CONTENTS OCTOBER 26, 2016 ▪ VOLUME 7, ISSUE 11 BOB CAMPBELL

LONG ON LEADERSHIP Senior safety Leo Musso has proven that big plays can come in small packages. His play thus far this season has helped the Badgers defense stay among the nation’s elite.

FEATURES FOOTBALL IN [FOCUS] REMEMBERING SAM The week's best photos

Losing a friend and fellow Big Ten BEHIND THE DESK player has provided Wisconsin’s Door’s open for alumni specialists with greater perspective about life and football. THE VOICE Badgers have a chance DAVID STLUKA

LUCAS AT LARGE BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW MEN AT WORK WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers Wisconsin’s sophomores are reaping the rewards of the past year’s dedication to their craft — greater ATHLETES OF THE MONTH confidence, speed and accuracy. UW’s best and brightest

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© 2016 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM Men at work: Badger freshmen no more l McGuire, the flamboy- Charles Thomas IV. As true from my first year as far as com- ant basketball coach and freshmen, they each went ing out and competing as hard as Aphilosopher, used to through some normal growing I can to help my team win,” said encourage young people to get pains while getting a taste of Iverson, a 6-foot-5, 212-pound a college degree. But he would competition at the Big Ten level. wing from Delaware, Ohio. “But also implore them to spend six And now they’re ready to apply I’m 10 times more calm, because months as a bartender and six what they learned to their next I know what to expect already, months as a cab driver for a real step of development. so I don’t have nerves coming education. He always contended “We’re all a lot more confident into the games.” “the world is run by C students.” in our game,” said Illikainen, a Iverson appeared in 34 games If winning weren’t important, 6-foot-9, 232-pound forward and averaged 13 minutes, 2.6 nobody would score, he rea- from Grand Rapids, Minnesota. points and 1.9 rebounds. soned. It was obviously import- “We’re more comfortable on the “With the experience, I feel ant to the late McGuire who court and can communicate with like I’m a lot more into the flow coached Marquette to a national the other guys and not be scared of things and the offense,” said championship in 1977 and gave out there. It’s a big change from Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 252-pound us, among his many lines, this last year. We’re all looking for- forward from Highland, Mary- memorable one, “The best thing ward to this season.” land. “I learned the speed of about freshmen is that they be- Illikainen appeared in 33 games the game and have a better IQ come sophomores.” and averaged 9.8 minutes, 2.2 reading things. You have to read So it is with Wisconsin’s Alex points and 1.5 rebounds. a pass and know where a guy is Illikainen, Khalil Iverson and “I feel like the same rules apply cutting. Just be smarter.” DAVID STLUKA

Khalil Iverson

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

worked on his outside shooting. son become more of a perimeter “AS A GROUP, I THINK THE TRIO “I wouldn’t necessarily count threat? OF SOPHOMORES HAS REAL- them,” he said of the exact num- “Guys like Nigel (Hayes) still LY GROWN AND THEY’RE GO- ber of shots that he took each dare me in practice,” said Iver- ING TO CONTINUE TO GROW day. “But I’d just be in the gym son, grinning. “But I’ve been THROUGHOUT THE YEAR,” for certain amounts of time, knocking some down (from 18 MOORE SAID. “BUT THERE ARE sometimes two times a day with feet and in) and trying to get ASPECTS TO THEIR GAME THAT my brother (Kevin Jr.) back home them to respect me some more. EACH GUY HAS TO WORK ON and along with Charlie (Thomas) I’m not really worried about AND GET BETTER AT.” when I came back to school.” threes. I have an advantage Iverson had some special mo- down low scoring and I like dis- Thomas appeared in 31 games ments above the rim last season. tributing the ball.” and averaged 9.1 minutes, 2.3 At Illinois, he had a career-high In Sunday’s Red-White scrim- points and 2.0 rebounds. 10 points, five rebounds, two mage, Iverson had four assists “They’re all being more aggres- assists, one block and one steal and zero turnovers. But that’s sive for one thing and they’re in 30 minutes off the bench. At not what got the attention of more comfortable in how they Iowa, he had three impressive Paris, who excitedly pointed out, believe they can contribute to dunks to go along with a ca- “Khalil had some really good the team,” Wisconsin associate reer-high three assists. Can Iver- plays — two rebounds, where he head coach Lamont Paris said of the trio. “That’s one of the DAVID STLUKA biggest things. Their confidence level is just so much higher.” Illikainen, Iverson and Thomas were members of the 2015 re- cruiting class that also included Brevin Pritzl, a guard from De Pere, Wis.; and Andy Van Vliet, a forward/center from Belgium. Pritzl missed most of last season with a broken foot. Van Vliet was sidelined by an NCAA eligibility ruling. “As a group, I think the trio of sophomores has really grown and they’re going to continue to grow throughout the year,” UW assistant coach Howard Moore said of Illikainen, Iverson and Thomas. “But there are aspects to their game that each guy has to work on and get better at.” They each used the offseason to develop their skills. Iverson Ethan Happ & Alex Illikainen

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

went above the crowd with two just my all-around game in tryingDAVID STLUKA really committed to doing that.” Illikainen didn’t miss a shot in the scrimmage. He was 4-of 4 from the field with one hit from three-point range. To go along with his nine points, he had sev- en rebounds. In last season’s Big Ten opener, he knocked down a couple of triples and finished with 10 points in 11 minutes against Purdue. “One thing I worked on this summer was a lot of down- low work in the post, but what showed from this game (Sun- day’s scrimmage) was my outside play,” said Illikainen. “I’m just trying to move without the ball, come off screens and get open shots. A big thing, too, is going Charlie Thomas & Andy Van Vliet hard to the boards.” One of Illikainen’s baskets hands like a grown man would.” came from a tip in the paint and Added Moore, “Khalil under- “THEY ALSO BRING SOME he said that validated the impor- stands the speed of the game THINGS TO THE TABLE THAT tance of crashing the glass and now and how he has to ad- GIVE US AN ADDED BOOST attacking. “Alex has been much just. With his athleticism and WHEN THEY GET INTO THE improved offensively in a lot of strength that he has added, he GAME,” MOORE SAID. “THEY different ways,” Moore noted. understands how hard that he CAN BRING SOME THINGS “He’s quicker. I think he’s in bet- ter condition.” has to play and what he has to THAT OTHER GUYS MIGHT bring to the table mentally, as As a team, the Badgers are BE ABLE TO BRING.” opposed to just the physical as- in better shape with the sophs pect of it.” growing into clearer roles. Iverson isn’t the only soph- to be more versatile.” “For the most part, they un- omore seeking to expand his Thomas had a clutch triple to derstand that they have glaring shooting range. go along with three rebounds at things they can get better at,” “I’m not afraid to take a three Iowa last season. Moore said. “But they also bring at all, I’ve been working on that “Slowing down and reading sit- some things to the table that a lot,” said Thomas, who made uations a little better will help him give us an added boost when the only three-pointer that he and he’s trying to do that a little they get into the game. They took in the scrimmage. Last bit more,” Moore said. “He’s con- can bring some things that other season, he was 4-of-15 from tinuing to work on getting better guys might be able to bring.” DAVID STLUKA beyond the arc. “I’ve also been defensively — limiting the ways In sum, they’re no longer working on my post game and that a guy can attack him. He’s freshmen. ▪

