted 30 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a sophomore • Team captain as a senior • Honor roll student
ARTHUR GOLDBERG Defensive Tackle 6-3 • 270 Mount Lebanon, Pa. (Mount Lebanon HS) • Three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout • No. 55 defensive tackle in the na- tion by Scout and No. 110 by ESPN • Selected to Pittsburgh Post-Ga- zette’s Fabulous 22 as a senior and junior • Finished career with 162 tackles, seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss • First-team all-state and all-conference as a senior • Picked up 63 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss as a senior • First-team all-conference and team’s defensive player of the year as a junior after recording 60 tackles, four sacks and three TFLs
39 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
BART HOUSTON Quarterback 6-4 • 215 Dublin, Calif. (De La Salle HS)
• Ranked by Scout as the No. 7 quarterback in the country, by Ri- vals as the No. 12 QB and by ESPN as the No. 15 QB • Invited to ESPN Elite 11 QB camp and played in Semper-Fidelis All- American Bowl • Holds career numbers of 272-of- 437 passing (62.2 percent) for 5,178 yards and 46 touchdowns • Holds school records for career passing yards and completions, surpassing Matt Gutierrez, who played three seasons in the NFL • As a senior, completed 99-of-171 passes for school-record 1,999 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also rushing for 338 yards and 19 touchdowns • Three-year state champion, going 38-1 in his career as a starter
VONTE JACKSON Running Back 6-0 • 190 Kenosha, Wis. (Bradford HS) • Four-star recruit by Rivals and Scout and three-star recruit by ESPN • Ranked as the No. 21 running back in the nation by Rivals, No. 22 by ESPN and No. 28 by Scout • No. 2 player in the state of Wis- consin by ESPN and Rivals • Missed almost all of senior season after tearing his ACL with 16 seconds left in second quarter of first game, still managed to rush for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and catch one pass for 38 yards before injury • Carried 68 times for 956 yards and 13 touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns in his junior year • Team captain as a senior
40 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 CLASS OF 2012
REGGIE LOVE Wide Receiver 6-3 • 200 Boynton Beach, Fla. (Spanish River HS)
• Three-star recruit according to Scout and Rivals, two-star recruit by ESPN • No. 172 wide receiver in the na- tion according to Scout and No. 176 athlete according to ESPN • Selected to Outback All-Star Game • Named all-state, all-area, all-county and team MVP as a senior after catching 38 passes for 876 yards and 13 touchdowns • Also lettered in basketball
JAKE MEADOR Offensive Line 6-6 • 320 Greenwood, Ind. (Whiteland HS) • Three-star recruit by ESPN, Scout and Rivals • No. 43 offensive tackle according to Rivals, No. 67 by Scout and No. 79 by ESPN • Fourth-ranked player in Indiana by Rivals and No. 6 by ESPN • As a senior, named Indiana’s Mr. Football for linemen • First-team all-state by AP, coaches association and Top-50 Elite as both junior and senior • First-team all-conference and all-county first team • Earned three letters in football and two in basketball
41 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
REGGIE MITCHELL Defensive Back 6-0 • 178 Pittsburgh, Pa. (Shady Side Academy)
• Two-star recruit according to ESPN, Rivals and Scout • Ranked as the No. 129 corner- back in the country by Scout and the No. 151 athlete by ESPN • As a senior, named first-team all- state defensive back, All-WPIAL defensive back and all-conference defensive back • Team MVP as a senior, throwing for 800 yards and running for 1,420 yards and 22 touchdowns • All-conference defensive back as a junior, also threw for 600 yards and ran for 550 yards and 10 touchdowns • Passed for 500 yards and ran for 600 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore • Three-time all-conference selection as a quarterback and a two-year team captain
LEO MUSSO Athlete 5-8 • 189 Waunakee, Wis. (Waunakee HS) • Two-star recruit by Scout and Rivals • No. 8 player in Wisconsin accord- ing to Rivals • Rushed for 5,531 yards and 87 touchdowns (93 total touchdowns) in his career • Named first-team all-state by WFCA and AP and unanimous first-team all-conference choice as a senior and junior • Winner of Elroy `Crazylegs’ Hirsch Running Back of the Year Award after rushing for 2,398 yards and 39 touchdowns and catching a touchdown pass • Three-time state champion • Also lettered in track and field