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 3 OF 3 BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ▪ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Learning or teaching, alumni welcomed back hen I watch Jack municator. He’s a tremendous sure will pay off for him. Cichy, I see someone fit. In the coaching business, you Wwho plays with a lot When we had an opportu- need contacts, you need some of confidence and brings energy nity to hire him full-time, we people who are willing to go out and a personality to the field. thought it was a no-brainer, just on a limb and recommend you. His enthusiasm is contagious for by the way he relates to the Al was a great player for me, but the whole defense. student-athletes and by the way I didn’t know if he could coach. Jack is a downhill linebacker. they take to him. Paul gave him some coaching There is no hesitation. He comes As a player, Soup was always responsibilities and we’ll be able full bore all the time. He is not very vocal. He had a person- to tell people about him now if feeling his way around. He is fun ality and energy and he was someone out there is looking for to watch. smart. He played in the NFL an O-line coach. You have to pay That’s a tremendous loss. and had his own business. But your dues. Jack’s out for the season with a he thought it was important to Jimmy Leonhard, our second- torn pectoral. A redshirt junior come back and get his degree ary coach in his first year back at from Somerset, Wisconsin, he’s and advanced degree. We keep UW, has a little different story. lead the team in tackling this the door open for all of our stu- The year after he retired from season with 60 so far. dent-athletes who leave without the NFL, he spent time in the Every week, we’ve been los- their diploma. office here studying film and that ing two or three guys. Michigan That’s part of who we are. type of thing. State, Michigan, Ohio State and You come here to get an educa- Jimmy was always a teacher on Iowa are all very physical teams. tion. And, in some cases, like Al the field and I think that’s why Now we play Nebraska. You put Johnson’s, you go into the NFL he was able to extend his career them all in a row and it’s brutal. and don’t realize what a degree as long as he did. Defensive co- That’s asking a lot out of a means until you’re done playing. ordinators wanted him lining up team. A gauntlet, like we’ve Al was a second-round pick people and making the adjust- had, takes a toll. We’ve got to of the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 ments. sit down and look at schedul- and spent three years starting at He always saw the big picture ing as athletic directors and as center for our team. He’s now in the secondary and he’s now a league. We have to be fair working on Paul Chryst’s staff as getting that across to our kids. somehow. a graduate assistant. Al wanted We have some great teachers on ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ to get into coaching, but you this football staff and we’re play- Last week, we announced that can’t get a college job without a ing with a lot of confidence on Lamar “Soup” Campbell had degree. And now, he can send a defense. been named assistant athletic message to our current athletes We’ve played against a lot of director for student-athlete en- on how important it is, and how good teams, four top-10 teams, gagement. it’s not just lip service. and the players have gone into Soup went to school here and Like all GAs, he’s sacrificing every game well prepared. When played football for us. He under- something for the opportunity you’re confident in what you’re stands what we’re all about. He to show people that he can not doing, it allows you to play faster. believes in our program and the only get his degree but he can That’s how we have to keep university and he’s a great com- coach. My message? This expo- playing despite the injuries. ▪

BEHIND THE DESK PAGE 1 OF 1 THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY ▪ VOICE OF THE BADGERS Badgers taking chances to have a chance t is an easy trap. Watch a team when the pundits considered is doing just that, led by a de- early in the season and make Houston a serious threat to make fense that — so far — is one of Ia final declaration. Either that the College Football Playoff? the very best in college football. team is really good, or it stinks. Two losses later, which includes Simply stated, it is all-day nasty. Take Penn State. After watch- last week’s humbling 38-16 de- The fun of sport is its unpre- ing them get run over by a truck feat to SMU, and the Cougars dictable nature. Not just with named Michigan, I figured the have moved off the radar. teams, but with individuals. Last Nittany Lions were in for anoth- Remember all the talk that Saturday, the Badgers made it er long year. Last Friday night Texas is back? The Longhorns are work with tag-team quarter- during dinner, a few of us were 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12. backs. They also go against the talking about whether Penn I have yet to even mention norm by shuffling the offensive State could give Ohio State trou- Notre Dame. Enough said. line. Neither is necessarily be- ble. Night game in Happy Valley. cause of injuries. They do it be- Another “White Out.” It sounds ONE OF PAUL CHRYST’S cause they believe it gives them good, and it always looks good, FAVORITE SAYINGS IS “GIVE their best chance to win. but the consensus was the Lions YOURSELF A CHANCE TO In other words, it gives them a simply lacked the weapons to HAVE A CHANCE.” THROUGH chance to have a chance. win. SEVEN GAMES, HIS TEAM IS Which leads to yet another Naturally, Penn State won the DOING JUST THAT, LED BY A exciting week here in Madtown. game. DEFENSE THAT — SO FAR — Another night game against So it goes in the wacky world IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST an unbeaten team. Halloween of college football. IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Weekend with the Badgers and Think about what has trans- the Huskers. Anyone care to pired already this season. Who For the Badgers, people won- predict how this tussle will un- had Michigan State losing five dered how they would navigate fold? I am fairly certain Camp straight games? Who had Ne- a schedule many consider to be Randall Stadium will be loud braska winning its first seven among the most challenging, if again. Other than that, I have no outings? not THE most challenging in the bold prediction. Northwestern had a rugged nation. It was a fair question, We might believe we have all start, which included home loss- made even more interesting the answers, but the truth is we es to Western Michigan, Illinois given the number of injuries this do not. As far as your favorite State and Nebraska. Suddenly, team has faced. team is concerned, it seems we the Wildcats are on a roll, hav- One player returns, another have learned it is a tough outfit ing won three in a row. Just like player or two exits. Yet, the Bad- that has earned a lot of national everyone figured, right? gers keep playing, and they keep respect. The above examples are just playing well. Not perfectly, but As we approach the end of from the Big Ten. certainly well enough each week October, we have learned the Anyone have Stanford with a to give themselves a chance. Badgers are in a position where 2-3 record in the Pac-12? Los- One of Paul Chryst’s favor- they have given themselves a ing to Colorado by the everyday ite sayings is “Give yourself chance to … well, by now you football score of 10-5? a chance to have a chance.” should know the rest of the sen- Remember early in the season Through seven games, his team tence. ▪

THE VOICE PAGE 1 OF 1 STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Congratulations to UW’s Student-Athletes of the Month for October. These honorees have been recognized ― via nominations from Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members, coaches, advisors and sport administrators ― for the accomplishments in athletics, academics, on campus and in the community.

MIKE CATALANO JUNIOR ▪ MEN’S SOCCER A native of Roselle, Illinois, junior Mike Catalano has made a big statement for the Wisconsin men’s soccer team this season both on and off the pitch. Catalano has been a leader for the Badgers in 2016, already scoring three goals and tallying two assists in 13 matches. He has been a physical force to be reckoned with in the midfield and has the third- most points (8), second-most goals (3), third-highest assists (2), third-highest shots (22), third-highest shots on goal (10) and the most game-winning goals (2) on the team. Catalano, a 2015 Academic All-Big Ten selection, has been a great influence off the pitch as well, taking part in all of the UW student-athlete development community ser- vice events, specifically all of the outreach clinics in the Madison area. Additionally, the 2014 Big Ten All-Freshman team selection was heavily involved in Badgers Give Back and busted out some top-notch dance moves for the Badger Brain Breaks video, which will be released later in the year.

MORGAN McDONALD JUNIOR ▪ MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY A junior from Sydney, Australia, Morgan McDonald shined for the Badgers at the 2016 Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour, finishing third in 23:55.4. His third-place showing was the highest individual finish ever by a UW runner at the prestigious meet and also earned McDonald his second Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor this season. The Aussie became the first Badger since Matt Te- genkamp to earn multiple Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors in a single cross coun- try season. McDonald, the 2014 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is a two-time All-American in track, including a first-team honor in the 5000 meters at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor DAVID STLUKA Track and Field Championships. He also broke the school record in the mile last win- ter and the UW freshman record in the outdoor 5000 meters. McDonald is enrolled in the School of Business as a finance, investment and banking major.

HALEIGH NELSON SENIOR ▪ VOLLEYBALL A senior from Cary, North Carolina, Haleigh Nelson has been the Badgers’ leader on and off the court since her freshman season. A starter throughout her entire Badger career, the 6-foot-4 middle blocker has already collected 500 career blocks earlier this season. She is just the seventh UW player to surpass that milestone. Nelson is also just 18 kills away from 1,000 kills for her career. Nelson will have led the Badgers to four straight NCAA tournament appearances, earning two All-America honors. She was a second-team selection in 2015 while also earning All-Big Ten honors. A business major, specializing in marketing, Nelson is the GREG ANDERSON advertising chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and member of the Co- ordinated Leadership Initiative. The well-spoken Nelson will graduate in May of 2017 and dreams of pursuing a job as a broadcaster for ESPN.

SPOTLIGHT: STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH PAGE 1 OF 1 ASK THE BADGERS

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD HALLOWEEN COSTUME? OR MEMORY? JACK MCLAUGHLIN DAVID STLUKA

ZACK SNIDER AVYANNA YOUNG VALENTINA MATHIS BREVIN PRITZL R-Fr. ■ M. Cross Country Sr. ■ Women’s Basketball Fr. ■ Women’s Lt. Rowing R-Fr. ■ Men’s Basketball Carmel, Ind. Milwaukee, Wis. Litchfield, Conn. De Pere, Wis.

“My favorite memory “My favorite costume “I probably wore my “My favorite costume from Halloween was memory would have Scooby Doo cos- was probably when I no doubt going as to be when I was tume for five years dressed up as a Dal- Obi Wan Kenobi! I Pebbles from the in a row. I would matian dog as a little have loved Star Wars Flintstones, because definitely say that is kid. But the costume ever since I was a lit- my dad literally made my favorite costume. I always wanted to tle kid. Obi Wan was every piece of the I never took it off. I wear — and never — and still is — my costume and even wore it for two days got to — was a Power favorite character.” made a dog bone after Halloween. It Ranger … the red one barrette for my hair.” was the actual full of course.” get-up ― zipped up all the way. I had a pull-on hat that fit over my face. For trick-or-treating, down my street was a really big street to go to because all the houses did big haunted houses. That was where the good candy was because they gave out the full-sized candy bars.” BADGERING DAVID STLUKA COACH TONY GRANATO

Tony Granato spent the first six months of his tenure as Wisconsin men’s hockey head coach taking care of things away from the ice. He had to get his staff squared away. He had to get acquainted with the administrative side of things. He had to get up to speed with his players and recruits. He had to find a place for him and his wife, Linda, to live. He also had to resume his academic career — 16 credits were needed to secure his degree — before he was able to conduct his first practice. Now the Badgers are four games into the regular season — they’re 2-2 heading into non-conference games at St. Lawrence on Friday and Clarkson on Saturday — and Granato has settled into a routine of sorts. He found a moment recently to talk about, among other things, being a student again, about his relationship with two of the greatest players in NHL history, and his favorite all-time teammate. Interview by Andy Baggot: In addition to coaching, you’re taking classes to finish your degree. Has your cumulative GPA gone up or down? “Up.”

Care to share what it is? SCROLL “I think a 3.0.”

Do students recognize you in class? “Some.”

What’s their reaction? “Positive. Nobody’s laughed at me yet. A few ask questions about the team and the games and stuff. I would say I don’t think I’ve been a distraction. I think I fit in and everything. I feel comfort- able in there.”

Are you raising your hand a lot, sitting in the front row? “I’m being a little bit quiet, but participating when needed.”

You played your whole UW career for Hall of Fame coach Jeff Sauer, but another Hall of Famer, Bob Johnson, recruited you, correct? “He recruited me before he left for Calgary (and the NHL), yes.”

Did you decide in the midst of talking to Bob that you were coming to UW? “Oh, I was coming here. If they wanted me, I was coming.”

What other schools did you consider? “I would say the second place would have been Michigan State. I went to Minnesota for a visit just to go.”

You played on the same line with Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles and coached Sidney Crosby as an assistant in Pittsburgh. What’s the takeaway from watching two of the greatest players in NHL history? “The passion and love they have for the game. They loved to be on the ice, loved to play and that passion is what drives them.”

You played at UW, in the Olympics, the World Championships, the NHL and the Canada Cup. Who’s your favorite teammate? “I’ll go with Gary Suter.”

Why? “We shared a lot of things together. We came here as freshmen. Finished together (in the NHL) in San Jose. His competitiveness. His team-first attitude. Just a great human being that I enjoyed being with. You figure that you start your run in college with him and finish your (playing) career with him, there’s a lot of things that happen in between. I thought that was really special. We roomed together at the end. We shared a lot of good times together the last couple years (with the Sharks).”

What was your recruiting experience like here as a student-athlete? “(Chris) Chelios took me out as my (host). He had a big impact for sure. I had a conversation with Badger Bob that was huge. The fans at the Dane County Coliseum. The game experience was overwhelming and that was even before I was recruited. That’s when I used to come up here (from the Granato home in Downers Grove, Illinois) as a pee wee or whatever. In my mind, Badger hockey had an image, something that I thought was the greatest place in the world.”

Coaches are famously busy and preoccupied with their programs. When’s the last time you mowed your own lawn? “This summer. Up in Eagle River (where he has property).”

What was your first job? “Beer truck for my dad. I was a helper, unloading and wheeling cases of beer into bars and restau- rants. I was 16.”

What’s the worst injury you ever played through? “Broken ribs was the most painful.”

You were in the media after retiring from the NHL, doing a radio show and working college and NHL games as an analyst and rink-side reporter. Did you enjoy it? “No. I didn’t, because it didn’t fulfill being part of a team and being close to the ice. It was more of an individualistic position. I didn’t like it. I felt like I was competing to see if I could get an ESPN (gig) against other people. I like being a part of a team. I enjoyed being around the game, but there was no filling the void of playing.”

When the National Anthem is played do you sing? Hum? What? “I think. I go through family members. I think of things I’m thankful for: our country, our service men and women. That would be my time for thanking people for what opportunities I’ve had as a professional and an American.”