42 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 CLASS OF 2012
D.J. SINGLETON Safety 6-2 • 195 Union, N.J. (St. Peter’s Prep)
• Four-star recruit by ESPN and Scout and three-star recruit by Rivals • No. 14 safety in the country ac- cording to Scout, No. 18 by ESPN and No. 27 by Rivals • Selected for the U.S. Marine All- American All-Star Game and the USA Today International Bowl • All-state, all-metro and all-county pick after posting 53 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and 12 tackles for loss as a senior • Named all-county and U.S. Army All-American Combine second-team after making 40 tackles with three sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior • Recorded 42 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore
DAN VOLTZ Offensive Line 6-4 • 295 Barrington, Ill. (Barrington HS) • Four-star recruit by Rivals, Scout and ESPN • Seventh-ranked guard in the na- tion by Scout and No. 8 by Rivals, No. 19 offensive tackle in the na- tion by ESPN • Third-ranked player in Illinois by ESPN and fourth-ranked in Illinois by Rivals • Named all-state as a senior by Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, Illinois News- Gazette and Chicago Tribune, also named Mid-Suburban All-Conference and Daily Herald All- Area • IHSA All-State Academic Team member • Named all-state by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and the Illinois News- Gazette, MSL All-Conference and all-area by the Daily Herald as a junior
43 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
WALKER WILLIAMS Offensive Line 6-7 • 320 Tacoma, Wash. (Baptist)
• Three-star recruit by ESPN, Scout and Rivals • No. 40 offensive guard in the country by Scout, No. 50 guard by Rivals and No. 110 offensive tackle by ESPN • Seventh-ranked player in Wash- ington by Rivals • Played in Semper-Fidelis All-American Bowl • Three-time all-state offensive lineman • Named all-state by AP on both offensive and defensive lines as a senior • Earned all-league honors on both the offensive and defensive line as a senior and junior • Won Washington state championship in the discus as a junior
TRENT DENLINGER Defensive End 6-6 • 266 Cuba City, Wis. (Cuba City HS) • Honorable mention all-state defensive end as a senior, also named first- team all-region and all-conference as an offensive lineman and defensive end • 2011 Southwest Wisconsin Activities League Lineman of the Year • Tallied 56 tackles, nine sacks, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception, one blocked field goal and one defensive score as a senior • As a junior, named first-team all-conference as an offensive and defensive lineman and also earned honorable mention all-area honors after producing 84 tackles, six sacks, one interception and one defensive touchdown • Played on varsity as a sophomore, recording 12 tackles • Two-time letterwinner in football and a three-time letterwinner in basketball and baseball
44 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 CLASS OF 2012
ALEX ERICKSON Wide Receiver 6-1 • 200 Argyle, Wis. (Darlington HS) • For career, rushed for 3,856 yards and 57 touchdowns, passed for 3,648 yards and 37 touchdowns and recorded 170 tackles and 14 interceptions • Chosen to play in the WFCA All-Star game as a senior and was named the SWAL Conference and Wisconsin State Journal Small School Player of the Year • Tabbed first-team all-state as defensive back and first-team all-conference as defensive back and quarterback after gaining 2,489 yards of total offense (1,239 rushing, 1,250 passing), scoring 33 touchdowns (20 rushing, 13 passing) and making 50 tackles with three interceptions • Two-time team captain and three-time team MVP • Won four letters in football, basketball and track and field • Three-time WBCA all-state selection in basketball
MATT PRELL Tight End 6-5 • 200 Kenosha, Wis. (Bradford HS) • Honorable mention all-conference as a senior after catching two passes for 29 yards and making six tackles • Lettered in football, baseball and competitive cheerleading • Four-year member of the school’s honor roll
45 FOOTBALL SIGNING DAY