If not coaching, what would you be doing for a living? “Being a part of some team. I would try and stay in management or player development. I would think about working with an agent to help — not financially or trying to make the (player) more money — but in some sort of partnership where I could help the player as a mentor.” ■ DAVID STLUKA It would be easy to describe Leo Musso in terms of what he lacks — we get it, he’s short — but those that know him best will tell you Wisconsin’s rock-solid safety is truly defined by the qualities he possesses as a teammate and friend.

eated in the front row of the south end zone, setting up. With the event services and conces- Wisconsin’s 23-year-old senior safety Leo sions, you’d get to see behind the scenes a little bit.” SMusso motioned to the empty west stands Musso estimated that he made somewhere be- under the upper deck at Camp Randall Stadium. tween $100 and $150 hawking soda. “I used to be a vendor here and sell Cokes and Don’t quote him on that. Diet Cokes,” he said, eyeing sections A, B and C. “I can’t remember honestly,” he conceded. “Two or three years over here and then I switched The money was nice, whatever the sum, but it to this side.” wasn’t the incentive. He pointed to the east stands. “I think the most challenging part about it,” he Musso recalled carrying his soft drink tray up and said, “was that I wanted to watch the game more down the stadium steps during his middle school than I wanted to sell Coke. There were a lot of oth- years. (The same steps that he would later run er kids who made more money than I did.” during off-season conditioning.) Musso had more interest in the players on the “That was my first true experience of a Badger field than the consumers in the stands. game other than watching one on TV,” said Musso, “At that point, it was surreal just seeing some of who was born in Rockford, Illinois, and moved to the greats play — guys I looked up to — like J.J. Watt Waunakee when he was 10. and Tyler Donovan,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy look- “You had to get there early to get into the game,” ing back on that.” he remembered of his duties. “You truly got to see As far as visualizing playing on that field for the the entire environment of what Camp Randall and Badgers, he admitted, “Maybe at the time, I didn’t a game day was all about. think so. But as I got older, and started to develop “You’d walk through the tailgates and see people more as a football player, I definitely saw that.” BOB CAMPBELL

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 2 OF 8 ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ here I didn’t know anything about defense. I didn’t usso accelerated his development at know the difference between Cover 1 and Cover 2. Waunakee High School. Everyone saw Or how to play defensive back techniques. Or what Mthat. Few have had more accomplished to look for. The list goes on and on. prep careers than Musso, who rushed for 5,535 “It’s kind of crazy to look back on it now. I’m yards and 87 touchdowns. sure a lot of guys who first saw me when I came in As a key component of three straight Division thought, ‘What the heck is this kid doing here?’ 2 state championship “There were other op- teams that won 41 of 42 “WISCONSIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN portunities. I could have games, Musso became a gone to Pitt with Coach HOME TO ME AND I TAKE A LOT OF household name — in all Chryst or to Northern Il- 4,000-plus households — PRIDE IN PLAYING FOR THIS SCHOOL linois and played running in the village of more than AND PLAYING FOR MY HOME STATE.” back. But Wisconsin is 12,000 residents. home to me. Obvious- “He’s got the heart of a champion,” Waunakee ly, I’m 15 minutes away (in Waunakee). Everybody coach Pat Rice once said of Musso. asks during the break, ‘Are you going home?’ Many college recruiters put the 5-foot-10 Musso “No, I am home. Wisconsin has always been home on their short list. Too short to play. Rice challenged to me and I take a lot of pride in playing for this the skeptics to look past his height, especially since school and playing for my home state.” his other measurables were so good. Musso always believed he was good enough; long Northern Illinois offered. Ditto for the University before his scoop-and-score at Michigan State. of Pittsburgh, whose first-year head coach, Paul Chryst, knew all about Musso’s running ex- ploits at Waunakee. The Badgers finally moved on Musso late in the process. Initially, they discussed him joining the football program in January, but there was a change of plans and Musso was invited to the preseason training camp in 2012. Expec- tations were modest, if not non-existent, since he was projected as a defensive back. So was a walk-on from Mil- waukee Marquette. Dare Ogunbowale was a late arrival at camp. “I remember me and him sit- ting in the back of the meet- ing room, just trying to figure out what the heck we were doing,” said Musso, who red- shirted with Ogunbowale as DAVID STLUKA freshmen. “Obviously, when I first came

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 3 OF 8 ICON SPORTSWIRE

“I kind of always knew in the back of my head that (Shelton) that he’s always going to be back there for somehow it would all work out in the end,” he said. them if they get beat or something. “Control what you can control. Work hard. Perse- “That’s just because he’s always in the right spot vere. And everything will take care of itself.” and he always knows what to expect from the of- Before becoming a fixture in the secondary as a fense that he’s playing against. fifth-year senior, Musso started only three of38 “His preparation, I feel, is unparalleled with any- games during his first three seasons. Reflecting on one else on the team. He just takes so much pride his career arc, he didn’t see a turning point. in being prepared and knowing what to expect. “It’s hard to pinpoint just because I feel the mis- “We joke every time we see him. He has his iPad takes or failures along the way defined my career out because he was just watching film. That’s Leo. I more than anything, for me, maybe not for the out- love having him on the team. And I love having him side world,” he said. be one of the leaders of the team.” “That’s just because, for me, I used them to kind Ogunbowale meant every word. of propel myself, not wanting to feel those feelings “I call him ‘Cap’ (short for captain) every time I again. They were definitely feelings that I used, I see him,” said Ogunbowale, who was voted as one guess, to get to where I am today.” of the captains along with outside linebacker Vince Ogunbowale can relate to what Musso was say- Biegel. “Leo is a true leader on this team.” ing about hard knocks and hardships. Is that true, Musso was asked, Ogunbowale ad- “Leo has gone through a lot of stuff, just like me, dresses him as “Cap?” and I’m really happy for him having the success “He does,” he said shyly. “I definitely appreciate it. that he has been having,” said Ogunbowale, who I guess it’s out of respect that he does it. I do feel eventually moved from DB to tailback. “I still re- like I have to be a leader. I’m not a dude that is vo- member his leadership even as a young guy when cal, crazy, yelling all the time. we were on the scout team. It was just the way he “I’m more lead by example, more soft-spoken, commanded respect and got it from everyone that more trying to give guys advice maybe one-on-one he was around. opposed to maybe getting up in front of the team “Now, him being a senior, and making plays, I and speaking a bunch of words. know in talking with DT (Derrick Tindal) and Sojourn “That’s kind of the leadership role that I take on.”

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 4 OF 8 “HIS PREPARATION, I FEEL, IS UNPARALLELED WITH ANYONE ELSE ON THE TEAM,” OGUNBOWALE SAID OF MUSSO. “HE JUST TAKES SO MUCH PRIDE IN BEING PREPARED AND KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT.”

“A lot of young athletes still live through Leo and the legacy that he left behind.” Musso has stashed his three state championship rings in his bedroom at home. He also has the newspaper articles that were written about those pow- erful Waunakee teams. “When I get together with some of my friends from back home,” he said, “we’ll pop in the highlight tape every now and then. There’s definitely a lot of memories I feel I could relive.” Musso introduced Dixon to Rice, a Hall of Fame coach.

DAVID STLUKA “I saw him (Rice) on the way in and gave him a hug,” Mus- so said. “And we went into the locker room after everyone else ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ filtered out. It was just me and D’Cota and Pat.” uring Wisconsin’s bye week, Musso took Musso has always had a soft spot in his heart for D’Cota Dixon to Waunakee’s Homecom- Rice. Ding game. Dixon is not only his partner in “He’s definitely like a father figure to me,” he said. the secondary, the other starting safety, but he’s a “Before I got into high school, they won a lot of state close friend. championships and were a great football team. He “He’s like my brother,” Musso said. “He means the was someone when he came into the room, you world to me. He’s truly someone who has my back listened up and watched his every move.” through anything. And I have his back through any- So, what did Musso, Dixon and Rice talk about for thing. nearly 30 minutes? “That more than anything helped develop our “We were just talking about life in general and friendship.” about the season,” Dixon said. “And he (Rice) men- Dixon, a junior from Oak Hill, Florida, was delight- tioned how Leo put a lot into that (Waunakee) pro- ed to get the Waunakee tour. gram and contributed to what it is now. “It was definitely fun seeing the impact and the in- “It was really cool to hear. Leo was very humble fluence his name still has around there,” Dixon said. about it. As always.”