JAKE RADEMACHER Linebacker 6-2 • 220 Wales, Wis. (Kettle Moraine HS) • For his career, tallied 323 tackles, nine sacks, 30 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles and one interception • Classic 8 Defensive Player of the Year, honorable mention all-state and first- team All-Milwaukee as a senior • Recorded 95 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles on defense and rushed 15 times for 75 yards and one touchdown on offense • Named first-team all-conference, first-team all-county and honorable men- tion all-region as a junior after making 100 tackles, three sacks, nine TFLs, three forced fumbles and one interception • Two-time team captain and team MVP • Won four letters in football, three in lacrosse and one each in track and field and wrestling
JACK RUSSELL Kicker 6-0 • 160 Waunakee, Wis. (Waunakee HS) • Four and a half star recruit by Kohl’s and two-star recruit by ESPN • No. 48 kicker in the country by Kohl’s and No. 65 by ESPN • First-team all-state by WFCA and AP as a senior after making 69-of-70 PATs, 5-of-7 field goals and recording touchbacks on 68 of 82 kickoffs • Unanimous first-team all-conference selection, first-team all-area and all- region • Four-year member of the school’s honor roll
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LOGAN SCHMIDT Defensive End 6-5 • 250 Gotham, Wis. (Richland Center HS) • Named first-team all-state by the WFCA and second-team all-state by the AP on the defensive line after making 148 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior • Named first-team all-conference and all-region on both offensive and de- fensive lines • First-team all-conference as a defensive lineman and second-team all-con- ference as an offensive lineman in junior season • Second-team all-conference as a defensive lineman as a sophomore two-time team captain and team MVP • Lettered four times in football and wrestling • Two-time state qualifier in wrestling
ALEX WALKER Tight End 6-5 • 200 Glendale, Wis. (Nicolet HS) • All-conference honorable mention as a tight end in senior season after re- cording 19 receptions for 284 yards and a touchdown • As a defensive end, posted 35 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and four pass breakups • Won team’s Black Lion Award for most sacrifice made for the team • As a junior, caught 22 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown as a tight end and made 43 tackles with seven TFLs, six sacks and three forced fumbles as a defensive end • Won three letters in football, two in baseball and swimming and one in track and field
47 BY MIKE LUCAS UWBADGERS.COM
#1 SHINING MOMENT A year ago, Wisconsin rallied for a dramatic, 71-67 win over No. 1-ranked Ohio State at the Kohl Center. With the resilient Badgers now set to battle forthe Big Ten lead, guess who’s coming to town Saturday? BY MIKE LUCAS PHOTOS BY DAVID STLUKA UWBADGERS.COM
#1 SHINING MOMENT A year ago, Wisconsin rallied for a dramatic, 71-67 win over No. 1-ranked Ohio State at the Kohl Center. With the resilient Badgers now set to battle forthe Big Ten lead, guess who’s coming to town Saturday? MEN’S BASKETBALL
ew will ever forget The “Rally’’ or The “Rush’’ from knocking off The Ohio State University, then unbeaten (24-0) and The No. 1-ranked team in college basketball. But how many will remember The “Shot’’ when the Buckeyes and the Badgers stage the Madison sequel to last February’s memorable game Saturday at the Kohl Center? The Rally? In rallying from a 15-point second half deficit — spearheaded by FJordan Taylor, who was the catalyst in a 30-8 run — Wisconsin pulled off the improbable. “I’d like to be able to explain that, but it’s hard, even for me and I see him every day,’’ said UW coach Bo Ryan after Taylor scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half. “What he did right there — if people don’t take it and frame it — I don’t know if there are too many players that have ever done that against the No. 1 team in the country.’’ The Rush? Taylor rushed the field after the Badgers beat No. 1 Ohio State at Camp Randall. Now he experienced another “rush’’ on the shoulders of fans at the Kohl Center. “It was something we’ll remember forever,’’ Taylor said after the UW de- feated a No. 1 basketball team for a second time in school history. Ohio State was also the victim in 1962. “I don’t know if I could compare it to anything I’ve ever been around. They were different atmospheres in different ways (at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center). “But they were both energized and once-in-a-life-time type of things.’’
The shot? The Badgers took 49 shots — three Here was the backdrop to Evans’ shot. more than the Buckeyes — and made half of their Thanks to a late run, the Buckeyes had over- attempts from beyond the 3-point arc (12-of-24; come a five-point first half deficit to take a 28- Taylor was 5-of-8). 26 lead at intermission on David Lighty’s lay-up. But the game may have turned on one shot — That seemed to ignite them, too. the only shot taken by Ryan Evans, who came off Ohio State proceeded to make seven of its first the bench and played all of four minutes in the eight shots to start the second half. After a Jared second half (and 11 minutes overall). Sullinger jumper pushed the Buckeyes into a 42- “Ryan’s shot was huge,’’ Taylor said. 30 lead, Evans countered. “It kind of got the lid off,’’ Mike Bruesewitz “I took one dribble to a shot fake and ended said. up hitting the shot,’’ Evans said. “When you look “After that we got on a roll,’’ Josh Gasser said. at it in hindsight, it kind of got us going. At the
50 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 #1 SHINING MOMENT
time I didn’t think it had an impact.’’ step up with confidence against the No. 1 ranked That’s because on the next two Ohio State pos- team and to make a shot when we were down re- sessions Jon Diebler had a triple and Sullinger ally sparked our confidence.’’ had a lay-up and the Buckeyes had a 45-32 lead Taylor caught fire with 21 points over the -fi with 13:21 remaining. nal 13 minutes. “It’s something every basketball Taylor still felt that Evans’ shot was the turn- player experiences when you just get hot at a ing point. certain time,’’ he said. “He stepped into a tough jump shot,’’ Taylor “The basket seems as big as the ocean.’’ said, “and his aggressive play just turned on a Besides scoring 18 of the UW’s 30 points in a switch for the whole team and it snowballed run that gave the Badgers a 62-55 lead, Taylor from there. also assisted on three other baskets, thereby ac- “Ryan had been struggling and to see him counting for 26 points in that stretch.
51 MEN’S BASKETBALL
“Bruesewitz? That was the guy we were saying of the five (Wisconsin starters) let him be the guy that beats us,’’ Matta confided. “And he did.’’
“My teammates did a great job of setting screens and getting me open,’’ Taylor said. “They were making shots, too. It just wasn’t me. Every- one contributed. “Once Ryan hit that shot, it spread like wild fire. Everybody was a little more aggressive. We were getting out in transition and taking open shots when we had them.’’ Bruesewitz, in particular, made a couple of clutch 3-pointers during the rally. “Guys had confidence in me and that was a big thing,’’ Bruesewitz said. Coming into the Ohio State game, Bruesewitz was averaging 2.8 points in the Big Ten. He had made only three of 17 attempts from beyond the arc. To say that he was in an offensive slump was an understatement. Bruesewitz had scored just two points in the previous four games combined. Ohio State coach Thad Matta took notice. “Bruesewitz? That was the guy we were say- ing of the five (Wisconsin starters) let him be the guy that beats us,’’ Matta confided. “And he did.’’ Bruesewitz responded with a dagger — a cold- to shoot this and knock this down.’ That is kind blooded 3-point hit from the top of the key that of how it went.’’ increased Wisconsin’s lead to 68-63 with 29 sec- In light of Matta’s strategy, Bruesewitz admit- onds left. ted that when “the other team is saying, ‘Let’s “I was thinking about kicking it to Jon (Leuer) make this other kid beat you,’ it’s a pretty good because he was open and then they jumped to feeling.’’ him (defensively),’’ Bruesewitz said. Bruesewitz finished with 12 points and Gasser That left him to ponder his fate. had 11 (3-of-3 from beyond the arc). “It was just kind of like, ‘Oh, I guess I’m going “They picked a good time to knock down
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CLASSIC REWIND: WISCONSIN VS. OHIO STATE - 2011 Re-live Wisconsin’s win over the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes from last February at the Kohl Center with highlights and reaction from the Badgers following the thrilling 71-67 victory.