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 5 OF 8 Theirs is a special kinship. his mom, Teresa. After the Iowa game, he met his “Leo is like my brother,” Dixon said. “Me and Leo dad and uncle. He has yet to meet his little sister, a have become best friends. We do just about every- first grader. Or his little brother. thing together now. Sam Musso is a 5-foot-8, 175-pound freshman “My girlfriend is coming into town and I think running back at St. Cloud State. we’re even going to go on a double-date — go to a At some point, Dixon figures, he will get to know movie — just to hang out.” everyone, just ‘cause of Leo. There are a lot of things they do together just “We’re brothers,” Dixon reiterated. “Brothers to ‘cause, Dixon is fond of saying. the end.” “Leo is the type of guy who makes you better,” he That translates on the field. continued. “Being around him makes you want to “We definitely have chemistry,” Dixon said. “We be a better person both on and off the field. don’t have to talk. We can look at each other.” “He’s a guy of faith as well. It’s very interesting to Without saying a word, they can communicate have conversations with him and hear his perspec- with their eye contact. tive and his view on life. It’s very healthy for me to Wisconsin’s first-year secondary coach, Jim Leon- be around a person like that.” hard, has taken notice. It’s a bond that is likely to endure. “They’re obviously very close — you know that “We’re best friends for life,” Dixon said. “If I stay in they’re on the same page,” Leonhard said. “It’s awe- Wisconsin, our houses are going to be a minimum some to see their communication, on and off the down the street apart. We’ve even talked about field. owning a ranch together in Middleton.” “They enjoy being around each other. As safeties, A ranch? With horses? when you have that bond, it’s so much easier to “A bunch of horses,” Dixon claimed. communicate. You can’t force it on somebody. It’s Dixon has met most of Musso’s family, including got to come naturally.

Dixon (left) and Musso have developed a strong friendship. “Leo is the type of guy who makes you better,” Dixon said. “Being around him makes you want to be a better person both on and off the field.” DAVID STLUKA

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 6 OF 6 “It’s cool to see; they’re like brothers and they take ing respect means a lot when you have guys who care of each other. On the field. Off the field. Spir- watched you play and knew the type of player you itually. It’s a really cool connection that they have.” were. Leonhard connected the dots between what Mus- “They see you, they know what you look like,” said so achieved at Waunakee and what he’s doing now the 5-foot-8 Leonhard. “And they know you proba- for the Badgers by pointing out, “He knows how to bly had to find another way, other than just beating win. He knows what it took to be successful.” somebody physically. The first time that Leonhard watched tape of “That helps as well, because guys start asking Musso, he saw his athleticism. those questions. How did you do it? How did you “He doesn’t get enough credit for the athleticism handle bigger guys? How did you handle faster that he has,” said Leonhard, a former All-America guys? You have to figure that out in order to be safety for the Badgers and a 10-year veteran of the successful.” National Football League. Musso hasn’t figured out everything. Like what “He’s not small, he’s just short. He’s very quick he’s going to do with his undergraduate degree in twitch. He can stick his foot in the ground and community non-profit leadership. He also has a cer- change directions. Those were the first things that I tificate in entrepreneurship. saw in him. “Once you start going NEIL AMENT live (in practice), tackling and doing all that, he’s very consistent. You can tell he has been around the program. He knows the defense and tech- niques that he needs to win.” To be coached by Leon- hard is a dream come true for Musso. “He was my idol,” Mus- so said. “Obviously, us being Wisconsin guys and of smaller stature, playing the same position, he’s definitely someone I’ve always looked up to. “Anytime they’d write an article about him, I’d be reading it. It’s pret- ty surreal having my idol coaching me for my final year. It’s very, very spe- cial.” How does that sit with Leonhard, who turned 34 on Thursday? To be coached by Leonhard is a dream come true for Musso. “He was my idol,” “It’s cool, it’s very hum- Musso said. “Anytime they’d write an article about him, I’d be reading it. It’s pretty surreal having my idol coaching me for my final year. It’s very, very special.” bling,” he said. “Earn-

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 7 OF 8 While completing his master’s in educational lead- who’s invested in the same things. “It’s tough from ership and policy analysis, he will consider all future that aspect.” options. He’s uncertain where it will lead beyond The defense has already shown its resiliency and saying, “I really know I like to help people.” must again, Musso suggested. The Badgers have passed the halfway point of “We really have a bunch of guys who embody their season. They are guaranteed five more games, what Wisconsin is all about,” he said. “I think more starting with Saturday night’s matchup with Ne- than anything, we’re a group of guys who have fun braska. They could play as many as seven more. playing with one another.” Will this be Musso’s last hurrah as a football play- But do the Badgers do it with less talent than oth- er? Will this be his final ers? season? “What is talent? That is “I’m treating it like it “WHAT IS TALENT? THAT IS KIND OF kind of subjective to ev- is,” he said. “But I’m not SUBJECTIVE TO EVERYBODY,” MUSSO SAID. erybody,” Musso said. “If looking into the future “WE’RE A TEAM THAT IS BUILT ON A BUNCH you were to look back on too much. I’m mainly OF ZERO STARS, TWO STARS AND THREE- our recruiting ratings or focused on this year. I STAR DUDES. THAT TOUGHNESS — KIND whatever, maybe you’d want to give my all for OF CARRYING THAT CHIP ON YOUR say we weren’t as talent- my teammates, my home ed as some groups. state and this football SHOULDER — IS WHAT WE’RE BUILT ON.” “But we’re not really team.” focused on that. We’re Moments earlier, Musso had talked about the a team that is built on a bunch of zero stars, two loss of Wisconsin’s leading tackler, linebacker Jack stars and three-star dudes. That toughness — kind Cichy, who will be sidelined the rest of the season of carrying that chip on your shoulder — is what with a shoulder injury. we’re built on.” “You know how much time he puts in and how Leonhard would like the way the “Cap” answered much he truly cares about this team,” said Musso, that question. DAVID STLUKA

LEO MUSSO: LONG ON LEADERSHIP PAGE 8 OF 8 THANKS TO

Losing a friend and fellow Big Ten player has provided WisconsinM’ s specialists with greater perspectiveSA about life and football. BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER he gift of perspective is not something you Meyer in nearby Hartland when Sadler lost control unwrap and put away for safe keeping. of the car on a rain-slicked road and struck a tree. T It’s meant to be used over and over again. The episode will be revisited Saturday night when It’s intended to be shared as much as possible. UW hosts seventh-ranked Nebraska in a pivotal Big It’s designed to adapt to any circumstance. Ten Conference game at Camp Randall Stadium. So it goes for Rafael Gaglianone, the junior kicker It will be the first time Gaglianone and his fel- for the Wisconsin football team whose gift arrived low veteran UW specialists — senior kicker Andrew amid tragedy and whose sense of perspective has Endicott, senior long snapper Connor Udelhoven, since been redefined. sophomore punter P.J. Rosowski and redshirt fresh- On the night of July 23, Gaglianone lost two close man holder Connor Allen — will see Foltz’s family friends when Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and for- and friends since the summer. mer Michigan State punter Mike Sadler were killed Gaglianone, Meyer and Udelhoven attended the in a one-car accident in Waukesha County. funeral and remain in touch with Foltz’s teammates The three were serving as student instructors at a and parents. kicking camp in Wales, Wisconsin. Foltz, who would “The kicking world — kickers, punters and long be a senior, and Sadler, who graduated in 2015, were snappers — we’re a close-bonded group,” Gaglia- driving to the home of former UW punter Drew none said. “We’re friends of everybody.