shots,’’ Ryan said. I felt all the guys on our team felt like we still had Gasser also grabbed a team-high seven re- a chance to win.’’ bounds. The Badgers just needed to find a way to get “He’s a hard-nosed kid,’’ Leuer said, “and will the crowd into the game, and they did. stick his face on the ball.’’ “Momentum is huge in games like this be- Take that as a compliment. Matta had plenty tween good teams,’’ Gasser said. “And it’s nice of them for the Badgers, including this back- to be on your home court where your crowd can handed one, “They had to play damn near per- help you out a little bit.’’ fect to get us, and they did.’’ It was deafening in the Kohl Center. In retrospect, why didn’t the Badgers fold “You couldn’t hear anything,’’ Bruesewitz con- when they trailed by 15? firmed. “Everybody said we weren’t a team that could “I specifically remember with about two min- come back from something like that,’’ Bruese- utes left in the game, Jordan was trying to get witz reasoned. “But we stayed with it, and proved my attention on the floor. people wrong.’’ “We were about four feet apart and I couldn’t Nobody got rattled, nobody lost their poise. hear him. It was actually like I was deaf. I could “I remember not being panicked at all,’’ Tay- see his mouth moving but I couldn’t hear what lor said. “I felt like there was a lot of time left and he was saying.’’
53 DAVID STLUKA DAVID
That noise level was consistent from start to Both teams have a different look — the Buck- finish. eyes without Lighty, Diebler and Dallas Lauder- When the Badgers came out for their pregame dale; the Badgers without Leuer, Keaton Nan- warm-up, they were greeted by a full student kivil and Tim Jarmusz. section. Even the seats in the upper deck were Meanwhile, some of the last season’s match- occupied, another rare sight. ups will be renewed, most notably Aaron Craft “It hasn’t been like that since I’ve been here,’’ vs. Taylor and Sullinger vs. all of the UW’s low Taylor said. post defenders. The players were still in the locker room when “He has lost a lot a weight,’’ Bruesewitz said the football highlights of the UW’s win over Ohio of Sullinger. “He looks good, he looks agile, he State were played on the video board. Could the looks quicker on his feet. The biggest thing is Badgers do it again? that you have to make him work. Taylor had heard the buzz on campus. “We “You can’t let him catch the didn’t have a choice but to think about it with ball deep otherwise it’s pretty » The Badgers’ win gave fans everyone reminding us of that on a regular ba- much an automatic two points an excuse to sis,’’ he said. or he’s going to get fouled be- rush the floor Despite the pregame build-up, and all the cause he’s so skilled and tal- (and Jon Leuer) much the hype surrounding taking down No. 1 again, Tay- ented. same way they lor said, “Once the game starts, you’re only wor- “You can’t shut him out, but rushed the ried about the opponent in front of you.’’ you can’t give him any easy field at Camp Randall Sta- That will be the theme Saturday for Ohio State ones.’’ dium just four and Wisconsin. As a caveat, he added, “I months earlier.
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“I’d like to be able to ex- plain that but it’s hard, even for me, and I see him every day,’’ said Bo Ryan after Taylor scored 21 points in the second half. “What he did right there — if people don’t take it and frame it — I don’t know if there are too many players that have ever done that against the No. 1 team in the country.’’ think defensively we’re a little grittier (than last season).’’ What about offensively? “We’re not as dependent on Jon and Jordan like we were last year,’’ Bruesewitz said. “We have a lot more guys who contribute, we’re more balanced,’’ Gasser added. All of that will be put to the test against the talent-rich Buckeyes in what has grown to be an entertaining rivalry on all fronts. “It’s always a big game,’’ Bruesewitz said. None bigger, Gasser said, than when the game is played on “your home court and that energy is there … you saw what happened last year’’ at the Kohl Center. Few will ever forget “To have that opportunity in front of your home fans,’’ Taylor said afterward, “and to have them rush the court like that definitely made it a special day. “It will probably stay with us for a long time.’’ At least until Saturday’s tipoff.
55 INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY PATRICK HERB @BadgerMBB
SCHEDULE (18-5, 7-3) Last Five Jan. 12 at Purdue W, 67-62 Jan. 15 Nebraska W, 50-45 Jan. 18 Northwestern W, 77-57 Jan. 22 at #22 Illinois W, 67-63 Jan. 26 #16 Indiana W, 57-50
This Week Tuesday at Penn State W, 52-46 Saturday #3 Ohio State 1 p.m.
Next Five Feb. 9 at Minnesota 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at #9 Michigan St. 6 p.m. Feb. 19 Penn State 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at Iowa 8 p.m. Feb. 25/26 at #3 Ohio State TBA
climbed within a half game of first place in the Big Ten standings. Just as luck should have it, the team standing between Wisconsin and a spot at the top of the con- ference heap comes to town this weekend. No. 3 Ohio State has won four in a row and boasts a 19-3 record, but Streak at six, but seven the Buckeyes will arrive in Madi- son looking for their first win at will be B1G challenge the Kohl Center since 1999. Badgers to host No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday Late game finishers » UW has made a habit of closing ith a gritty 52-46 UW’s streak is also the out games, going a perfect 17-0 Wwin at Penn State on nation’s third-longest ac- when leading with 5:00 to go. Tuesday night, Wisconsin tive win streak among BCS » In the last 5:00 of Big Ten games, ran its current win streak to schools. Only Kentucky (14) UW is shooting 79.0 percent at the six consecutive games. and Marquette (7) have cur- free throw line (49-for-62), and The Badgers’ six-game Big rently won more consecutive even better lately: Ten win streak is the team’s games. • 8-of-8 FTs in final 0:28 at Purdue longest since rattling off sev- • 7-of-8 FTs in final 1:20 vs. Nebraska en in a row during the Big B1G game on tap • 5-of-6 FTs in final 0:22 at Illinois Ten championship season of » Thanks to its recent win • 10-of-10 FTs in final 5:30 vs. Indiana 2007-08. streak, the Badgers have • 9-of-12 FTs in final 0:59 at Penn St.
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INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @BadgerWBBall
SCHEDULE (8-13, 4-5) Last Five Jan. 15 #15 Nebraska L, 69-75 Jan. 19 at Iowa L, 57-69 Jan. 22 Northwestern W, 75-55 Jan. 26 at Minnesota W, 78-72 Jan. 30 Michigan W, 66-60
This Week Thursday Iowa 7 p.m. Monday at #11 Ohio State 6:30 p.m.
Next Five Feb. 9 at #19 Penn State 6 p.m. Feb. 16 Michigan State 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at #16 Nebraska 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at Indiana 6 p.m. Feb. 26 Illinois 2 p.m.
Three of the best from three » In Big Ten games, UW is the only school with three of the top 3-point shooters in the conference. Jade Davis, Taylor Wurtz and Morgan Paige each rank among the top 15 players in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made. Davis ranks second in 3-point Learning to play pays percentage (.467) while tying for 15th in 3-pointers made (1.6). Wurtz off big for Badgers is 12th in percentage (.365) and tied Wisconsin riding three-game win streak for ninth in makes (2.1). Paige is tied for ninth in percentage (.404) and tied for fourth in makes (2.3). inning is contagious Bobbie Kelsey after Monday Wfor the women’s bas- night’s win over Michigan. No days off in Big Ten ketball team. Wisconsin has The Wolverines were the » According to Jeff Sagarin’s ratings won three straight games, third opponent in as many for Jan. 31, Wisconsin’s schedule its longest winning streak in games who have fallen to the is the 11th-most difficult in the na- more than a year. improved Badgers. tion and the second-toughest in the “I’m very proud of our Balanced scoring, as well Big Ten, trailing only Illinois (7th). group and it just gives us as improved shooting and The Big Ten has eight schools in the confidence to know that we rebounding, have been just top 50 — Penn State (17), Iowa (19), can compete with anybody in three keys to the UW’s win- Michigan (25), Purdue (30), North- this league,” said head coach ning streak. western (40) and Minnesota (47).