THANKS TO SAM: HONORING A FALLEN FRIEND PAGE 1 OF 3 “It’s definitely a very emotional game, everything Gaglianone said. “Just the mentality of seeing an- about it. It hits close to home because he’s not go- other day. I still get to go home and talk to my fam- ing to be here. ily and talk to my friends. “We’re going to try to do our best, as tough as it “You have to be thankful for the things we have is, to make this game a celebration of his life more and not be dwelling on the things we don’t. than anything else. That’s the way he would have “I’m blessed to be part of another day and still be a wanted it to be.” part of this great university and still be able to play.” Gaglianone will bring a unique overview to the That perspective is shared by Endicott, who’s 5-for- moment. 7 on field goals since taking over for Gaglianone. Shortly after the accident, he changed his number Both misses came last Saturday during a 17-9 from 10 to 27 to honor his friend, then connected win over Iowa. The 11th-ranked Badgers (5-2 over- on seven of his first eight field-goal attempts. all, 2-2 in the Big Ten) prevailed despite a series of But Gaglianone underwent surgery Sept. 29 to struggles on special teams, including poor decisions repair a herniated disk in his back and will miss the by returners, substandard punting and a 77-yard rest of the season. kickoff return allowed to the Hawkeyes. Make no mistake, Gaglianone would like to be in “Losing a friend like that puts everything in per- uniform, contributing to a club preparing to face its spective,” Endicott said of Foltz. fifth top-10 opponent of the season. “You miss two field goals in a game and you’re “I wish I was playing Nebraska,” he said. “I wish feeling really low and it’s like, ‘Oh, how could this things were different circumstances.” be worse?’ Here’s where the gift of perspective retains its “Well, there’s a lot more to life than a football enduring value. A temporary health issue is nothing game, so that’s definitely kept things in perspective compared to losing a cherished friend at the tender for me and (Rafael), too. age of 22. “At times football can consume your life and if “It’s changed my point of view on football and giv- football’s going well, then life’s going well. So when en me a perspective on life and the little issues,” a tragedy like this happens, everything is put in a

“The kicking world — kickers, punters and long snappers — we’re a close-bonded group,” Gaglianone said. “We’re friends of everybody.”

THANKS TO SAM: HONORING A FALLEN FRIEND PAGE 2 OF 3 new perspective. You wake up every morning being “It’s definitely a very emotional game, every- a lot more thankful for what you have.” thing about it. It hits close to home because There were times before and after back surgery he’s not going to be here,” Gaglianone said. that Gaglianone fretted about not being able to kick again. Those fears have been dispelled. “We’re going to try to do our best, as tough “It gives me a kind of peace of mind that this sit- as it is, to make this game a celebration of uation is not as bad,” he said. “I’m hungry to come his life more than anything else. That’s the back and help my team.” way he would have wanted it to be.” Those who knew Foltz speak of him in reverent tones. “You meet him one time and he’s like that old at a kicking camp in Whitewater prior to the one in friend from middle school,” Endicott said. “Just an Wales. Their farewell focused on their Big Ten game awesome guy like that. slated for Halloween weekend. “It speaks for who Sam was as a person that he “I said, ‘We’ll see you when we’re both undefeat- had such an impact on so many people.” ed,’” Udelhoven said. Udelhoven fondly recalled hanging out with Foltz The Cornhuskers (7-0, 4-0) are off to their best and others at Meyer’s house during summer kicking start in 15 years. Udelhoven smiled at the notion camps. that Foltz has a hand in that. “He treated you the same way if you’d been best “He’s had a great seat at every single game,” he said. friends his whole life or just met him for the first Gaglianone said he and Meyer intend to visit the time,” Udelhoven said. Nebraska specialists at the visiting team’s hotel on The last time Udelhoven said he saw Foltz was Friday. Gaglianone also plans to spend time with the Foltz family before and after the game. “They’re such great people,” he said. “That’s why Sam was who he was. It’s tru- ly going to be special having them here.” When Gaglianone kicked a 46-yard field goal with four seconds left to hand the Cornhuskers a 23-21 setback last season, one of the first to congratulate him afterward was Foltz. Now it’s Endicott playing that role on the big stage. “He was the kind of guy who’d root for you no matter what team you were on,” he said of Foltz. Gaglianone said seeing the Nebras- ka specialists — kicker Drew Brown and backup Spencer Lindsay were particular- ly close to Foltz — will be emotional. That will give way to a pregame gesture to honor Foltz, with Gaglianone joining the Huskers’ specialists in carrying a No. 27 Foltz jersey onto the field at Camp

Randall Stadium. GREG ANDERSON DAVID STLUKA “It’s special to come together in a matchup like this,” Gaglianone said. “It’s all about celebrating Sam.”

THANKS TO SAM: HONORING A FALLEN FRIEND PAGE 3 OF 3 INSIDE FOOTBALL BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER DAVID STLUKA

Badgers aiming to build on big plays Wisconsin’s offense gains ground, but scoring remains sticking point

here’s statistical evidence to prove that the Wisconsin -of TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE fense is more potent now than it was just a few weeks ago. T Yes, UW ranks in the bottom half of the 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams with 32 scrimmage plays of 20 yards or

more. Yes, the Badgers are situated well down the FBS list with nine runs from scrimmage of 20-plus yards. Yes, Wisconsin is averaging 24.3 points per game and 5.3 yards per play — ranking 10th and 12th among Big Ten Confer- ence schools, respectively — after seven outings.

SCROLL In other words, nothing to get too riled up about. “Still feel like we’re not really explosive yet,” UW coach Paul Chryst said during his weekly press conference Monday. “We have a long way to go.” But the 11th-ranked Badgers are making tangible progress and, as a result, are still featured prominently in the Big Ten title

discussion. TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET Wisconsin has had 14 big plays from scrimmage in its last two outings, including its longest run and pass play of the season. SOCIAL Senior tailback Corey Clement broke off a 68-yard run against MEDIA: Ohio State on Oct. 15 and true freshman wide receiver Quintez Cephus hauled in a 57-yard throw from redshirt freshman quar- terback Alex Hornibrook versus Iowa on Saturday. It all represents a significant upgrade from the first five games when UW managed a combined 18 plays of 20 yards or longer. That includes a season-low two versus Michigan and three each against LSU, Georgia State and Michigan State. Chryst said the improvement, however modest, can be traced to seizing the moment. “We’ve had a lot of opportunities,” he said. “We haven’t always been connecting on them. “We’re not changing the number of calls or trying to manu- facture any more or less. Maybe we’re being a little bit more opportunistic.” INSIDE VOLLEYBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS GREG ANDERSON