58 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012
INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO @BadgerMHockey
SCHEDULE (12-12-2, 7-11-2) It’s home, sweet home Last Five Jan. 14 at Minnesota State L, 3-0 as Badgers host Huskies Jan. 20 Alaska Anchorage W, 4-0. UW plays rare home series against St. Cloud Jan. 21 Alaska Anchorage W, 3-2 Jan. 27 at North Dakota L, 5-3 Jan. 28 at North Dakota L, 4-2
ecause of quirks in tant game throughout that This Week Bscheduling and recent stretch — a 5-3 victory in the Friday St. Cloud State 7 p.m. playoff matchups, Wiscon- 2010 NCAA West Regional Saturday St. Cloud State 8 p.m. sin has played host to St. Final in St. Paul, Minn. The Next Five Cloud State just twice over victory got the Badgers to Feb. 17 Denver 7 p.m. the last 16 games of the the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four. Feb. 18 Denver 7 p.m. teams’ series, dating back to The Badgers boast an 8-1- Feb. 24 at Bemidji State 7:30 p.m. the 2007-08 season. 3 record at the Kohl Center Feb. 25 at Bemidji State 7 p.m. UW split two games at the against SCSU under head March 3 at Minnesota 7 p.m. Kohl Center on Feb. 19-20, coach Mike Eaves. 2010 in the only Madison coach in his 400th game as head meetings during that stretch. 400 for Eaves coach at Wisconsin. The former Wisconsin fell, 5-1, before re- » Mike Eaves spent the Badger student-athlete inherited sponding with a 7-4 win. 1987-88 season as an as- the UW program for the 2002-03 The Badgers are 5-11-0 sistant coach at St. Cloud season from the legendary Jeff against SCSU over the last 16 State, his introduction Sauer. Eaves has since guided the games, including 3-9-0 in St. to Division I hockey as a squad to an NCAA title, one NCAA Cloud. Despite UW’s record coach in the Huskies’ first runner-up finish and a 204-150-44 in recent seasons, Wisconsin year as a Division I pro- record through nearly 10 years be- captured the most impor- gram. This weekend, he’ll hind the bench.
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INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY ROSS LADUE @BadgerWHockey
SCHEDULE (24-2-2; 18-2-2) Last Five Jan. 15 at #6 North Dakota T, 4-4 Jan. 20 #8 Minn. Duluth W, 2-2 Jan. 21 #8 Minn. Duluth W, 4-3 Jan. 27 Bemidji State W, 3-2 (OT) Jan. 28 Bemidji State W, 1-0
This Week Friday Minnesota State 2 p.m. Sunday Minnesota State 2 p.m.
Next Five Feb. 10 at. St. Cloud State 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at. St. Cloud State 2 p.m. Feb. 17 Ohio State 2 p.m. Feb. 18 Ohio State 2 p.m. Feb. 24 WCHA Playoffs TBA
January felt a lot like October » A stretch in October featured four nationally-ranked opponents (Minnesota, North Dakota, Min- nesota Duluth and Boston Univer- sity) for UW, and the Badgers went 7-1-0 in that stretch. January featured three of the same teams on the schedule. Wis- Former Badgers use consin didn’t fare quite as well, but still posted a 5-1-2 record in NHL to promote game the month, a record that any team All-Star Game spotlights women’s hockey would be willing to take against a lineup of opponents like that.
ome of the best hockey Jennifer Botterill and Caro- Twenty-two down, six to go Splayers gathered last line Ouellette. » After 22 conference games, there weekend in Ottawa for the The four attended several are only six left to be played for 2012 NHL All-Star Game events over the weekend UW. The Badgers have put them- and among them were Olym- and, in conjunction with the selves in good position to make a pians and former Badgers NHL, helped promote the run for the WCHA regular-season Jessie Vetter and Meaghan game of women’s hockey — championship. Wisconsin sits two Mikkelson. and specifically the upcom- games ahead of Minnesota for first Vetter and Mikkelson ing 2012 IIHF Women’s place and has the potential to fin- were also joined by Canadi- World Championships in ish just one point shy of last year’s an Olympic Team members Burlington, Vt. 76-point finish in the conference.
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THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY
Devin Harris finished the 2004 season with 624 points, a UW single-season best
February 4, 2004 Harris makes his point(s) Junior Devin Harris scored 97 points over a three-game span, setting a UW record. Harris just missed becoming the first UW player in history to record three straight 30-point games, scor- ing 30 vs. Illinois (Jan. 24), 29 at Ohio State (Jan. 28) and a career-high 38 vs. Minnesota (Feb. 4). The 38-point effort is tied for the fourth-most by a Badger.