Lineup, lineup: Who’s got the UW lineup? Badgers finally settle on competitive lineup for remainder of season

alfway through the Big Ten Conference season, the TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE fourth-ranked Badger volleyball team finally has a lineup Hthat it’s going to stick with. Ironically, it’s the same lineup that Wisconsin started with

nearly two months ago in its season-opening tournament at Ha- waii, but since then things have changed. “I think prior to these last two matches, we had a different lineup the last eight (matches),” head coach Kelly Sheffield -ex plained. “It’s hard to get really good at this particular sport when people are kind of moving all over the place. It’s time for there

SCROLL to be some cohesion in us plowing forward but yeah, I think we’ve got it figured out.” The Badgers have used the same lineup the last three match- es and while they are only 1-2 with these starters, Wisconsin is finding its groove again. “I think we’ve kind of got locked in on what’s going to be our best lineup,” said Sheffield. “It’s time to get good at this lineup.” INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET The lineup Sheffield is referring to is senior Lauren Carlini at setter, senior Haleigh Nelson and sophomore Tionna Williams SOCIAL at middle blocker, junior Lauryn Gillis and freshman Molly Hag- MEDIA: gerty at outside hitter, redshirt senior Romana Kriskova at right- side hitter, and junior Kelli Bates at libero. Only Carlini, Nelson and Williams have started all 19 matches this season, all in the same position. “We were trying to figure out where everybody should be,” Sheffield said of the lineup changes. “We were trying to give (Lauryn) Gillis and (Molly) Haggerty — see what it looked like with them on the right (side). There were some exciting things that they brought on the right that we wanted to take a look at. “I think it’s trying to figure out where the pieces fit best. We weren’t able to do that in preseason or preconference season. It’s kind of in that odd area where you’re trying to figure it out the first half of the Big Ten season.” The Badgers couldn’t resolve their lineup issues during pre- season camp due to an injury to freshman M.E. Dodge. Dodge, a 5-foot-10 defensive specialist, was expected to challenge for the starting libero spot, but a knee injury sidelined her for much of preseason camp as well as the first three matches of the year. INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER

Scrimmage hints at good things to come Mike Lucas shares observations from annual Red/White scrimmage

isconsin associate head coach Lamont Paris knelt on TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE one knee in front of his Red team here Sunday after- Wnoon at the Kohl Center. On the other side of the scorer’s table, second-year UW as-

sistant coach Howard Moore knelt on one knee in front of his White team. Even though it was only an October scrimmage — the first public showing of the Badgers at the Kohl Center — Paris and Moore treated it like a classroom coaching session at halftime. “Even for the guys who have played a lot,” Paris said, “they

SCROLL haven’t played in an atmosphere since the end of last year, so it was good to get back in here with the lights on and hearing a crowd roar. “And it was also good having officials and adjusting to how they were calling it — real officials, not me and coach Moore blowing our whistles during practice.”

Moore was on the same page. TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET “I thought it was good to get the jitters out being in front of a crowd for the first time,” he noted. “Some of the newcomers SOCIAL were a little nervous. The older guys knew what to expect. MEDIA: “There are a lot of things we’ve got to clean up, a lot of things we have to correct. The execution wasn’t great. But it’s October 23. I thought the effort was decent and the play was good.” The passing was not always crisp. But the new red threads were sharp. Opposite the Big Ten logo on the jersey was a patch to honor the memory of Paris’ mom, Greg Gard’s dad and Ab Nicholas, a former UW player and a well-liked and generous basketball booster.

Some observations from the scrimmage: ▪ Bronson Koenig was consistently pushing the tempo. The only time he walked it up the floor was late in the second half when his team was trying to protect the lead. ▪ Koenig, who may be in the best shape of his basketball life, also attacked the rim and delivered a beautiful no-look pass to Alex Illikainen for an easy basket. ▪ As expected, Koenig had the ball for end of the half and end of the game situations. He lost a behind the back dribble on one and missed a layup on the other. It’s October 23. ▪ There were a handful of possessions where the teams used full-court pressure; something Gard did last year at select times with positive success in turning over the opponent. ▪ It worked only once Sunday and it was 7-foot Andy Van Vliet who had the mid-court steal. Van Vliet’s length is extraordinary and a real asset on defense in altering or blocking shots. ▪ On one lane line possession, Vitto Brown beat Van Vliet off the dribble, a positive development for Brown who then stepped out and drained a shot from his comfort zone, the arc. ▪ Van Vliet’s shooting range is noteworthy. He banked back-to- back 3-pointers. ▪ Former Big Ten official Eric Curry and Zak Showalter had a few friendly conversations on foul interpretations. Showalter had a five-point run to rally the Red team in the closing minutes. ▪ Ethan Happ scored the winning points from the free throw line — what should be his home away from home given his unde- niable presence in the paint and around the rim. ▪ Happ looked in mid-season form on a couple of reverse layups. ▪ Khalil Iverson stood out in multiple ways, especially rebound- ing. His floor vision was awfully good, too, in finding open teammates. He should be a factor in any pressure defense sit- uations. ▪ Iverson and Nigel Hayes were matched-up at the start of the scrimmage, which underlined the flexibility of both players to guard different positions, if necessary. ▪ Hayes, like Happ, should be among the Big Ten leaders in free throw attempts. Iverson also draws contact with his game, which he’s trying to extend to 18-feet. ▪ Illikainen looked more comfortable on the offensive end. So did Charlie Thomas. They didn’t rush. They let the play come to them. And they made some plays. So did guard Jordan Hill. ▪ Freshman guard D’Mitrik Trice plays with quickness and a smile. ▪ Trice had a mohawk. Brevin Pritzl had a pony tail. The Kohl Center crowd had a blast. ▪ It’s only October 23. ▪ But it’s only human nature to wonder what this team might look like in March. ▪ INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS GREG ANDERSON

Badgers in a New York state of mind Wisconsin looking forward to rare eastern series outside of Boston

here are 10 NCAA Division I schools that play college TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE hockey in the state of New York, more than one-sixth of Tall schools in the country, but it has been a long time since the Wisconsin Badgers have played a game in the state.

More than 10 years, in fact. The last time the Badgers were there was in March of 2004, when UW came within one goal of reaching Boston’s 2004 NCAA Frozen Four. Playing in New York’s capital city of Albany, the Badgers dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Maine. It’s been more than 25 years since the last time the Badgers

SCROLL played at a team’s home rink in New York. That took place March 15 and 16, 1991, when the Badgers dropped a pair of games to Clarkson in the NCAA tournament. This year, the Badgers will skate in three games inside the Empire State, with this Friday’s game at St. Lawrence, this Satur- day’s game at Clarkson and then a game on Jan. 28 against Ohio State as part of Super Saturday at Madison Square Garden. INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET “Two different teams, two teams we certainly don’t know a whole lot about,” head coach Tony Granato said. SOCIAL The Badgers haven’t gotten many chances to play at eastern MEDIA: schools like these two ECAC-member institutions. They are known for the character-filled arenas. Appleton Arena at St. Lawrence definitely fits that description. Seating 3,200 fans, so not too much more than LaBahn Are- na, Appleton Arena opened in 1951 and still boasts many of its original features, including a northern woods-like feel with wooden bleachers and ceiling. Cheel Arena at Clarkson seats 3,000 and is relatively new, having opened in 1991. With St. Lawrence in Canton and Clarkson in Potsdam, the two schools are within a 20-minute drive from each other. In far northern New York, they are also within an hour’s drive of Canada. Hockey country. UW freshman defenseman JD Greenway is from Canton. UW head coach Tony Granato played some of his early hockey days at Northwood School in Lake Placid, about 90 miles from the Canton-Potsdam area. Playing for years in the WCHA and playing regular non-con- ference games and series with the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Northern Michigan and taking trips to locales in the Mid- west and Boston, there haven’t been trips to some of the small- er schools out east. It is going to be a fun trip. ■ INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY A.J. HARRISON ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

Badgers’ long road trip ends in Mankato No. 1 Wisconsin wraps up six-game travel stint at Minnesota State

or the third-straight weekend, the top-ranked Badgers hit TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE the road as they travel to Mankato, Minnesota, to take on FMinnesota State. UW is coming off of four-straight games on the road against

ranked teams, as UW swept then-No. 7 Clarkson to begin the road trip before sweeping then-No. 9 North Dakota on the road for the first time since the 2010-11 season. “I think the series with North Dakota went really well,” senior Jenny Ryan, an alternate captain this year, said. “It’s always good to get a sweep on the road, especially against another ranked

SCROLL opponent. They are always a challenging team to play and I think we played well.” “I think last weekend showed our persistence as a team,” soph- omore Sophia Shaver said. “We were able to earn a close 2-0 win on Saturday afternoon and maintained our energy into Sun- day’s game where we came out with a 5-1 win.” This weekend’s road series caps off a six-game road swing INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET which featured more than 2000 miles of travel and games in three separate states. SOCIAL “It’s definitely been a unique stretch because we haven’t ever MEDIA: really travelled this much consecutively,” junior Baylee Wellhau- sen said. “It’s been an adjustment playing so much on the road. But we all are focusing on making sure that our academics are taken care of, trying to adapt to various rinks and environments to play in and just trying to maintain that ability to play our game no matter where we are.” During the road trips, the Badgers have spent a lot of time together, ranging from team meals to trips to get coffee and tea. INSIDE CROSS COUNTRY BY A.J. HARRISON ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Badgers prepare for postseason action UW travels to Minnesota for 2016 Big Ten Cross Country Championship

ne of Wisconsin Director of Track and Field and Cross TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE Country Mick Byrne’s most famous sayings is that his Oprogram’s focus is on “Big Tens and beyond”, as in the postseason competitions are the most important meets of the

season. “We always talk about preparing for the postseason,” Byrne said. “You can’t talk about that and not mean it and not believe that. We’ll always train for that last part of the season.” The first leg of “Big Tens and beyond” is on Sunday as the Bad- gers head to the Twin Cities for the 2016 Big Ten Cross Country

SCROLL Championship. “I expect both teams to go in and compete for the Big Ten ti- tle,” Byrne said. “I think both races are wide open, and you don’t always get that opportunity. All you can ask your kids to do is get in a fight, and I think we are certainly in a position where we can go in to fight and to win another Big Ten title.” Sunday’s championship meet marks UW’s second trip to the INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET Les Bolstad Course, as the Badgers opened their campaign at the Oz Memorial Invitational on Sept. 9. SOCIAL “Anytime you’re familiar with the course, it’s a big advantage,” MEDIA: Byrne said. “We’ve given our student-athletes maps of the course and we’ve told them that their job is to study it. Their job is to know every twist and turn, every bump in that course and every little rise. It’s a rhythm breaker and it’s the type of course that I love as it’s challenging. “We’re prepared for it, we’ve been preparing for this all year. But having the opportunity to run on it was absolutely huge.” INSIDE MEN’S SOCCER BY KELLI GRASHEL ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

No. 24 UW preps for last home game Badgers still undefeated at home, looking ahead to postseason

hey never needed the recognition or the ego boost. The TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE Badgers just kept playing, not trying to impress anyone Telse, but themselves. They had their goals, knew what they wanted this season and that was simply all that mattered.

But now this stout squad is receiving the recognition they have earned and deserve. The Badgers moved into the national rankings in several polls this week, notably the No. 24 spot in the National Soccer Coach- es Association (NSCAA) poll. It’s the first time UW has been in the rankings since being featured in the preseason poll on Aug.

SCROLL 6, 2014. Additionally, goalkeeper Philipp Schilling was recognized for his top-notch performance in back-to-back shutouts against Milwaukee and highly-ranked Indiana. Schilling was picked as the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the first honoree for the Badgers since Oct. 7, 2015. Just the 22nd de-

fensive player of the week selection in program history, Schilling TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET earned the award after stifling a career-high six saves against

the fourth-ranked Hoosiers. SOCIAL “It’s nice. It’s never about me, it’s about the guys on the team,” MEDIA: head coach John Trask said. “They’ve worked so hard and at some point you want to get acknowledged for that work. Not only the national ranking in a few different publications, but Philipp Schilling getting Defensive Player of the Week in the Big Ten. As I said, that could go from Tom Barlow and Chris Mueller throughout our whole team and I think Philipp would be the first one to say that. “But it’s nice. When you play sports, you want to be honored. There’s a lot of other sports on our campus that are nationally ranked right now, so for men’s soccer to be nationally ranked this late in the season, our guys take a lot of pride in that.” The late-season ranking bodes well for the Badgers and ap- plauds the team’s efforts. Case in point: A dominant 3-1 win against Western Illinois to top off a Tuesday that had already been so kind to the Badgers, learning that they made their way into the rankings and had a player earn a weekly honor. UW had led 3-0 headed into the second half, but let one slip past them early in the second half. INSIDE WOMEN’S SOCCER BY KELLI GRASHEL ▪ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

Badgers’ regular season comes to a close Wisconsin turning in strong performances in final conference games

erseverance is a trait that the Wisconsin women’s soccer TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE team knows well. P In spite of hitting a rough patch at the beginning of the season, the Badgers persevered and are now on a six-match

unbeaten streak. In spite of playing through nine overtime games and 168 min- utes of overtime, the Badgers persevered and have not lost a single game in overtime, picking up two wins and seven ties. “I was really proud with our team’s effort,” head coach Paula Wilkins said. “The last six games we’ve played I thought that ev-

SCROLL erything I’ve asked them to do, they’ve done and they’ve done their best.” “I was really proud of our players and I believe if they bring that again, we’ll see some great things because the effort and attitude our team brings is fantastic.” UW has defined what it means to finish out a season strong and has moved up to 43rd in the RPI. INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS TWEETS VIEW TO REQUIRED CONNECTION INTERNET “I told them in our meeting that we build confidence from preparation and they’ve showed in the last couple of games SOCIAL that they’re able to play with the top teams in the conference,” MEDIA: Wilkins added. “They’ve gotten better each time and we’re just looking to bring that same effort and same mentality that we’ve had for the last couple games, and like I said, they’re going to put everything out there, do their best, and I truly believe they are, and I’m excited for the game on Wednesday.” After closing out regular-season play against Rutgers on Wednesday night at the McClimon Complex, the Badgers are setting their sights ahead to the Big Ten tournament. The tournament starts on Oct. 30 with the quarterfinals, then picks back up with the semifinals and finals Nov. 4-6. The quar- terfinals are hosted by the highest-seeded teams and then the semifinals/finals will be hosted at the highest remaining seeds’ host sites.