February 1, 1998 HOME CROWD ADVANTAGE: A then-Big Ten record crowd of 16,329 people watched the women’s basketball team defeat Northwestern at the Kohl Center, mark- ing the largest home crowd in Badger women’s basketball history.
ALSO February 3, 1995 THIS SETTING THE PACE: Ola Stromberg of the men’s swimming team set the Badgers’ WEEK school and pool records in the 1,000-yard freestyle with the time of 9:11.44. February 3, 1996 TRIFECTA: Max Williams, Troy Howard and Rick Enrico broke a 14-year-old record for the fastest three goals in a game when they scored within 27 seconds of each other in the third period against Minnesota-Duluth.
64 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 Devin Harris finished the 2004 season with 624 points, a UW single-season best THE VOICE MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS Keeping streaks alive a tall order for UW n the last couple of weeks, the The Kohl Center also happens to Badger men’s basketball team be the one building where Matta’s Ihas given fans a few more Buckeyes have yet to win. They are examples of how times continue to 0-6 under the current boss, and change, and for the better. OSU has dropped nine straight Last Sunday, Bo Ryan’s team overall in Madison. beat Illinois in Champaign. Ten Perhaps to some, winning can days earlier the Badgers held be taken for granted. These streaks off Purdue in West Lafayette. It should not be viewed in such a marked the first time since 1918 manner. Like the bad streaks, the that a Wisconsin team won in those good ones will end sometime. The two cities in the same season. Badgers and their fans just hope For any team, winning at Purdue Sometimes they shoot this good stretch won’t stop any- and at Illinois is difficult. The Bad- time soon. gers’ miseries, especially in West it well. Other times they Extending it another game will Lafayette, are well documented. seem to get it done by be a tall order. Jared Sullinger, Wil- Consider this year’s success as liam Buford and Aaron Craft make another in a line of negative streak- sheer will. Whatever for a tremendous trio. There are busters accomplished by Ryan’s the formula, the those who believe Craft is the na- Badgers. tion’s best on-ball defender, which Last Thursday, the Badgers Badgers have found the should make for another big time defeated Indiana 57-50. It was the right mix to turn nega- matchup with Jordan Taylor. ninth-consecutive victory, and the tives into positives. When we last saw Taylor at home 15th in the last 18 meetings for Wis- against Ohio State, the All-America consin against Indiana. In addition, guard was putting on a show for the it was the 11th-straight home court storied basketball program. ages, leading Wisconsin back from win for the Badgers against IU. Which brings us to another cur- a 15-point second-half deficit to You do not need to be in the rent streak that Wisconsin would give OSU its first loss of the season. “over 40” crowd to remember when love to extend. On Saturday, third- After starting Big Ten play 1-3, the Badgers were on the other end ranked Ohio State comes to town. it might have been tempting to of such a streak. From 1980 until No doubt there will be plenty give up on this team. Instead, the 1997, Bob Knight’s Indiana teams of excitement. Perhaps not quite Badgers have fought their way back ran off 31 straight victories at Wis- as much as last year, when an into the conference race with six consin’s expense. unbeaten and top-rated Buckeyes straight wins. Included in the domination was team visited the Kohl Center, but I Sometimes they shoot it well. a 22-game home court winning would like to believe there will be Other times they seem to get it streak against the Badgers -- until no shortage of noise in the building. done by sheer will. Ryan’s first Wisconsin team ended Without a doubt Coach Thad Whatever the formula, they have the madness in February of 2002. Matta has put together one of na- found the right mix to turn nega- Knowing about that long, rough tion’s premier programs. OSU has tives into positives. On Saturday, stretch of years might make it eas- had excellent role players as well the home team would like nothing ier to appreciate what this current as major star power. That trend more than to keep streaking against group of Badgers is doing against a continues this season. a national power.
66 » VARSITY FEBRUARY 2, 2012 MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS