Tucker has enough tricks that UW coach sees him Tucker Makes Big eventually playing two or three more positions. Impression "He may play () some," Ryan said. "He might play (small The Freshman Forward Has Already Proven He forward). He might play (), eventually. We're just Can Play Inside With The Big Boys starting.

Vic Feuerherd State Journal "He's made some very good decisions with the ball when we do November 14, 2002 our press break. He's a pretty good passer. He's a little more comfortable (at power forward) and maybe we can expand from there. Alando might be able to play two or three positions." is not making a big deal about it, but he swears he is an inch taller than his listed height of 6-foot-5 on the University of Wisconsin men's roster. At this , Tucker is open to all of Ryan's possibilities. Tucker will take every inch he can get. "Anything (Ryan) puts forth is going to be a challenge for me, "I hope it's not the last inch," he said. "I might have to squeeze but I'm willing to take that challenge and live up to his out another inch or two." expectations," Tucker said.

Tucker, a freshman from Lockport, Ill., will take anything that will prove an asset as he prepares for life in the lane as a college player. His education gets its first test Friday and Saturday when UW opens its regular season in the NABC Classic at the Kohl Center.

"I'm ready," Tucker said this week after a UW practice. "You're anxious. You want the real things to start."

If Tucker's two quizzes last week are any indication, he is ready. He received a passing grade in UW's two exhibition wins, as he showed he could hold his own at the power forward position. But playing as a so-called undersized power forward against Division I competition will be a challenge. Tucker knows that as well as anyone.

"Nothing is going to be easy," said Tucker, who averaged 12 points and 5.5 rebounds in the two exhibition games. "It's just going to take work, work in practice."

That work will come against the Badgers' two frontcourt starters - - 6-8 Mike Wilkinson and 6-11 Dave Mader. Throw in 6-9 Andreas Helmigk, and Tucker is getting a big-time education.

"Hopefully, those guys will get me ready and put me in the position that if in a game I have to guard someone who has two or three or four inches on me, it will help me a lot."

But Tucker doesn't expect much to come easy.

"It shows in practice," he said. "If you come to practice one day and maybe you don't feel good or something, other guys will step up and exploit you. They'll outbang you; outhustle you; outrebound you. It definitely shows."

It wasn't easy when he was younger and played against his brother Antonio, who is four years older than Alando, 18. It wasn't easy when Antonio would bring along his 6-6 friends and a sixth-grade Alando ended up looking up on the defensive end of those pickup games.

"Here, it's another level," Tucker said. "But that always gets you ready. You learn some tricks from those guys." Tucker's response to such a rare superlative from his coach was an Tucker Brings His 'a' Game aw-shucks shrug of the shoulders. "That gives me even more Tucker Has Made Immediate Impact motivation to come out and work even harder," he said in his deep, baritone voice. By Rob Schultz, The Capital Times January 8, 2003 He's even trying to put more arc on his shot, which flattened out after he broke a bone in his hand last summer diving for a loose ball during a practice for an Illinois all-star game. The letter 'A' was important to Lisa Tucker when her kids were born. What gives Tucker the ability to learn is that he knows how to listen and he doesn't get excited. That comes from having to mature No matter what obstacles were presented to her, she figured out a in a hurry at Lockport Township High School, when he had to take way to start all her kids' names with the first letter of the alphabet. a leadership role as a freshman on the varsity team. Antonio, Alicia and Aaron were easy. She got creative with the other two. Once he learns, Tucker is quick to expand his knowledge with his instincts. Against Temple, he figured out during the game that Instead of naming one daughter Olivia, she named her Alivia. And Hawkins didn't like going to his left, so he overplayed him to the instead of naming one son Orlando, she named him Alando. right. He dared Hawkins to go left and forced him to take bad shots.

Ever since, Alando Tucker has thought about that letter, too. He "We always talk to our guys about learning on the fly," said Ryan. thinks about it during classes, practices and games with the "As you play, in a game, you're picking up tendencies every University of Wisconsin men's basketball team. Everywhere he possession. The smart guys, the guys who are really attentive, pick goes, Tucker always brings his 'A' game. that up and really use it."

The talk of the as the season opens this week It's the definition of a gamer, which is an adjective Ryan often uses has centered on all the talented freshmen. to describe his prized freshman. "I've had a lot of guys who think like him and I've had some guys who don't," said Ryan, "I like all Indiana guard Bracey Wright, Illinois guards Dee Brown and the guys who think." , and guard Daniel Horton of Michigan (7-6), which the Badgers (10-2) play in their conference opener here The Big Ten season starts tonight for the Badgers, and Tucker will tonight, have gained the most notoriety. They all have played big have the unenviable task of trying to stop the Wolverines' star, roles in the successes of their respective teams. LaVell Blanchard, who is a taller, more experienced version of Tucker. But Tucker is treating it no differently than when the But none of those freshmen have played any more of an important Badgers prepared to play Chicago State. role for their teams than Tucker has for the Badgers. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan will be first in line to say Tucker belongs on the A- He wants to avert a situation like at the Bradley Center earlier this list of the conference's top freshmen. season, when an electric crowd helped Marquette edge the Badgers. How the 6-foot-5 Tucker helps the Badgers goes beyond averaging 12.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.3 percent "In games like that, you have to learn to keep your emotions down from the field. and just try to stay focused," said Tucker, who wasn't able to do that vs. the Golden Eagles. "At the start of that game, everybody's It was seen in his defense of Temple guard David Hawkins, who energy was flowing and you didn't pay attention to some of things Tucker goaded into a 7-for-20 shooting night despite having to you're supposed to be doing out there. You're just feeding off spend much of the game chasing Hawkins on the perimeter. It was emotions." seen in his defense of bigger players like 's Brandon Hunter and UNLV's Dalron Johnson in the paint. Tucker will be just one of many freshmen playing tonight. Michigan will start Horton and 6-6 freshman Lester Abram in the It is seen every day in practice, when few Badgers work harder or backcourt. The Wolverines will alternate freshmen Graham Brown listen better than Tucker, who has a desire for learning like Anna and Chris Hunter at center. Nicole Smith has a desire for eating. Tucker doesn't know any of them because he didn't play much You think the young man nicknamed 'Doe' is good now? Just wait. AAU ball during high school. The only other conference freshman he knows well is Illinois' Dee Brown, who he played with during Ryan has had plenty of players in his 30-plus years of coaching some summer tournament games. who have learned to become good rebounders or good scorers or good passers or good defenders. But Tucker is in a class by himself "It doesn't really make a difference what they do," Tucker said of because he has the ability to become good at everything. the other conference freshmen. "I glance at it and think it's great You name it, Tucker wants to do it - and do it well. And that thrills they are doing good." Ryan more than Tucker's record-setting vertical leap, his 300-plus pound bench presses and his inside-outside game. But he will never try to one-up his freshman brethren. That's too emotional. "If you take Alando in five, six, seven categories, and take his improvement and run it - there's no one that I've ever coached who "I just try to find opportunities, like if I can score or if I can have a has come close to it," said Ryan. great defensive game," said Tucker. "I just try to take what the game gives me." circumstances of a game against Indiana, televised Still On The Way Up to about half the nation on CBS and in front of UW Freshman Forward Alando Tucker high-profile announcers Dick Enberg and Clark Continues To Impress And Improve Kellogg.

Vic Feuerherd, Wisconsin State Journal "Maybe he was a little tight. Maybe he was a little February 19, 2003 unsure of what was next," Ryan said. "Maybe he just was a little unsure of himself. That would make University of Wisconsin freshman forward Alando for tentative decisions." Tucker played what probably was his worst game of the season Saturday against Indiana. He may have Tucker knows who to talk to when he needs an played his best game, too. answer. He regularly checks in with senior guard to get observations or just throw That may not make much sense, but Tucker's something by him. uncharacteristic funk in the first 20 minutes against the Hoosiers was much like the rest of his "He's played in the Olympics, the Final Four," teammates on the UW men's basketball team. But Tucker said of Penney. "He can only help you. I try his second-half awakening helped the Badgers to take everything in. If you put it together, piece from an eight-point deficit en route to a by piece, the puzzle eventually comes together." 71-59 win. It was that attitude the UW staff noticed when it The Badgers continue their quest toward a second recruited Tucker. straight Big Ten Conference title tonight when they face Penn State (5-16 overall, 0-10 Big Ten) at the "He's humble. He's hungry to learn. He figures stuff Bryce Jordan Center. out and picks it up quick," Bennett said. "He wants to be as good as he can be, and he's got such a big "The missing piece," Indiana coach Mike Davis upside." called Tucker after the game. That upside has been demonstrated since he joined Tucker went scoreless in the first half with just the starting lineup, a span in which the Badgers are three rebounds and appeared lost on defense as the 14-4. Badgers (18-5, 8-3) fell behind 29-21. But he answered the bell in the second half with nine points and five rebounds. At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, Tucker regularly gives up 3 or more inches and 15 or more pounds against opponents. "A lot of young kids, when it's not going for them early, don't recover from it. He got it back," UW assistant coach Tony Bennett said. "That's a nice Still, he is averaging 12.5 points and 5.9 rebounds compliment to him. per game overall. Just less than half of those rebounds (2.9) come on the offensive end, the best average in the Big Ten. "It wasn't his best basketball in the first half, but that's good. You look at the stat sheet and he comes up with almost a double-double. He really Tucker expects to get better because he wants to did regain it. That's a good sign." get better.

Tucker has proven to be such a pleasant surprise "If you have people always telling you what you're that when he doesn't meet the expectations he has doing good, you don't learn what you're doing set over 23 games -- 18 as a starter -- the natural wrong," he said. "You need someone to tell you question to ask is what went wrong. what you need to work on. That's what this team is great at."

Yet Tucker is more poised and mature than his 19 years might indicate. He asks what is wrong, and A few weeks ago, Ryan said Tucker had surpassed then wants to know what it takes to make it right. all expectations. Only one person went on the record to disagree.

"I just had to think of the things I was doing that weren't correct," he recalled of a halftime talk with "I still have a lot to achieve," Tucker said. "I'm himself. "You have to re-encourage yourself." never going to settle."

UW coach Bo Ryan speculated that for the first time this year Tucker may have been awed by the Tucker said he needs to feel a rhythm with his teammates again. "I have to get out some of the jitters and try to come out and just Crowd welcomes back perform, be my regular self," he added.

Tucker Harris said it was "a little weird" to have Tucker back in the rotation again after playing without him for so long. By Rob Schultz, The Capital Times December 11, 2003 "You call certain sets and he didn't know where to go," said Harris. "It's going to take time for him to learn the sets and for us Alando Tucker walked to the scorer's table for the first time this to get used to him and what he's doing and making certain reads season and was stunned when he heard the Kohl Center crowd on certain plays. With experience and once he feels comfortable, stirring. then we'll feel more comfortable with him."

It turned into a full-fledged ovation Wednesday night when the That's why UW coach Bo Ryan believed that what Tucker may University of Wisconsin men's basketball team's sophomore have done best Wednesday night was just get in the game. forward made his season debut official and walked onto the court with 13 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the first half against "Alando did some good things. The best thing was he got on the UW-Green Bay. floor; he got in front of the crowd, he got to play against somebody else," said Ryan. "I think that's definitely going to help "It was a shock," said Tucker, who missed all of training camp Saturday and the next game and the next game and the next and the team's first five games because of a broken bone in his game. Just to get him out there was good." foot.

"They were waiting to see what I could do," added Tucker after the Badgers' 73-57 victory over the Phoenix. "I got out there and just tried to stay focused on what I had to do and that was great. It felt good, but I had to stay focused."

Tucker's return is certainly exciting for the Badgers, who are expecting a boost from a member of last year's Big Ten Conference all-freshman team. The explosive Lockport (Ill.) native led the conference in offensive rebounds and was third on the team in scoring (12 points per game) last season.

"We're glad to have him back because he brings a lot of energy to the floor and he's so athletic and we need that," said senior guard Freddie Owens.

But it will take some time before he'll reach his prime playing shape.

Tucker's first move against the Phoenix was to foul while attempting to rebound teammate ' missed 3-pointer. That occurred just seven seconds after he stepped onto the court.

But that was forgotten less than a minute later and during the Badgers' next possession when Tucker line-drived a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt of the season.

"I still had a little left in me," joked Tucker, who finished with five points.

He was admittedly rusty during a performance that lasted just 12 minutes and followed only two days of practice. The 6-foot-5 Tucker was cleared to practice Monday.

"I'm a ways away. It's going to be slowly but surely. I'm going to build on each practice, each game," Tucker said. "I had two practices coming into this game. The more I practice the better I'll be and the more comfortable I'll feel out on the court." Tucker's absence means UW won't have the added dimension that Tucker's Season Shelved the sensational jumper and rebounder provided. Sophomore To Seek Medical Redshirt Tucker had surgery Oct.13 after breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot running the Elver Park hill Oct.9. By Jon Masson, Wisconsin State Journal February 3, 2004 He missed the first five regular-season games before averaging 14 points in the next four games. Tucker then re-injured his right Purdue coach marveled Monday at how the foot late in UW's game against Ohio Dec.27 in Cleveland and University of Wisconsin men's basketball team hasn't missed a hasn't played since. beat despite injuries to starters Alando Tucker and Freddie Owens. "We just play on. ... It won't change anything for our players," Ryan said. "We can feel for Alando and the fact he won't be able The 14th-ranked Badgers, however, will have to see whether they to play the rest of this year. He has handled everything so well so can claim a third consecutive Big Ten Conference title now that far. ... He's been cheering us on. He's stayed positive. He's Tucker, a 6-foot-5 sophomore forward, has decided to sit out the worked hard." rest of the season because of a right foot injury. Ryan said he didn't know if Tucker's injury will heal on its own "We miss him, don't get us wrong," UW starting forward Mike or whether additional surgery will be needed. Ryan said Tucker Wilkinson said. "But we've played a few games without him. didn't come back too soon -- and that he was kept out two weeks He's still part of the team. So, we are not losing him there. He more than the normal recovery time. will be on the bench motivating (us) and he'll be in the locker room and he will still be a big part of what we do here. But he's "Forget all the second-guessing," Ryan said. "That would be just not going to be playing in any games and we just have to stupid." make our adjustments and have other people step up, as they have all year."

Badgers coach Bo Ryan said Monday that UW will apply for a medical hardship waiver for Tucker, seeking to regain his year of eligibility.

Under NCAA rules, UW can apply to the Big Ten once this season is completed. The medical hardship can be granted if the student-athlete's injury occurred in the first half of the season and he didn't participate in more than 20 percent of his team's games.

"I don't know why it wouldn't happen," Ryan said. "It fits all the qualifications."

The decision was announced Monday after Tucker had a medical exam Friday and talked to his family over the weekend, Ryan said.

"This was a tough decision for me, but after talking to our doctors following my physical exam and testing on Friday, I feel that it is the best decision for me," Tucker said in a statement. "It's not easy for me to have to sit out, but I am confident that this is the best choice for me in the long run. I will continue to support my teammates during practice and games to my fullest extent and look forward to coming back next season at 100 percent."

Tucker declined further comment, UW sports information spokesman Brian Lucas said.

Owens, who's missed the past three games with a left foot injury, participated in the first part of practice Monday and then had a class to attend and wasn't available for comment, Lucas said.

Owens, a 6-2 senior guard, was listed as day-to-day for first-place UW (14-3 overall, 5-1 Big Ten), which plays last-place Minnesota (8-11, 0-7) Wednesday night at the Kohl Center. The Right Stuff host a recruit. His ability to get prepare yourself, telling yourself you can teammates to listen is why last season do it.” Jeter sometimes urged Tucker to spark Tucker leads Badgers on and off the his teammates even as he sat out with a court In the weight room, Tucker is sometimes foot injury. part drill sergeant, a trait he picked up from his brother, who completed a tour Journal Sentinel His desire to improve is why little of service in the Army last year. Back in concern exists among the coaches about Tucker’s hometown of Lockport, Ill., it’s Wednesday, November 10, 2004 Tucker’s move from power forward to big brother Antonio, 23, pushing Tucker By Mark Stewart small forward, and his presence in to his limits. general is part of the reason why the team is confident of its chances in the Alando Tucker’s basketball game is big, “When I go home, it’s non-stop work,” post-Devin Harris era. smooth and certainly worth watching. he said. “I go back home and my brother and I get right back on it. We have days Eight letter-winners, including off, but it does grow on you when you’re When the University of Wisconsin Wilkinson, a pre-season all-Big Ten around that 24-7. sophomore forward leaps off the court, Conference selection, return to a Badgers to grab a rebound, his head and chest team that won a school-record 25 games have often been above the rim. “He has strong vocal aspects and it last year. As far as leadership goes, the passes down. I was around him all the team also gets it from Wilkinson in time so it was natural to pass it down.” And the dunks! . . . addition to seniors Sharif Chambliss and Clayton Hanson. Tucker accepts that leadership role Well, he has the ability to slam some willingly, especially now that he is back home with ferocity and others with the However, the energy Tucker brings to on the court. finesse of a high-flying point guard. the floor has been contagious, according to Ryan. Also, there is something to be As a freshman, he averaged an eye- The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Tucker goes into said when a player of his size can work opening 12 points and 5.9 rebounds per the paint, among often much-bigger inside and out on the court, and is one of game and was named to the all-Big Ten front-court players, and beats them at the team’s fittest as far as conditioning is freshman team. their own game. And he does it all with a concerned. walk and sleep-eyed stare that says he Last year, Tucker broke his foot during means business. “He’s one of these guys that guys would pre-season conditioning, but returned in automatically look up to him because he December and averaged 14 points and How ironic then is it that his best traits can back it up,” Jeter said. 4.5 rebounds per game in four games can’t be seen. before suffering a second injury to the One of the secrets to Tucker’s to success foot that ended his season. Tucker is one of the greatest athletes to is that every off-season he pairs himself up with a guard to lift weights and play ever play basketball for UW, but what During his time off, Tucker said he one-on-one games. The goal is for the makes him special are his leadership learned to dissect games from the bench. 205-pound Tucker to learn how to guard skills and one of the fiercest competitive It’s helped him become what Jeter calls a quicker players while his partner learns spirits coach Bo Ryan has ever been coach on the floor, someone who can not how to handle someone bigger and around. only tell a teammate the right way to do stronger. something but also show him. “He’s the closest thing to Robby Jeter at that position that coached," Ryan said, Harris, who now starts at point guard for It’s one of those intangibles that makes referring to his top assistant whom he the , used to work out Tucker’s return special. coached at Platteville. with Tucker but when Harris left early for the National Basketball Association, Tucker began working out with “I think that it is doing wonders for the “I thought Robby Jeter was the most sophomore point guard Kammron team,” Taylor said. “Everybody is seeing competitive person and someone who Taylor. that he is coming off of injury and that he affected teammates as much as anybody is working hard and I think everybody is I’ve ever been around.” just feeding off that.” Perhaps it is no coincidence that Taylor, who was at the end of the bench last Tucker, along with senior forward Mike season, is have a very good pre-season Wilkinson, is considered Wisconsin’s and may open the season as the starting best player, and thus is important to the point guard. UW program on a number of fronts.

“It would be like I had to do 190 on my The way he balances athletics, academics bench for my last set, he’d tell me to go and college life is why he is one of the 195 or 200,” Taylor said, “just to mentally first players the coaching staff calls upon when they’re looking for someone to Driven To Succeed In Game Of Even on the basketball court, where Tucker "When you're a kid you don't see the has developed into one of the Big Ten dangers," Tucker pointed out. "All you see is Life Conference's most exciting players. fancy cars and guys portrayed as a certain way. You see guys who earn it the right way Tucker Is Wise Beyond His Years Jeter laughed as he recalled all the times he and you see guys who earn it the wrong way has seen opponents big and small leave their but you don't know the difference. So you feet on shot fakes by Tucker, who is much come up and want to do the same thing. They Wednesday, December 29, 2004 try to influence you to do certain things and By Rob Schultz, The Capital Times stronger driving to the basket than taking a jump shot. the strong ones survive and make it out while the weaker ones don't." Alando Tucker recalled the frustration he felt "That amazes me," said Jeter. "If I'm last December in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when his guarding him, why would I even jump at his Tucker credits Antonio, his mother and injured foot kept him out of Wisconsin's jump shot? Just let him shoot it. But he's grandmother for creating a path for him to basketball game against the Crimson Tide. crafty enough to get them to believe he's follow to make sure he got out. really going to shoot it. He gets them in the Unfortunately, he tended to stray from it It was shortly before he found out the injury air and goes right around them." when he was younger. was going to end his season. And it was just before he found out that an acquaintance of Tucker, who is making 53.4 percent of his "He was a knucklehead during his earlier his had been murdered back home in Joliet, shots overall and 28.6 percent from 3-point years," said Antonio, who recalled all the Ill., in a gang-related shooting that turned out range in his first season playing the small times his family was phoned by the school to be a case of mistaken identity. forward position, succeeds because he principal to tell them Alando had run away understands his limitations and, like a from elementary school. "There were a lot of things I went through defender, knows best how to get around last season that made me stronger as a them. "So we'd all go around searching for him," person," the Badgers' 6-foot-5 forward said Antonio remembered. "The next thing we'd softly. "He knows he's not going to make a lot of come back to the house and I'd be the one to jump shots, but he's going to get you into the find him. I'd say, What's that moving in the Remarkably, almost nobody knew anything paint, he's going to get you to leave your feet bushes over there?' " was bothering Tucker, who quietly grieved and he's going to finish. He's going to find a behind closed doors. Outwardly expressing way to beat you," Jeter explained. * any anger or frustration never entered his mind. * Several factors led Alando back onto the right path. First, his mother, Lisa Tucker, "I don't ever want to have people see me like Tucker, with a double-double in each of his moved the family out of Joliet to nearby that," said Tucker, who channeled all his past two games to boost his scoring and Lockport. negative emotions last season into a positive rebounding averages to 15.6 and 6.5, role as the team's most vocal locker-room respectively, is especially dangerous playing "It was a little nicer area and the schools were leader. against bigger opponents in the paint. better academically," Alando said. "My mother knew if I was going to get out of No wonder teammate Ray Nixon calls Tucker That comes from learning the game from his there, I needed to be in a better school." "an old 20-year-old." Or why Wisconsin oldest brother, Antonio, who is four years associate head coach Rob Jeter thinks the older and didn't hesitate to use his height and It was a difficult task to move, too, because Badgers' leading scorer is wise beyond his weight advantage to beat Alando to a pulp on Lisa was a single mom raising five kids while years. the basketball court when they were working at a job that didn't pay well. Besides youngsters. Antonio, who is now 25, Alando also has an When Tucker walks out onto the Kohl Center older sister, Alisha, 23, who is mentally floor tonight with the Badgers to play No. 18 "I'd tell him that when I'd get older, I was challenged; a younger brother, Aaron, 13; in their nationally televised going to take it at him," said Alando, who and younger sister, Alivia, 12. nonconference finale, he'll be cheered as the also helped his jumping ability by wearing ultra-competitive, super-strong and athletic his brother's strength shoes like they were a His mother's demeanor as she raised her kids redshirt sophomore forward; the human pair of comfy adidas. "And once I got older taught Alando how to keep a positive attitude Super Ball with a jump shot so flat that it and started growing, we had big battles in through the most difficult of circumstances. makes pancakes look round. football, baseball and basketball." "She always showed me different ways to handle things other than to get mad," said But look below the surface and you'll find a As they got older, the brothers who were best Alando. well-grounded, disciplined and driven young friends also had long conversations about man who is a sponge for knowledge. Also in how they wanted a better life. His grandmother, who is always at the house possession of an extraordinary heart, Tucker and plays the role of disciplinarian, made has gotten to this point of his life by staying sure Alando showed respect for his elders positive and using what he knows to always Until Alando was 14, they lived on the east while, at the same time, showed him how to find a way, any way, to get things done. side of Joliet in a neighborhood ruled by gangs and violence. At a young age, Tucker speak his mind when it mattered most. said he witnessed murders and robberies and saw how gangs can be a magnet. "My mother is more on the shy side," Alando "We tried to teach him about team and how they made to each other back in the days said. "My grandmother, you know when she's important it was to have teammates and when they were still living in Joliet. around because she has a loud talk." appreciate them," said Lockport coach Larry Thompson, who watched with great "We both promised each other we'd never * anticipation as Alando moved to Madison start drinking or doing drugs," said Antonio. and began absorbing knowledge from the "I kind of broke that promise a little bit. UW and its coaches. Alando's game started really improving about When I was in the Army I tried drinking. But the same time that the family moved to to this day, I don't think Alando has tried Lockport. He was dunking by seventh grade * liquor, smoked reefer or tried cigarettes. It's and dominating competition by the time he just his wisdom of having to become the man was in eighth grade. Alando couldn't have been happier as a of the house at a young age, of trying to be a freshman at Wisconsin. Continuing to be an positive influence for his younger brother and sister." That also was about the time Alando saw eager student of the game, he immediately some of his friends he played ball with every bonded with coach Bo Ryan. His competitive day drop out of school or head into the drug edge was tested daily in matchups with the As well as Alando has played at times on the game. "I had to grow up," said Alando, who equally competitive Jeter. He got stronger in basketball court this season, Antonio said decided to quit ditching school. "I couldn't the weight room and stretched his vertical what he may remember most about Alando live like that because it wasn't going to get leap to an incredible 38 inches. from this year is how he helped his family me anywhere." last week after returning home to Lockport He also began to be mentored by all- for a short Christmas break. As motivation, Alando recalled all the times conference guard Kirk Penney, who had a his brother and him talked about how they legendary work ethic and study habits. It "I gave him my credit card and we went half- wanted to be different from the rest of the surprised nobody who knew Alando that he and-half and bought my younger brother and kids in Joliet and Lockport. made the Big Ten all-freshman team after sister Christmas gifts," said Antonio, who is a averaging 12 points and 5.9 rebounds. postal worker in the Joliet area. "My mom and grandmother don't have a lot of money. "Everybody was negative where we came And he's always trying to help out our mom. from so we wanted to be positive," he said. "He learned to gain respect by work," said Thompson. "He thought Kirk Penney helped She's going through a tough situation right "So I went to high school and changed my now. She doesn't make a lot of money and is whole demeanor. I went to class every day." him out a lot with making him ready to be a leader, how to not just think about himself. trying to raise two other kids." You could tell the upperclassmen appreciated Not only did he stop skipping school, how hard he wanted to work to be better." Alando wouldn't have it any other way. He Alando, who has always been smart, started thought back to the frustration he felt last to apply himself in the classroom with the * year after he suffered that season-ending same zeal as when he is on a breakaway for a injury and then put it in perspective with the slam dunk. He got As and Bs throughout high rest of his life. school. He continues to work hard this season as he tries to improve his jump shot while still "That's why I'm cherishing a lot of things that That thrilled Antonio, who graduated from frustrating opponents with his head fakes and quick first step. He has gained the respect of I have and cherish this opportunity I have high school and left home to enlist in the here," he said. Army as Alando started high school. his teammates as well as all the Wisconsin fans as the Badgers' new emotional leader in the post-Devin Harris era. "I think Alando matured basically overnight because he understood he had to be the man of the house, so to speak," said Antonio. "I keep telling him that he's more well known than anybody else on this team and maybe the state," said senior forward Mike Alando didn't just limit his studying to the Wilkinson. "It's just the way he talks, the way classroom. He also became a great student of he presents himself as a friendly type of the game of basketball. person, someone who is easily likeable."

He made the Lockport varsity team as a shy Or someone who is a wise old man. Alando freshman and listened to and watched his laughed when he mentioned how Nixon, his older teammates play. It was similar to when, teammate and good friend, gave him that "old as the little brother, he listened and watched 20-year-old" label. Antonio and his friends play. The biggest difference was he had a coach to listen to, too. "It comes from seeing a lot but staying positive and being raised right by my mother, grandmother and brother," he said. By the time he was a senior, Alando took "Everybody that was around me always what he learned to become an outgoing first- seemed to be positive." team All-State selection after averaging 22.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Nobody is prouder of Alando than Antonio, who said his little brother has kept a promise Tucker 'scores like a 7-footer' time he tried to catch the ball in the added Moore. "And it doesn't matter post. what he has to go through to do it." The Capital Times That's especially impressive when Scoring sometimes is the easy part of January 7, 2006 considering that the native of the job for Tucker, who has to work by Rob Schultz Lockport, Ill., has to stand on his hard just to create a lane for his tippy-toes to reach his listed height of teammates to pass him the ball. "You Alando Tucker beamed like a child 6-foot-6. But it's not a stretch to say he have to do different things to get guys who just aced his first math test when should be included with the best to move their bodies so you can he heard Steve Alford's compliment players in an improved Big Ten. create that lane," he said. from earlier this week. "It's a game of angles. It's not always Tucker is proud of the many welts, The Iowa men's basketball coach said about being strong and whatever," bruises and scrapes he receives while that the University of Wisconsin said Tucker. jousting in the post. He wears a junior forward "really understands protective mask because he sustained post." His ability to power through multiple a broken nose at Wake Forest while defenders comes from bench-pressing diving for a loose ball. What that means is Tucker can score, three times a week; Tucker, who or set up a score, from around the weighs 210 pounds, does top "If you don't get banged up you're not basket when he's surrounded by repetitions at 350 pounds. His really driving to the basket or playing bigger or smaller players, or even a "whatever" includes a lightning-quick in the post," he said. combination of bigger and smaller first step and a 38-inch vertical leap. players. He succeeds because he has But that doesn't mean he doesn't like the skills to recognize how a team is Yet there's more to it than physical sliding out to the perimeter to launch trying to stop him and how to beat it. skills, Tucker said. a few 3-pointers with that unique jump shot of his. When those shots Tucker nodded to show his approval "You still have to recognize where start falling, too - like when he of the kudos from Alford and then you are on the court," he noted. dropped in back-to-back 3s to seal promptly understated, "I'm starting to "There are a lot of things you have to Wisconsin's win over Iowa - he recognize a lot more things as of late." register at once and I think I've put it becomes a nightmare for anybody all together in a package." who has to guard him. He's been almost unstoppable over the past two games and hopes to Wisconsin coaches describe that Ask any coach and they'll tell you continue his hot streak Sunday when package as "having a great feel." there are precious few tougher the Badgers face seventh-ranked assignments in the college game than Michigan State in a nationally "He wants the contact, he looks for trying to defend Tucker even when televised Big Ten Conference game at the contact and he knows how to get his perimeter shots aren't falling. Or the Kohl Center. angles to score," said UW assistant just ask Iowa's , who Howard Moore. "You see how he fouled out in 27 minutes giving it the Even though Alford sometimes used uses the backboard and takes old college try Thursday night. 6-7 Greg Brunner, 6-8 Doug Thomas advantage of that. He does a great job and 7-foot Erek Hansen to help of knowing how to get his shot off As Tucker tries to lead the young defend the masked Badger on even though he's undersized and Badgers through a Big Ten season Thursday at the Kohl Center, Tucker often double-teamed and has 'bigs' chock full of matchups against still scored 27 points on 12-of-22 coming in trying to squeeze on him. talented teams and players, every shooting during the Badgers' 66-52 He scores like a 7-footer in there." move he makes is magnified. He victory. knows that coach Bo Ryan has Moore said Tucker can attack the tightened the leash in every aspect of That followed his 25-point outing basket with the ferocity of former the game because he is expecting so during a 73-64 loss at Pitt last Auburn and NBA standout Charles much from him. Saturday despite another tall, Barkley, who was one of the game's muscular defense that regularly all-time great undersized post scorers. And his status with his teammates double- and triple-teamed him every "He has that 'I will score' mentality," has grown even further this week because he played at a high level against Iowa despite spending most "My teammates saw where I was of his free time at the UW Hospital short-handed so they kept telling me tending to two young relatives, ages 3 to follow through," said Tucker, who and 4, who were burned in an also gets plenty of tips from apartment fire in Rockford, Ill. spectators who scream them out in frustration of his misses during "It's been a lot harder because games at the Kohl Center. expectations are high. But when you're a guy like me, you look He knows the key is to not think forward to challenges," Tucker said. about what he's doing. "I was focusing on how to shoot it, when to "I know what coach is trying to get release the ball and that really plays out of me when he's talking to me. I to a disadvantage for me," said know when he's on my case that I Tucker, who plans to focus only on shouldn't get down on myself. He's his follow-through from the line challenging me to do something and I Sunday. have to step up and do it, whether it's making a play or stepping up on the "It has to be natural," he said. "I'm defensive end." shooting regular jump shots and making everything else; I just have to Last year, Tucker enjoyed roaming step to the line with the same the perimeter more as Mike confidence and let it be natural and Wilkinson established a post presence let it flow." for the Badgers. Now that Ryan has challenged him to be the team's main aggressor in the post, he admits it's an assignment he cherishes.

"Coach always talks about getting to the line and drawing fouls on teams early," said Tucker, who averages 7.3 free throws per game, which ranks behind the Ohio State triumvirate of Terence Dials (9.6), Je'Kel Foster (8.6) and Ron Lewis (7.5), as well as Indiana's Marco Killingsworth (7.5), but compares favorably with Northwestern forward Vedran Vukusic (6.6), Michigan State guard (6.0), Spartans center Paul Davis (5.8), and Iowa's Brunner (5.1).

"That's one of the things I've really tried to stay focused on these last couple of games."

His next challenge is start making more free throws. He made just 1-of-5 free throws against Iowa and is shooting 52.6 percent from the line for the season. Tucker's resolve a guiding forward leads the Big Ten in scoring has also helped produce three force for Badgers at 20.9 points per game (league games straight wins for the Badgers. Getting only) and is one of the leading the UW to play winning basketball on candidates for conference player of a consistent basis is something Tucker Junior has no plans of leaving the year honors. has been focussed on all season. Madison early for NBA

Or why Tucker retooled his game to But finding a winning formula hasn't The Capital Times help lead the Badgers out of their always been easy. In fact, Tucker says

longest slump in four years and back he and the rest of the team didn't February 23, 2006 into contention for the Big Ten truly find their winning ways until by Rob Schultz regular-season title. After an eight- after the UW hit rock bottom during a

day break, the Badgers (18-7, 8-4 Big 70-62 loss at Purdue on Feb. 4, four It was hard to get a handle on what Ten) play at Northwestern (12-12, 4-8) games ago. Alando Tucker enjoyed the most tonight at Welsh-Ryan Arena in about his trip home to Lockport, Ill., Evanston, Ill. "I had to go back to things I do best last weekend. and that is to listen to myself, listen to

And finally, it explains why Tucker my instincts," said Tucker, who He was thrilled to attend his little will shut out any outside voices that scored 22 points against the brother Aaron's ninth-grade might try to convince him into Boilermakers but was criticized basketball game. But nothing beats making himself eligible for next privately by his coaches for not sitting down at the table for one of his June's NBA . He made it clear his getting his teammates involved grandmother Dorothy's famous big only focus is on playing for enough and for playing sub-par dinners. Wisconsin this year and next year, defense.

too. The rest of the time was wonderful, "I was putting too much pressure on too, as Tucker relaxed in front of the "People talk. But I'm enjoying myself myself so I sat down and thought TV and visited with other members of here," Tucker said. "Everything I'm about why I was doing that," he his close-knit family, including his going through I'm enjoying. I'm not added. "The main thing was finding a mom, a younger and older sister, an looking for anything but finishing way to get my teammates' confidence older brother and an uncle. this season off strong and coming back to the point where we needed it

back next year. That's all that's on my to be to be successful." "They're good at taking my mind off mind." basketball," said the Wisconsin men's Tucker said he found the answer by basketball team's junior forward. Tucker thanks his family for that, too. following the example he said UW "Going home, it always reminds me coach Bo Ryan and his staff set while of how great a family I have." "My family is not in the best financial the team was losing three straight

situation, but one thing my mother games. Not that Tucker needs any reminders. has always told me is to make He knows his high academic and decisions based on what I need," he "To see how they handled the basketball IQs, his incredible abilities said. "They never say anything about situation so positively made it even on the basketball court, his gregarious finances. All they say is, 'Enjoy your more clear to me what I had to do and nature that makes him so popular time.' They told me they're most how I had to be and where my with his teammates, classmates, happy when they see me happy and confidence had to be," he said. coaches and reporters who talk to enjoying myself." him all were developed through his When the Badgers needed him to get close relationships with members of Tucker is pretty happy these days inside and torch Indiana, Tucker his family. despite a sore left leg that kept him scored 29 points to lead a romp over

out of practice Tuesday but isn't the Hoosiers. When Tucker got in foul Add Tucker's resolve to the list, too. expected to keep him out of tonight's trouble and played just 22 minutes

game. against Penn State, he was the team's That explains how -- and why -- he most vocal cheerleader. When his can somehow split a triple-team and Not only is Tucker the toughest team needed him to come up big on get to the hoop for a score so often for player to stop in the Big Ten, but he the court again, he scored 27 points the Badgers that the powerful 6-foot-6 and grabbed 16 points in arguably his best game ever during the Badgers' "One thing I told Devin at the time thrilling win over Ohio State. was, 'Make sure you're ready. Make sure you're not forced into it,' " So, during the Badgers' three-game Tucker said. "I think it got to the point winning streak, Tucker averaged 21.7 where he was forced. I wanted him to points, 10 rebounds, 50 fist-pumps sit down and make the best decision and 75 attaboys per game. He also for himself. I'm big on making my made 53.2 percent of his shots from own decisions and being where I the floor and 66.7 percent of his free need to be. I don't like to be throws. That latter mark is pressured. I want to be 100 percent particularly impressive considering comfortable with whatever decision he made just 27.3 percent of his free that I make." throws through his first four Big Ten games. Nothing can beat Tucker's resolve. That explains why he chose to It showed the lengths Tucker will go commit to play for the Badgers after to improve any part of his game that one unofficial visit to the campus and he feels is weak. Someday soon he no official visits anywhere. And why expects to prove that his jump shot is he made the decision to be a better better than the percentage he has put teammate as the Badgers started their up from 3-point range this season most critical stretch of the season. (24.6). "When I know something's right, Tucker knows the fact that he won't nothing will change my mind," said try to prove it in a pro league Tucker. "Like right now, I know they somewhere next season will thrill his need me more than ever to do the fellow UW students and fans of the things I'm doing now to help us be basketball program. successful. That's driving and finding open guys and making the big plays." "Most of the time they say, 'We're going to see you back here next year,' Tucker shrugged off the news that he " said Tucker, who added that he is the Big Ten's reigning player of the hopes to graduate with a degree in week for helping the Badgers beat communications, perhaps as soon as Ohio State. "I just want to worry next December. about what it will take for us to be successful," he said. "Nothing else." "They don't ask me, they pretty much give me offers I can't refuse," he His family taught him that and it was continued. "They're telling me I'm reinforced during his time home last coming back next year. I just laugh weekend when he spent almost no and try to be as positive as I can be time thinking about basketball. "I with them. It's only natural that it made the most out of the time I was comes up because people talk and there," he said with a smile. throw things out there. But the kind of person I am I never let it bother me."

Tucker admitted he also learned from watching former teammate Devin Harris struggle with his decision to go pro after his junior season at Wisconsin. No longer playing solo suits Tucker

TOM OATES, Wisconsin State Journal October 19, 2006

Every day at practice, Alando Tucker sees the depth, experience and talent of the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team.

"We have a lot of depth in the guard position and, as far as the power forwards and centers, we can rotate so many different guys," Tucker, UW's senior small forward, said Wednesday. "This is one of the most talented groups I've played with."

That's great for the Badgers, but the convergence of talent - some new, some returning, some back from ineligibility - that has given coach Bo Ryan potentially his best team at UW could end up costing Tucker a few points of his Big Ten Conference-best scoring average.

Last season, especially when UW was forced to play short-handed for the final 15 games, Tucker often had to carry the scoring burden alone. If he didn't score, UW didn't score.

As a result, Tucker carried a league-leading 20-point average in Big Ten games and impressed everyone with his tenacity and versatility. But with so many more quality scorers surrounding him now, Tucker - likely Big Ten preseason player of the year, potential NBA draft pick - probably won't get as many shots as he did last season.

Of course, most players in Tucker's shoes are looking for more shots, not less, in their final season. Not Tucker. He sees his improved supporting cast as a plus.

"It will take a lot more pressure off me because I had to score at times last year (over) two or three defenders," he said. "I think it will ... probably make it easier for me."

He's not just saying that, either. Tucker is a bright person who knows perfectly well what is at stake for him this season, but he's not worried about points.

"That's never an issue with me," he said. "Every time I step on the court, I try to get a win. No matter how I can do it."

As for the NBA scouts, Tucker knows it takes more than gaudy numbers to impress them.

"If they look at some of the games, they know I can score," Tucker said. "So it's all about the other things I'm doing on the court and if I'm leading my team to wins. That's what the NBA is looking for, guys that are leaders and that are going to win. That's all I really worry about."

No one is more convinced of that than Ryan, whose toughest job this season may be allocating minutes with so many deserving players. Ryan said Tucker will get his points, just as Kirk Penney, Devin Harris and Mike Wilkinson did before him, without having to go solo.

"He just wants to win," Ryan said. "Seriously. I mean, there is no question about that. He knows there are people that have made it at the next level with 16 (points per game), good rebounding, good passing, good defense. If he's better defensively, he's got a better chance of playing longer after college. He knows it's not just the numbers on the points side, it's how many stops does he get, how many blockouts, how many rebounds.

"When people are looking at you, if they see an athlete who does a lot of little things well, you always make yourself more valuable. I don't think he worries about anything other than trying to get better in every area."

That's why Tucker, and UW, will be very good this season. UW men's basketball: Popular "If I had a vote, I would have voted pick is Tucker for him. I'm not surprised at it and I It's a level some think the Badgers - think it's very well-deserving. He's who return four starters from last JESSE OSBORNE 608-252-6176 been a very tough matchup problem season's 19-12 team and were ranked October 29, 2006 for us. I think he's been that way for ninth in the USA Today/ESPN poll - most teams. He's inside, he's outside. are on par with. CHICAGO - A marquee attraction at ... he's a warrior." last year's Big Ten Conference men's "They've got everybody back, and I basketball media day Alando Tucker The 6-foot-6 Tucker was a consensus think they're going to be a hard out was not. first-team All-Big Ten pick by the for any of us. They're a legit top-10 coaches and media last season after team in the country," Iowa coach "Definitely not," the University of averaging 19 points and 5.7 rebounds Steve Alford said of UW. "That's, I Wisconsin senior forward joked. "I per game. In addition, Tucker led the think, the premiere team in our was sitting in the corner by myself Big Ten in scoring in league games league as we are right around flipping cards." (20 ppg), becoming the first UW Halloween. If you think about the Big player to do so since in Ten right now, I think you've got to Although Tucker was a preseason 1949 and '50. think about them." All-Big Ten pick last year, he went mostly undisturbed while stationed at "He got my vote last year as player of a table in the front corner of a the year, but it didn't work out," UW ballroom at the Marriott O'Hare, senior guard Kammron Taylor said. "I outside of occasional drop-ins by feel like this year he has something to reporters who cover the Badgers . prove. I think he's worked hard and he's deserving of that honor." Sunday, though, Tucker found himself one table removed from the Tucker was joined on the preseason corner - UW coach Bo Ryan received All-Big Ten team by Indiana junior that seating assignment this time - forward D.J. White, Penn State junior and several times found the other swingman Geary Claxton, Iowa nine surrounding seats filled by senior guard Adam Haluska and reporters as Tucker, in turn, filled Ohio State freshman center Greg their notebooks and recorders during Oden. the 3-hour event. The defending conference champion Everyone wants to hear what the Big Buckeyes, who were ranked fourth in Ten preseason player of the year has the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll to say. released Friday, were the preseason pick to win the conference title, "It's an honor just being in this followed by UW and Illinois. position," said Tucker, the first UW player since Devin Harris in 2003 to "It really is humbling," Buckeyes be chosen as preseason player of the coach said. "We talked year. "It's just great to be in this coming into Ohio State, we were position, and Wisconsin is starting to looking at a four-year, maybe five- get recognized as being an elite year turnaround. What those guys program in the nation." did last year, I will always be indebted. Not only to that team, but Tucker, meanwhile, has been firmly the team before that, that got us 20 entrenched as an elite player in the wins. conference for some time. "Now, I think that the new guys come "He's one of my favorite players," in and the standard is at a certain Michigan coach said. level." Tucker's goal Be great as a man, not just as a player

By Matt Trowbridge ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR, Nov. 8, 2006

The Preseason Player of the Year in the Big Ten is the man of the “He’s a great leader,” guard Kammron Taylor said. “He stays year at Wisconsin. involved in the community, even taking a trip to the hospital to visit sick kids and cheer them up. Even if you are a stranger, Alando Tucker averaged 20.0 points in conference play as a Alando is always willing to help you.” junior to become the first Badger to lead the Big Ten in scoring in 56 years. But the senior forward hopes to make an even bigger He showed that at the team’s preseason steak fry. A man impact off the court. He wants to build a community center in his collapsed, and Tucker raced to his aid and helped the man to the hometown of Lockport, Ill. trainer’s room.

“Where I come from, I’m looked at highly,” said Tucker, who “Those were very tough circumstances, and Alando didn’t joins foward as one of two flinch,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. Badgers to score more than 1,500 points before their senior season. “I’m one of the most successful people who came out of He also came through at Wisconsin’s donor luncheon for patrons my area, and I want to give back. who sponsor UW scholarships. Ryan advised him to start on the left side of the audience, look across, and then go to the right and “It’s a poor community. I’m trying to help kids, give them a goal back to the center before he spoke. and educate them on the importance of school. If I ever get a chance, I’m going to build a community center in my “Alando, that’s like shaking hands with the audience with your neighborhood.” eyes,” Ryan said.

If Tucker doesn’t build from scratch, he hopes to expand the Tucker had other ideas. Fairmont Community Center. “Coach Ryan tried to give me some tips for talking,” Tucker said “I learned to shoot my first basket there,” he said. “I want to in his opening statement. He then turned to look Ryan in the eyes. expand it into an academic facility. The whole concept of academics has been lost in my community. I want to re-teach that “Coach, I’m a communications major,” he said. to kids. “The place,” Ryan recalled, “just broke up. I should have known; “Kids and parents in both cities, Lockport and Joliet, look up to he burned me in front of everyone in the room.” me right now. I go back and talk to schools in my community. I tell them I happened to be a student first; I grasped that concept But he did it with a smile. And he made everyone happy. early in high school. I use my basketball success to further my point; I got here through academics.” That’s what Alando Tucker does, every bit as well as he shoots a basketball. Tucker leads the Badgers, picked No. 9 in the nation in the ESPN/USA TODAY preseason poll, both on and off the court. “I feel as if I am his agent or his promoter,” Ryan said, “but I don’t have to be. All you have to do is spend time with him. Or “Everybody knows how good of a basketball player he is,” center talk to the guys who have been around him. He’s for real. Brian Butch said, “but his teammates see how he leads. He’s a vocal leader who also leads by example. And he does a lot of “It doesn’t get any better than having a guy like him as your community stuff.” leader. He can do whatever he wants. Really. If you get people to believe in what you are saying, you can do anything. Alando will Tucker is on the student athletic association council, which deals always be successful. People trust him.” with athletes’ problems on campus, and is the Badger most likely to be booked for any speaking engagement, whether it’s at a That’s all part of being a great man. It’s also part of being a great church, school or team banquet. And he represented UW at a player. university function in Orlando, Fla. “My team watches me,” Tucker said. “They recognize the things “I’ve always been interested in the whole aura of college,” I’m doing off the court. I’ve built a respect I can carry onto the Tucker said. “I want to be involved off the court. I want people to court.” recognize me for being a great man, not just a great basketball player.”

Tucker at ease in badgering teammates Senior the main leader on and off the floor By Brett Christopherson, Appleton Post-Crescent November 11, 2006

MADISON – There’s no denying the Big Ten’s “And we go out and do a lot of different events off preseason player of the year has plenty of game. the court as a group and as a team to get that team bonding down, and it releases their mind off of It turns out University of Wisconsin senior forward some of the pressures that they were going through. Alando Tucker can talk a good one, as well. Movies. Those are the little key things that you do to take some of the pressure off the guys like that.” “He definitely knows how to lead, and that’s one of the biggest things about being a leader is knowing According to UW coach Bo Ryan, the reason Tucker how to lead,” junior center/forward and former is so respected by his peers is because he leads by Appleton West standout Brian Butch said. “He example. knows when to speak and knows when to show with his play.” Last year, he continued to play on despite suffering a broken nose which forced him to wear a protective While the ninth-ranked Badgers venture into mask and made it difficult for him to even breathe today’s season-opener against Mercer at the Kohl at times. Center with four starters and five other letterwinners back in the lineup, there’s no Despite the health setback and constant defensive disputing this is Tucker’s team. attention, the acrobatic Tucker still managed to average a team-high 19 points and lead the Big Ten Whether he’s getting on his teammates to hit the in scoring at 20 points per conference game en books, hit the weights or hit the court, Tucker has route to earning first team all-conference honors. embraced his role as the vocal veteran all look towards for guidance. “It’s just like you’re battling two opponents,” said Tucker, who underwent nasal surgery in the “It’s one of those things that is just a part of my offseason to correct the effects of the injury. “For character,” the 6-foot-6 Tucker said. “If I see a guy half of the season, I had to wear the mask, and it down, and I know it’s affected him, it’s just was definitely uncomfortable for me. And not being naturally that I will do something like that. Just try able to breathe, it’s like I’m going out there and I to take them and coach them through times like have two strikes against me already. that. “It was tough, but I’m one never to make excuses. I “Beyond basketball, we’re all humans. We go just wanted to battle through it.” through things that’s going to knock you down and bring you down, and everybody has emotional Which is the same type of mentality he has been droughts where they’re going to be down on using in attacking his skills. themselves. And I try to be the guy that keeps everyone up.” One of just two players in UW history with at least 1,500 career points, Tucker has been relentless in It’s that kind of attitude and leadership that has trying to better all facets of his game – a trait Ryan been a boost for guys like junior center Greg said has set a tone others can’t help but follow. Stiemsma and sophomore forward Marcus Landry, both of whom were ruled academically ineligible to “The best part about Alando?” Ryan said. “When I play during the second semester of last season. say he knows (about what he needs to work on), he knows that he’s doing something about it. I just For the 6-11 Stiemsma, last year’s problems were expect him to keep trying to do something about it. further complicated with bouts of depression, so If he does, you don’t think the other eyes aren’t on Tucker has made it a point to be there if needed. him? That certainly has never hurt a program.”

“I took Greg and Marcus under my wing,” Tucker said. “Marcus is my roommate now, so he has to hear me all the time. Greg calls me every moment of the day because I told him I’ll be that person where if you need anything to talk about, call me. And he’s done it. UW men's basketball: Fun- alone in a corner, she talked to them Makings of a leader incessantly during timeouts. loving Tucker molded by tough times On the court, Tucker is arguably the best "She talked for what seemed like hours," said finisher in the college game; an athletic, Tucker as he rolled his eyes. "I would get lost Badgers forward determined to make strong, fun-loving and intelligent 6-foot-6 in everything she was talking about, but she'd his mark off the court, too scoring machine averaging 20.2 points per always sum her story up by saying, 'Never game for the seventh-ranked Badgers, who follow, always be a leader.' That always stuck take on Florida State Tuesday night in an in my head." The Capital Times ACC/Big Ten Challenge game at the Kohl Center. A second experience occurred when Tucker's By Rob Schultz older brother, Antonio, left home to join the November 27, 2006 Marcus Landry, his teammate and roommate, Army just as Alando was starting high school. affectionately calls him "Tarzan" because of Since their mother was a single mom, Antonio Among the many accomplishments Alando Tucker's outstanding strength and jumping told Tucker he was the man of the house and it Tucker can list during his years at the ability that allows him to seemingly leap from was his responsibility to take care of his older University of Wisconsin, perhaps the most rim to rim. sister, Alisha, who is mentally challenged; his revealing was an outstanding paper he wrote younger brother Aaron; and younger sister for a class about what he wants to do with his "It's so much fun to be out on the court with Alivia. life after his basketball career is over. Tuck. He's so happy that he sings to himself out there," said Wisconsin sophomore guard "I had to be the role model for my younger All the hours spent researching and writing Joe Krabbenhoft, who hears Tucker singing brother and sister," Tucker said. "So I couldn't that paper helped the senior forward phrases from different songs at various points skip school or not perform well in school." experience an epiphany. of games. Another experience occurred when Tucker "I did a bunch of research on "He just takes full advantage of playing the was a senior at Lockport High School. Every and Kevin Johnson, guys who do so much for game he loves," Krabbenhoft added. "He has player on the basketball team was supposed to their community and where they came from so much fun with it. He plays the game the sell 20 tickets as part of a fund-raiser. Tucker and how they handled it and how they right way and I love watching him." procrastinated and didn't attempt to sell any of attacked it," Tucker said excitedly, referring to them until the day before the deadline. the former NBA stars. "I looked at the Off the court, Tucker has developed into a methods they used and the journeys they dynamic leader with his teammates and In a state of panic, Tucker started knocking on took." schoolmates and, most importantly, with his doors in Lockport neighborhoods into which family and friends back in Lockport. He leads he rarely ventured. They were populated He took it one step further and studied Magic like he plays ball: He's strong and fearless; a mostly by white, middle-class families. To his Johnson's leadership skills, particularly after non-stop talker with positive, in-your-face surprise, he sold all his tickets quickly because Johnson learned he was HIV-positive. "He energy who sees every negative situation as an most everybody was excited to buy them from still kept that positive attitude he always had. opportunity to create something special. the star of the high school's basketball team. You can't ask for anything else from a person," said Tucker, who is majoring in "It's that vision that you keep hearing me "I didn't realize that I was known there and communication. "I look at that and think, referring to all the time," said Wisconsin that I was known in the Hispanic community, 'That's how I can be.' " coach Bo Ryan, who has stated many times too. It was an eye-opener. I only thought I was that Tucker is the best leader he has ever known in my neighborhood," said Tucker. "To Tucker, who wants to build community coached. "He has a vision of a better future go into a white community and knock on a centers in low-income neighborhoods with and he's the one who knows he can have an door and have somebody open the door and money he hopes to make playing basketball impact on it." say, 'Hey, Alando!' - and these were older, professionally, concluded in his paper that white couples - I was like, 'Wow.' " everything a person goes through shapes them Ryan believes Tucker is the most requested in a certain way. young man in the Madison area by hospitals, Tucker called it a turning point in his life. "It charities, youth groups and others to either shaped everything I think about now as far as "Looking back at my life," he said, "I wouldn't visit or give talks. helping the community," he said. "I found out change any route that I've taken or change an I could use basketball for something other experience I've come across growing up." "He doesn't even know about half the than shooting a ball into a basket." requests," Ryan added, "because we have to That's a bold statement considering Tucker screen them." This past June, Tucker was reminded there are endured many pot-holed routes and dangerous other athletes with those same ideals. He was experiences while growing up in the Illinois Several experiences shaped Tucker's selected as the UW's representative at the cities of Joliet and Lockport. But nobody leadership skills. One occurred when his annual NCAA Leadership Conference in would argue that they helped mold a rising young mother, Lisa, sat him down for long Orlando, a five-day event that brings together star in basketball and a growing leader who timeouts when he was a rambunctious child. athletes from around the country to discuss would make Magic Johnson and Kevin Instead of spanking her kids or leaving them issues that affect them on campus and in the Johnson very proud. community. "That keeps me motivated," said the younger "It was like a movie. But being young, I hadn't "I made so many friendships there," said Tucker. seen anything else so I just thought it was part Tucker. of life," he said. Scary times in Joliet Abi Tairu, a senior guard on the Central For years, Tucker never wore blue clothes Connecticut State University women's Alando also was motivated from watching his with black clothes or red clothes with black basketball team, became friends with Tucker mother and grandmother raise five children in clothes. If he did, he probably wouldn't have during the conference. one of the toughest environments imaginable. survived the day. Money has been an issue since Lisa Tucker "He was very inspirational," Tairu said after a gave birth to Antonio when she 14. Alando "Blue and black was considered the Gangsters recent game at the Kohl Center, where her was her third child and she had him when she and red and black was considered the Vice Blue Devils played the Badgers. "He really was 19. For the past 10-plus years, she has Lords," Tucker explained. "Their knew how to communicate with people he worked as a housekeeper for Our Lady of neighborhoods weren't that far apart from each didn't know and he was very friendly." Angels Retirement Home in Joliet. other. They'd wear those colors to signify which gang they were in." The brothers' pledge Until Tucker was 14, his family lived in Joliet at the intersection of 2nd and Richards, which, Through it all, Lisa Tucker was a strict mother Tucker grew up believing he had to find a way at the time, was the epicenter of one of the and made sure none of her children strayed to to give back to his community. That was often most dangerous neighborhoods on the east the gangs. She got tremendous help from her the topic of discussion during the frequent side of town. "Most of my memories of that mother, Dorothy Tucker. One of their greatest late-night gabfests he had with his well-read place are bad. Negative times," he said, days together was when they moved the older brother, Antonio, who challenged shaking his head. family to a safer neighborhood in Lockport. himself by studying the Bible as well as the Trojan War and the Koran. Tucker remembers his mom walking into the The move coincided with Tucker's rise as a living room with his sister in her arms just as a basketball player. One of the reasons why he Instead of talking basketball, the teen-age stray bullet hit their front door and dropped at is so interested in building community centers boys would sit in their beds and talk about life his mom's feet. "They said when the bullet hit is that he honed his basketball skills at one. He and how they should behave. They made a the door it slowed the velocity of the bullet remembers a basketball court as one of the pact to never get a tattoo, never have a drink down," Tucker said. "That was in God's only places where he felt safe, where he could and never smoke anything. hands." forget about everything that scared him, where he could turn negative thoughts into positive "And we've lived up to them," Tucker said That frightening moment occurred shortly ones. proudly. "I've never broken them." after a man jumped through their first-floor front window to escape gang members who The same could be said for the UW and Although Antonio admitted to his little brother were shooting at him. As the glass shattered, Madison, which almost feels like Fantasyland that he had alcohol when he was in the Army, Tucker screamed outside, "Don't shoot to him. "A lot of times I go back home just to Alando said he has never had a taste of anymore!" and then shoved his younger re-open my eyes and stay focused," Tucker alcohol in his life. brother and sister under a bed. said. "I go back and see the situation my mother's still in, my brother and sister are still "We won a Big Ten championship my As his family ducked for cover, Tucker recalls in, and it makes me work harder." freshman year and I was the only one drinking hearing one of the gang members yelling, Sprite," Tucker said. "Everybody said I had to "Don't shoot. That's where the little hoopers Mother Knows Best sip something. Other times people want to buy live." me a shot. I just say no." The Tucker family lives in a modest, three- Hundreds of gang members filled the streets bedroom home on a narrow street in a The Tucker brothers still have long talks, but of Tucker's neighborhood at night. They'd be Lockport neighborhood that's a five-minute now the focus is on hard work and sacrifice to drinking and firing their guns at each other. drive from Joliet. At the end of the driveway, reach their dreams of helping others. Alando is "There were people getting killed and we were a bent basketball hoop dangles from a garage the hardest working Badger during games, right in the middle of it," he said. wall; it has obviously been worn out by the practice and in the weight room. Even when hundreds of 3-on-3 games Tucker has played he's not supposed to play basketball, he'll walk One day, Tucker and his older brother and there with friends who showed up from all over to the gym and work on his shot. sister were standing on the sidewalk near their over the neighborhood. house when a young Hispanic stopped his car But he feels he's still trailing Antonio, 26, who at the intersection right in front of them and Inside, Lisa Tucker, 41, has graced just about took night classes at Joliet Community flashed a sign of a rival Hispanic gang. every inch of a hallway and living room walls College, was a postman during the day and got with pictures of her five children and two up at 6 every morning to lift weights. On "Another guy walked up to the Hispanic's car grandchildren. It's a beautiful sight. Wednesday, he will accomplish the goal of and we watched him shoot his brains out," becoming a policeman at a ceremony in said Tucker, who remembers watching the car "There was a lot I didn't accomplish in life. Bolingbrook, Ill. getting towed with the dead man still in it. That's why I'm so hard on my children and want for them to succeed and go on with their education. That's something I didn't do. What they do makes me proud," said Lisa Tucker, who never finished high school. "At the time he didn't know if he was going to When Tucker was in high school, Bennett - a be another 6-4 guy who can play basketball or former UW assistant who is the rookie head "But I took care of my kids," she added with if he was going to be special. So he did the coach at Washington State this year - told him pride. "I tried to do what I could. We went things to become special," said Thompson. "A he could go as far as he wanted in the game of through a lot of trials and tribulations. We're lot of guys look like him. A lot of guys are basketball. still going through it. But we tried to keep built like him. But a lot of guys don't have his love. If you've got love, hey, that's what it heart, drive and dedication." "What made it special was that I could really takes. So even though we'd go through bad hear the genuineness in his voice. I could tell times, we'd always try to laugh and keep At about the same time Tucker was forging a it was coming from his heart," said Tucker, things going." relationship with his father, Forrest Harris. who drove to Milwaukee a few weeks ago to Tucker grew up thinking his family situation watch Washington State defeat UW- She also practices what she preaches. was like that of just about everybody else he Milwaukee in Bennett's coaching debut. Lockport basketball coach Larry Thompson knew: That his dad abandoned his family. remembers driving by the home of a Ryan, meanwhile, has taught Tucker about the handicapped person recently and seeing Lisa But Tucker's dad, who lived in Chicago at the game he loves as well as life. "He shapes so Tucker and Aaron Tucker cutting the lawn and time, had wanted to marry Lisa before they many lives the right way by the way he leads," raking the leaves for him. "That's just the eventually drifted apart. He never missed Tucker said. Tucker way," said Thompson. "Make no writing a child-support check and wanted a excuses, don't make it about you, just do it." relationship with his son. He patiently waited Said Ryan: "Alando makes the teaching until Alando finally let him in his life. "It took profession more enjoyable when, as a student, Tucker said his family often talks about the me maturing and understanding life and that he's setting the bar." Bible's story of Job and how he was stripped everything is not right and nobody is perfect," of everything he owned and still kept his faith. Tucker said. Perhaps the biggest reason why Tucker wants "No matter the situation we're in, my mother to make it as a professional basketball player always told me to think about the kids in Once he started building a relationship with is because he wants to buy his mother a house Africa who had flies flying around their head, his dad, who was a basketball star in his own and give her gifts she has never had. Somalian kids who don't have a house over right at Joliet Central High School, Tucker their head," said Tucker, who was offering one realized he was lucky. "I had something my "That's the dream," he said. "Before I go to of the reasons why he has always had a smile older brother and sister never had," he said. bed I think of things like that, like being able on his face. "She'd say we were rich compared "My older brother has never seen his dad. It to see my mom move out of her situation." to them. Those are the things I always think helped me to know I had that support." about, that as long we're breathing, we're not It's the ultimate way to turn a negative into a in a tough situation." The dream of giving back positive.

Lisa Tucker was never more strict than when It's been awhile since Antonio and Alando "Just to know that if I'm ever financially able Alando was in high school. Dorothy Tucker Tucker have had one of their heart-to-heart to get my mother in a better situation, my laughed as she told the story of what happened talks. One reason is they are so busy with their brother and sisters and my grandmother, too, I whenever her daughter would find out Alando lives. But that doesn't mean they aren't proud think it will be the best time of my life," was at a party. They'd always hop in the car, of one another and won't listen to one another Tucker said. go to the party and drag Alando away from it. soon. "I told her I want to go home and tell my mom "He would tell his friends, 'I've got to go "We talk some basketball but we still talk a lot she can quit her job. I want her to live because I have to get my mom her medicine about life, where we've come from as kids and comfortably. She is still sacrificing a lot for and stuff' so he wouldn't be embarrassed by us where we are now. We want to do so much my brother and sister. I want to set her free going and getting him," said a chuckling outside of basketball," said Antonio Tucker, from all the stress and agony and pain she has Dorothy. who smiles every time he hears little brother had." talking about opening community centers if he Added Tucker: "I'd see a car pull up and I'd makes it to the pros. see my mom's head pop up or my grandma's head pop up and I was like, 'Oh man. Bad "Me hearing that, my mouth is open, because news. My reputation is done in the city.' " there are so many people who, when they talk about fame and fortune, they want to get the A father's support car and the big house and all that," Antonio Tucker said. "He's talking about giving it back In truth, his reputation as a basketball player to the community." was growing quickly. He made Lockport's varsity as a freshman, which was unheard of at Alando Tucker also wants to make it to the the time. By the time he was a sophomore, next level as a thank-you to all the coaches word was out about the athletic young jumper who have helped him, like Lockport's from Lockport. As a junior, his work ethic Thompson and Terry Green and, at the college was already legendary. level, Tony Bennett and Ryan. A genuine leader

Few are worthy of the label, but Wisconsin senior Alando Tucker is the real deal

Skip Myslenski, Chicago Tribune December 9, 2006

MADISON, Wis. -- There is no overestimating the value of a leader. That term now is tossed around lightly, a label hung on He is thinking back now to his early days in gang-infected Joliet, many who don't deserve that respect, an appellation applied when where he cared for his younger siblings, and to his later days at there is no proof it is deserved. Lockport High School, where he played on the varsity as a freshman and was a captain as a sophomore. But when a real leader appears and comes to symbolize a team, that person's worth is boundless. "I think that shaped it," he says. "It prepared me for situations like this." Any coach will tell you that, and many of them will also tell you that this type of player is now harder to find. It prepared him to be not only the Badgers' leading scorer and most dynamic performer; it also prepared him to be their This age's predisposition for individual acclaim is one reason, as counselor and hardest worker, their den mother and most ardent is an aversion to maintaining a strong work ethic, an competitor, their tutor and most fearless competitor. unwillingness to confront errant teammates and a reluctance to take charge when the pressure is greatest. "There have been times when you're so intense in the game, it comes to the point I might have said one time, `I'll win this game That's why there is no overestimating the value of Alando if I have to by myself,'" he says. Tucker, the senior forward who will lead Wisconsin into Milwaukee's Bradley Center on Saturday for its annual slugfest But that part of him has long been there. ("He always says he felt with bitter rival Marquette. he had something to prove," Ryan says.) Where he has transformed himself into the most valuable kind of leader is away Tucker is one of the few around who deserves to be called a from the court, where his functions are endless. He organizes the leader, one of the shrinking few not enamored with personal Badgers' movie nights. He bonds with every teammate. He even glory and willing to embrace those onerous tasks so many now explains Ryan's rants to unsuspecting freshmen. shirk. "Coaches can be very hard on players, and younger players "Whew! Where do I start?" Badgers guard Kammron Taylor says maybe do not understand the cause and effect yet," Ryan when asked to describe the leadership skills of his teammate. "He explains. "But if they have a little positive peer pressure coming, brings it every night. One thing I like about Tuck, he brings it `Hey, Coach is a wild Irishman, he gets a little crazy at times, but every night no matter if he got hurt the game before, no matter if what did he say? You have to rotate. You have to out.' If he got hurt during the game. you have that voice, it always helps coaches."

"He's not going to stop bringing that intensity, and the team feeds Tucker saw a tape of Magic Johnson talking about the importance off his energy. A team needs a leader like that. It's good to have a of these off-court roles. That's one reason he took them on this player like that around you because you can learn from that. If season and why he is now that rare--and special--brand of leader. he's doing it, who are we not to? He's our best player, he's busting But a part of him, too, a big part, are those lessons he picked up his butt, we have to do the same thing." as a kid watching , whose work habits, among many other things, were legendary. Coach Bo Ryan appreciates Tucker's approach. "He's one of the guys I really followed, seeing everything he did "Anything that happens, he'll try to make a positive out of it," as a leader," Tucker says. Ryan says. "I tend to point out with constructive criticism, `We have to do this better.' With Alando it's always, `OK. And we "To be a leader, you have to first show that you're going to put will.' He buys in. He's always ready to do something on the plus forth the work. I know a lot of guys who can talk the talk. But side rather than obsess, get down. He's very proactive. `OK. can you walk the walk? That's one of the things I've always What's next?' He doesn't mind being the guy out front carrying wanted to do. I wanted to walk the walk first. Then you can talk. the banner." "Then people will follow you. Then they'll listen to you. Then Tucker accepts his role willingly. they know, like, he's not a hypocrite."

"That's always been asked of me through life," he says. Surgery a breath of fresh air for Wisconsin star Tucker By Marlen Garcia, USA TODAY 12/14/2006

There were times last season when Wisconsin's Alando Tucker "Just watch him in tough situations, just watch his demeanor," could barely catch his breath. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan says. "He's just such a positive guy but not carefree." Doctors warned him he would struggle when he declined to have surgery immediately to repair his septum after he broke his nose Tucker, in his fifth year because of a medical redshirt in 2003-04, against Wake Forest in his fifth game. is resolute in his determination to win, but he doesn't come across as condescending to teammates. "These guys respect me so Tucker, who missed almost the entire 2003-04 season because of much, and I respect them," Tucker says. a foot injury and wasn't about to risk missing another, told his doctors he would wait until after the season. To this day, he remains accessible to current players at his high school in his hometown of Lockport, Ill., a far southwest suburb Tucker didn't know just how bad it would be. of Chicago. He's just a phone call away, he tells them. "He was willing to learn when he was here," Lockport High Unable to breathe normally through his nose, Tucker had to rely coach Larry Thompson says. "He's been passing along what he heavily on breathing through his mouth. learned to younger athletes."

"At the time I thought I could deal with it," the senior forward Bruce Durham, a senior point guard at Lockport High, has been recalls. "It was a lot tougher than I thought. Some days I could mentored by Tucker and says Tucker always seems to find the breathe really well. Other times I felt horrible." right words and time to guide him. "He tells me what I have to do to be successful," Durham says. "He just knows how to talk to Some nights he slept just three or four hours because he had players." coughing fits, sore throats and headaches. Basketball games were a chore. Tucker says he mentors people of all ages. Now and again, someone from his neighborhood or someone who got to know "I'd get so tired, especially early in games," he says. "I'd be him when he lived in neighboring Joliet, Ill., will call for advice. exhausted." "I don't see it as a responsibility," Tucker says. "I love trying to help someone out of a bad situation." Tucker, playing with a protective mask, still managed to average 19 points. He was a consensus first-team all-Big Ten pick and is He will need a strong will to have a shot at succeeding in the favored to win player of the year honors this season. Last spring, NBA. He is listed at 6-6, and there are questions whether he can he finally had surgery to repair his nose. play shooting guard in the NBA or make it at small forward. Either way, he needs to keep working on his shooting from the He says he feels like a new man. He can back up the statement perimeter, as well as his percentage, which is down to with a 20.2-point average (first in the Big Ten) after scoring 20 in 66.7%. Wednesday's 68-49 win against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tucker, who had 28 points last weekend against Marquette, and his "He's a monster player collegiately, but that doesn't always teammates will be tested again Saturday when seventh-ranked translate," says ESPN analyst Rick Majerus, a former coach at Wisconsin hosts No. 2 Pittsburgh. Utah, Ball State and Marquette.

"This is the best I have ever felt," Tucker, 22, says. "I play "But there's always room for a guy with a big heart. He's the kind energized." of guy who will come in early and stay late."

In a way, the injury was a blessing in disguise. Tucker says he Ryan says, at least for now, being a great college player is often had problems with his breathing long before the injury, enough for Tucker. dating to his high school days. He had attributed his difficulty to a sinus problem. "That's a great compliment," Ryan says. "Take that and run with it. He's not worried about (the NBA). He's just trying to help his He says he rarely took medicine but would breathe through his team win. That's what's so refreshing about coaching a guy like mouth. He says his doctor told him he probably already had a Alando Tucker. He's playing for Wisconsin. That's all he knows." deviated septum, a potential underlying cause of his fatigue. That's all behind him now, evidenced by his first step when he attacks the basket. There's no question his fellow Badgers look to him in critical situations.

Wisconsin's Tucker is in a class by himself

Mike DeCourcy, SportingNews.com December 16, 2006

Last year, I wrote on Dec. 10 that your player-of-the-year race was down to two candidates: Duke's J.J. Redick and Gonzaga's Adam Morrison. Many people were bothered I would make such a call so early -- especially fans of Villanova's Randy Foye -- but in a year in which I suggested during the preseason that Michigan State would become NCAA champion, it was good to get one prediction right.

This time, I waited a little longer. I can be patient. And I'm not going to suggest there are only two candidates for the award this year. There are two classes, however. There is Wisconsin's Alando Tucker, and there is everyone else.

Tucker, a 6-6 small forward, is not so far ahead of the field that he cannot be caught, but if he continues to play as he has in the past few weeks there might be no way anyone can catch him. Tucker has elevated his team into being a national championship contender and elevated himself toward the NBA's first round.

I checked two draft web sites after watching Tucker make a mockery of Pittsburgh's defense in Saturday afternoon's first big game. Well, he's making a mockery of their draft projections, too. Neither had him in the first round, and the site that usually is more worthy of your respect barely had him getting drafted.

Hopefully, those fellows hopped on their computers as quickly as I did after the Pitt game and commenced fixing their error. Tucker is an NBA player and is making the exact same attack on the lottery as Foye and Washington's Brandon Roy did last season.

Tucker's one detriment regarding the draft is his age. A fifth-year senior, he'll be 23 in February. Big deal. There are plenty of years between Tucker and his NBA pension.

If you missed Tucker's brilliance the past two weeks, when he tore apart Marquette and then Pitt, you might not realize he is the most difficult matchup of any player in the country. He always has been trouble for opposing defenses because he can post up the small forwards that defend him, and he can beat the power forwards that defend him off the dribble.

Well, now he can beat small forward defenders off the dribble and consistently make shots from 3-point range. And he has improved his ability to finish plays from mid-range, going from a player who was murder on pull-up 15-footers to one who can keep his balance while executing acrobatic moves nearer to the goal.

Tucker smoked Pitt for 32 points. He got "only" 28 against Marquette in last week's big road win. He is averaging 21.2 points per game and shooting better than 52 percent from the field. He is hitting 34 percent of his 3-pointers -- this from a guy who never finished a full season as high as 32 percent.

There are other players who will be a factor in this race. LSU's isn't going backward. North Carolina's still is a force. There is time for Florida's to get back into it. You can't totally rule out freshmen such as Texas' and Ohio State's .

Right now, though, Tucker is alone on the lead lap.

Good luck trying to catch him.

UW men's basketball: Even Cain said he believes Tucker, who might scouts are taking notice because Gard be the strongest player, pound for pound, said he believes how Tucker plays to teammates, defending in the Big Ten Conference, hasn't added defense and handles the ball will be more Tucker is a chore any new moves but has improved the crucial to his NBA draft chances than ones he uses. "It's at a level where it's how many jump shots he can make. The Capital Times almost impossible to defend," he said. "He does a good job of putting himself in By Rob Schultz Tucker is the most difficult to defend the right position ahead of the play. So December 23, 2006 when he uses his 38-inch vertical leap to he's mentally better defensively in terms elevate in the paint with the ball and of what's going on around him," Gard Morris Cain has one of the most thankless literally shoots down at the hoop. "It's said. "His alertness defensively when he's jobs in . kind of like a floater shot. You don't have away from the ball has improved. time to catch up to him and chest up with Every time the University of Wisconsin him and jump with him," Cain explained. "He (stole) a lob that Pitt tried to throw in basketball team practices, Cain's job as a "I can't jump with Tuck. Who can? So Saturday to (Aaron) Gray. I don't know if member of the Badgers' scout team is to that's a great shot." a year ago he could have been cognizant defend the multi-dimensional Alando and alert enough to be able to rotate and Tucker, who is arguably the hardest But Tucker's quick first step with the ball get that. He understands team defense so player to guard in the college game. is his bread and butter. "It's so strong. much better than he did six to 18 months When he makes that first step you can't ago." "It's kind of like a pleasure in a way," said really bump him and try to gain ground," a smiling Cain, a 6-foot-5 walk-on Cain said. "Once he makes that first step Cain has noticed a change in Tucker's sophomore forward from Milwaukee. and you can't catch up, you're done." defense, too. Tucker likes to talk on the "You see somebody who is so great, who court and he'll make bold predictions that has so many moves. You're forced to UW coach Bo Ryan has been impressed only Cain will hear. "He'll tell me that I guard him and, at the same time, you with how Tucker has become a more won't score on him again," Cain said, learn from him." efficient player. "It might not look like it "and I won't score on him again." to some people, but he's stronger," Ryan So as the fourth-ranked Badgers (11-1) said. Jason Chappell and Tucker have been prepared for tonight's nonconference together for five years at Wisconsin and game with Pacific (3-8) at the Kohl UW assistant coach Greg Gard said Chappell said Tucker has always left him Center, Cain was the perfect choice to ask Tucker is so intent on leading the Badgers awestruck. Ryan has chastised Tucker's just what the 6-6, 205-pound senior by example that he has set the bar teammates at times for watching Tucker forward has done over the past few weeks extremely high regarding what he expects too much instead of making hard cuts to elevate his game so he could dominate from himself. when he has the ball. But Chappell said during the Badgers' nationally televised it's sometimes too difficult not to watch victories over Marquette and Pittsburgh. "He's moving well without the ball. His him. Over the past four games - including the shot selection is better. His finishing wins over Marquette and Pitt - Tucker has around the rim is better. His free throw "Especially when the clock is running jumped into the national player of the shooting has gotten better. His perimeter down and you get him the ball, you just year race by averaging 25.2 points while shooting has gotten better," said Gard, go, 'Here you go, make a play,' " making 55.7 percent of his shots overall who added that Wisconsin's coaches Chappell said. "You definitely can't get and 46.1 percent of his 3-pointers. haven't found a formula that will stop into that too much, but some of the stuff Tucker in practice. he does you can't help but watch him and "He's best at keeping you guessing," said say, 'Man, that's amazing.' But you still Cain, who added that Tucker has more "We run double teams at him, put big have to work and make an open cut moves than he could list. "Sometimes guys on him, smaller guys on him and try because your guy might be doubling he'll take that first step on you, sometimes to deny him the ball. We give him every (Tucker) and you can get open that way." he won't. He'll dribble and just go. look in practice and he just finds a way," Sometimes he'll go up for a drive and Gard added. "If his shot doesn't go down, sometimes he'll come off a screen and he grabs the rebound and puts it back in curl for that floater shot. I mean, I don't himself." know what he's best at. He's good at everything and everybody feeds off his Gard said Tucker may have made the confidence." most improvement so far this season on the defensive end. And that's where NBA Against the backdrop of the best freshman class in a decade, Wisconsin's fifth-year senior star Alando Tucker is building something much bigger than a case for player of the year honors

Sports Illustrated

Posted: Tuesday January 2, 2007 11:11AM; Updated: Tuesday January 2, 2007 11:11AM By Grant Wahl

Sometimes, when he's not building his case for national teammates during last year's tour of for early- player of the year, Wisconsin forward Alando Tucker morning visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the will close his eyes and imagine the scene at the Colosseum in Rome. ("This is the chance of a lifetime!" community center he plans to open someday in his he'd scream.) Or maybe it's just that at a time when the native Lockport, Ill., 35 miles southwest of Chicago. An best freshman class in a decade has hogged nearly all indoor basketball court. A grass field for football and the attention, this 22-year-old fifth-year senior and baseball. An asphalt track. Study carrels and computers leading candidate for player of the year knows what it for learning. And, not least, a steady stream of children means to have a college career. and adults from the neighborhood. "I want to have every sport there to bring out the best in each kid, but I also "Is Alando Tucker the best player in the country? Yes," want to base it on academics," says Tucker. argues Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, whose Badgers were 14-1 at week's end thanks in large part to Tucker's "The facility will be for everyone in the community, 20.6 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. "He has elevated including a fitness center for the older generation. The this team with a combination of rebounding and defense idea is to feel safe in the area, because there's a lot of and offense, and he makes all the players around him violence." better. I'm prejudiced toward guys who've had to pay their dues, maybe suffer through a few things and come Tucker is hardly unique in wanting to build a out the way Alando is coming out right now. He'll get community center in his hometown -- NBA star national attention because he's earned it, just like they Carmelo Anthony is the latest to have done so -- but he said in the old [Smith Barney] ads." may be the first athlete who put together a detailed proposal for one while still in college. Last year Tucker, Badgers guard Kammron Taylor says the only Cheese a communications major, wrote a 19-page paper using State athlete bigger than Tucker these days is Brett the works of hoops philanthropists Magic Johnson and Favre, who may also be the only one who's more Kevin Johnson as models for his own project. "He's battered. Tucker has broken his right foot twice and he already got a business plan in mind," says his academic fractured his nose last year, which forced him to wear a adviser, professor Larry Meiller. "I was impressed with mask. Only after Tucker underwent facial surgery in the the amount of thought he had given to this for someone off-season was he able to start breathing through his his age, and I don't mind telling you I gave him an A for nose again. "Immediately after the surgery I could tell a the paper. I really believe that at some point in his life difference," says Tucker. "I have so much more energy there's going to be a large facility that Alando will this year, and I'm finally the player that I know I could create and spend a lot of time in. He's the kind of kid have been in previous years." you hope all your students could be." At 6'6" and 210 pounds, Tucker compensates for his It's hard to decide which of Tucker's manifold attributes size disadvantage down low with surpassing quickness, is the most refreshing. Maybe it's that the BMOC of Brew Country hops (he broke Michael Finley's school Playboy's No. 1 party school is a State Street regular record with a standing 38-inch vertical leap) and enough who says he has kept a decadelong vow never to drink strength to bench-press 360 pounds. Because Ryan's alcohol, smoke or get a tattoo. Or that, eschewing the trendy swing offense requires nearly every Badger to usual staples on most summer trips abroad -- hoops, develop post moves, Tucker had to change the way he video games, McDonald's -- Tucker rallied his played upon his arrival in Madison. "I came here never having posted up in high school, but it didn't take me anyone cracks wise about his appearance on SI's season- long to realize I could do a lot of damage in the post," preview cover, which called him a "sidekick" to says Tucker. Which is not to say that he's ignoring his teammate Brian Butch. ("People will say, 'How you perimeter game: He's shooting 33% from three-point doin', Sidekick?' 'What's up, Robin?'") And he literally range. Never was Tucker's versatility more evident than sings on the court, kicking off every Badgers pre-game during his 32-point (with three treys), 10-rebound tour huddle with lyrics from Lil Wayne's Stuntin' Like My de force in an 89-75 win over then No. 2 Pittsburgh on Daddy (Tucker: How you want it? Team: Show me my Dec. 16. opponent!)

"He's been double- and triple-teamed every game, and Tucker traces his leadership instinct to the day in the numbers he's putting up are unbelievable," says seventh grade when his older half brother, Antonio, left Taylor, "but he's also just a great leader." Last summer Lockport to join the Army and serve in Kosovo. Tucker was chosen to represent Wisconsin at a five-day Suddenly Alando was the man of the house, helping his meeting in Orlando of the Student-Athlete Advisory mother, Lisa, and grandmother Dorothy raise his three Council, a national leadership organization. Likewise, remaining siblings. But Antonio, now a police officer, Tucker has performed at so many public-speaking had already left his mark, developing Alando's functions in Madison that the university now has to intellectual curiosity by encouraging him to read great screen his requests. books on his own as an early teen (the Koran, the Iliad, the Bible). At night they'd discuss ways to improve their Ryan tells the story of a recent engagement when he town, and those talks were the genesis of Alando's idea prepped Tucker by advising him to scan the audience for the community center, as well as the pact they made from left to right as a way of establishing a quick -- Alando was 12; Antonio, 16 -- to forswear drinking, rapport. Tucker brought the house down when he told smoking and tattoos. the crowd of Ryan's advice and shook his head. "Coach," he said, "it's my major!" Tucker has kept that vow, and each day's passing is a helpful reminder that in an Age of Instant Gratification, Tucker carries that easygoing confidence wherever he building something lasting takes time, whether it's a goes. He doesn't mind that 80% of the campus reputation, a title-contending basketball program or the (including, strangely, his roommate, Badgers forward best damn community center Lockport will have ever Marcus Landry) pronounces his name as a-LON-do seen. when it's really a-LAN-do. Tucker laughs whenever

Basketball action figure: Badgers' Tucker plays with heroic effort

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By MARK STEWART Posted: Jan. 8, 2007 myself to be two steps ahead of everyone • 500 shots, 300 three-pointers a day. Madison - Superman. Batman. The else." Transformers. Alando Tucker loves them all. • Ball-handling drills for at least 30 minutes. If the season ended today, he'd be in the mix Though he is 22 years old, the University of for the national player of the year award, • Shoot jump shots coming off screens and Wisconsin senior has never given up his love much less All-American recognition in large then shoot free throws to simulate the fatigue of superheroes or the cartoons in which they part because of his play in those two games. of a game. star. He's still down with crimefighters, right He enters play tonight averaging a Big Ten- down to T-shirts you'll sometimes find him best 20.2 points as well as 4.6 rebounds and • One-on-one work with sophomore forward wearing under his Badgers sweatshirt. two assists per game. Marcus Landry to improve strength.

"I wear them around," he said. "It's not a ritual Most impressive, with the exception of All that came in addition to early morning I do before a game, I just wear a lot of heroic rebounding and turnovers he is producing at a weightlifting sessions with his teammates, shirts." higher rate in every major statistical category which happened five times a week, and pick- this season over last. And remember, he was up games with them in the afternoon. Badgers fans already know. They've seen what all-Big Ten last season. Tucker can do in his university-issued No. 42 The results have been fun to watch jersey, especially when the pressure is on. The biggest improvements have been in his three-point shooting and free-throw On one possession, he'll slash to the basket The 6-foot-6 forward is the rare breed of percentage. He is hitting at a rate of 33% and on another beat the defense with his player who is actually better on the bigger beyond the arc compared to 25% last season increasingly lethal turnaround jumper. Foul stage and under brighter lights. He figures to and 68% at the line compared to 55% last him and more than likely he'll make you pay be in his element at 8 tonight when the third- season. by making the basket. Send him to the free- ranked Badgers (15-1) play host to fifth- throw line and he is no longer a liability. ranked Ohio State (13-2) in an early-season The difference, according to Tucker, is having showdown of Big Ten favorites. a better supporting cast. "He came in as kind of an unknown freshman that could jump high and developed his Wisconsin has played 18 ranked opponents "It allows me to relax more," he said. "I don't basketball game to meet his athletic ability," since the start of Tucker's redshirt sophomore have to put a lot of pressure on myself to force UW assistant Greg Gard said. season. In those games, he failed to score in the issue this year." double figures just twice and managed more It's an all-around game that appears nearly than 20 points 11 times. Don't underestimate the value of good health - flawless these days. Then again, what else Tucker played last season with a broken nose would you expect from your friendly He is averaging 21.2 points and 5.9 rebounds that hampered his breathing - or hard work, neighborhood Wisconsin Badger. per game against ranked teams the past three either. years while shooting 48.8%. In two of his "I always wanted to consider myself trying to better performances this season, he averaged If you want to play like Tucker, there are no be the hero, trying lead this group of guys," 30 points and 7.5 rebounds in victories over tricks. Just be prepared to put in the time. He Tucker said. "I know I have to do it when then-No. 17 Marquette and then-No. 2 isn't big on long workouts but was in the gym games get tough, in games like this, Ohio Pittsburgh. almost every day during the summer, putting State, where my team is going to look to me to himself through various ball-handling and lead them out on the floor. I'm ready to lead The Big Ten's pre-season player of the year shooting drills. them into the battle." not only lives for these moments, he prepares for them. "I try to come in hard for an hour-and-a-half or two - that's all it takes - and work on "When I'm sitting at home, I'm, like, 'OK, if a different things," he said. "Sometimes it's just game is down to the wire and we're down by an hour, but in that hour I get a lot done." one, what should I do?' " Tucker said. "It is one of those things that I'm always preparing Here is a sampling of the Alando Tucker workout:

UW vs. Ohio St.: Tucker a prime-time player

Wisconsin State Journal

JESSE OSBORNE January 9, 2007 he's been nothing short of dominant in both of Alando Tucker loves playing the game of According to UW assistant coach Howard the Badgers' games against ranked foes. basketball, but he lives for games like this. Moore, those kinds of contributions put Tucker in the same class as Moore's former Tucker had 28 points - including a pair of When the third-ranked University of Badger teammate Michael Finley, and Devin crucial baskets late - and five rebounds in a Wisconsin men's basketball team plays host to Harris as some of the best prime-time win at No. 17 Marquette last month, and he fifth- ranked Ohio State in a Big Ten performers in school history. had 32 points and 10 rebounds in a decisive Conference game tonight at the Kohl Center, victory over then-No. 2 Pittsburgh a week there is no doubt the Badgers' senior forward "He's the type of kid, he really looks forward later. Those nationally televised performances will be ready to go. to these types of games. When the stakes are vaulted him firmly into national player of the high, his game is raised even more so," Moore year contention. Today will mark another "My expectations are so high for games like said of Tucker. "He really relishes being in opportunity to shine in front of a national this for myself," Tucker said. "My mind-set in these moments, and that's why great players audience. a game like this is that I have to do whatever it are great players. They're willing to step up takes for us to win. And I love being able to and they're anxious about those opportunities, "I think he just rises to the occasion," UW prove myself against teams like this, teams and that's exactly what you see from Alando. assistant coach Gary Close said. "He likes that are highly ranked. He comes to play every game ... but when it's competition, he likes challenges, he wants to a ranked opponent, he steps up. He's a great get better, he works to improve, and what "All eyes are looking at this game. My mouth leader that way." • better way to show you're improved than by is salivating right now because it's fun. When doing it against the best competition under the you're a competitor, you ask for games like No fear brightest lights. this. When you're a competitor, you want to have a challenge and you want to show teams The birth of Tucker's big- game success came "I think it's his personality, his makeup. He's a around the nation, and you want to show early in the 2004-05 season against 12th- winner. He's a doer, and he's not afraid to put people around the nation that you deserve ranked Maryland in an ACC- Big Ten his game on the line, success or failure. He's everything you're getting." Challenge game at the Kohl Center. Tucker willing to do that, and that's a mark of a true scored 27 points in UW's 69-64 victory. champion." What the Badgers (15-1) are getting out of the 6-foot-6 Tucker is plenty of production in "I think that was the one that really opened a Now, those kinds of performances have games against ranked opponents over the lot of people's eyes," Tucker said. "It just become the expected for Tucker. course of his career. While Tucker's numbers stands out because that was like my first real have always been good - he averaged 15.2 big game where I exploded." "He's been our go-to guy, and we're going to points per game as a sophomore in 2004-05, rely on him again (today)," Chappell said. 19.0 last season, and a Big Ten- best 20.2 so And there's been several such games against "We hope he does what he's done in the past. far this season - they're even better against ranked teams since. A 21-point, seven- We definitely expect him to." ranked opponents. rebound performance marked UW's victory over No. 18 Alabama in December 2004; a And so do fans. Tucker said he's heard from In 18 games against ranked teams since the 24- point, eight-rebound game in a loss to top- plenty of them - for a long time - about today's start of the 2004-05 season, Tucker is ranked Illinois in February 2005; a 25-point game with the Buckeyes (13-2). averaging 21.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per output in the Elite Eight against No. 2 North game. In the past 11 games against ranked Carolina in March 2005; a 27-point game at "They all give me tips on what I need to do to teams, his numbers have spiked to 23.5 points No. 24 Wake Forest; a 21-point, nine- rebound get us a win," Tucker said. "People are like, and 6.4 rebounds per game. outing at No. 19 Ohio State last January; a 29- 'Yeah, score 50 and have 25 rebounds.' point game at home against No. 24 Indiana "Way back when I was little, my AAU coach last February, and a 27- point, 16-rebound "People expect me to do Superman-like used to preach about competitive greatness," performance at home against No. 12 Ohio things, and I've kind of built that reputation UW senior center Jason Chappell said. "It's State last February are among the best. over the past years in big games where I step when you're playing against the best players up. I don't want it to stop now." and you just rise to your best. That's Only twice over those 18 games has Tucker something (Tucker) does really well. It's just not scored in double figures, and both times that competitive greatness when he knows that came in early 2005 when he was battling a he has a big challenge ahead of him, and he painful case of turf toe. This season, though, usually rises to his best as well." UW men's basketball: Agents swarming, but Tucker won't let them bug him

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz January 9, 2007

The agents started showing up last spring And I say, 'Talk to my family and work decisions I make on the court," he said. when they hoped Alando Tucker would things out through there.'" "That's regardless of age or anything. I'm go pro after his junior year with the healthy and people are finally getting to University of Wisconsin men's basketball Tucker said the would-be agents get see the real Alando Tucker." team. Now that he's a senior and a pretty creative. "There are hawks out candidate for national player of the year there. If they can't get to your family they That's one reason why he has played so honors, agents are hovering around get to your friends. I've had people on well in the Badgers' high-profile games Tucker's family like mosquitoes on a campus come up to me and say, 'We against Pitt and at Marquette and at humid June evening. know a guy who knows a guy who wants Georgia. He averaged 29.6 points in those to represent you,'" Tucker said. "You three games. Few, however, are getting through to the have to politely explain to people that Badgers' 6-foot-6 star forward. you're trying to stay focused and your "Last year I broke my nose. The year main goal is to win on the basketball before that I stubbed my toe. There have "I've done a good job of making sure that court right now." been unfortunate events that have kept me my phone number doesn't get leaked out down for a while," said Tucker, who anywhere," Tucker said as he prepared Last spring, Tucker said he was asked if needs to score 31 points to surpass Danny for tonight's nationally televised Big Ten he wanted to go work out with some other Jones (1,854) and move into second place Conference matchup between the third- players to determine if he should leave on the school's all-time scoring list. "The ranked Badgers (15-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and school and turn pro. type of things I'm doing this year is what fifth-ranked Ohio State (13-2, 2-0). "So I knew I was capable of doing the whole my brother and father are getting the "A lot of people told me to go work out time. But even better is that I have a majority of the calls. My brother is with someone and prove what I could do better supporting cast this year who can always telling me that those guys never through them. But I always feel I have to step up in games and help me out." stop." prove whatever it is to myself first," he said. "And I had my mind set and nobody Tucker had a long chat about agents and The agents are hoping to represent Tucker can change my mind once I have my other potential distractions last fall with after he completes his senior season with mind set on something and when I feel Devin Harris, the former Wisconsin the Badgers. With his stock continuing to strong about an issue." standout guard who is a member of the rise, Tucker has been projected by some Dallas Mavericks. as a mid-to-late first-round pick in June's Tucker said he returned to Wisconsin NBA draft. because he felt strongly that the Badgers "He said you have to weed out who's in could contend for Big Ten Conference for this and who's in for that. He said NCAA rules forbid Tucker from signing and national titles this season. He said when you're going through a season, you with an agent until he exhausts his also wanted to see what he could do have to make sure that, first, you take amateur eligibility. But that doesn't during a season when he was healthy. care of Wisconsin and the rest will come prevent agents from showing up at games Finally, he wanted to show that a fifth- later. It was good advice," Tucker said. or trying to get his attention through his year senior can graduate and go on to family or UW coach Bo Ryan. become an impact player in the NBA. Tucker doubts that anybody could be having more fun than him on the "Coach Ryan lets it be known that they "I always want to show people who say basketball court right now. "I don't see have to go through the coaching staff or Tucker can't do this or Tucker can't do how they could. I'm loving every minute my family. I don't get in contact with any that or it's questionable that I can do this that we're playing games and every of them," said Tucker, who leads the or that. I want to prove to people that you second that I'm on the practice court," he Badgers with a 20.2 scoring average. can't count me out because I can turn said. "They'll come up to me and say, 'Hey.' heads with the plays I make and the It's a bird! A plane! A Badger! Dick Weiss, New York Daily News Thursday, January 25th, 2007

MADISON, Wis. - Alando Tucker has always been in love took a pass, feeling that Tucker was really an undersized with comic book superheroes. He has "Superman," power forward who would struggle with his perimeter "Batman" and "Transformers" videos stockpiled at his off- shot. Bill Self, the Illinois coach at the time, sent his campus apartment and occasionally wears T-shirts of his assistants to take a look, but there was never an offer. favorite characters under his red-and-white Wisconsin Current Illinois coach Bruce Weber, who was coaching at jersey at practice. Southern Illinois at the time, was hoping Tucker would fall through the cracks and land at his Missouri Valley It seems only fitting that the 6-6, 205-pound, fifth-year Conference school. senior with the freakish 38-inch vertical leap has taken on a superhero persona himself for this second-ranked But the Wisconsin staff, especially assistant Tony Bennett, Badgers team, which is 20-1 after drubbing visiting who has since become the head coach at Washington State, Michigan, 71-58, last night to extend the nation's longest loved his potential and got in early before the secret got winning streak to 16 games and breaking a 56-year school out. "My mother and grandmother both loved Tony record. The victory also matches Wisconsin's best start in Bennett and they were the ones making the decision," school history as the Badgers improved to 6-0 in the Big Tucker admitted. "Plus, I knew Coach Ryan had won at Ten for the first time since the 1913-14 team was 12-0. every level."

Tucker, who scored 16 last night, has a chance to be the Tucker grew up in Joliet, Ill., a depressed mill town 35 best player ever at this Big Ten school, ahead of NBA stars miles south of Chicago that is known more for "The Blues Michael Finley, the school's all-time leading scorer; and Brothers" and "Rudy" than for economic stability. "We Devin Harris, who was the fifth pick in the 2004 NBA had a serious gang problem in our neighborhood," he said. draft. Both those players were Wooden Award finalists. "I saw a lot of death and murders."

Tucker - averaging 19.3 points and 5 rebounds after last When Tucker was in eighth grade, the family moved to night's game - would be our choice to win that prestigious nearby Lockport, a canal town leading to the Mississippi award if the season ended today, ahead of North Carolina's River, to escape the violence. "It was more of a rural area," powerful 6-9 sophomore Tyler Hansbrough and Texas' Tucker said. "My high school had a lot more diversity, so freshman prodigy Kevin Durant, based largely on his it was an adjustment for me. I had to learn to fit in both on efforts against the best teams on the Badgers' schedule. and off the court and it helped me grow as a person."

"Doe," as Tucker is called, went off for 32 points and 10 Tucker got a head start in basketball from his 26-year-old rebounds as Wisconsin disposed of Big East favorite and brother, Antonio, who served in the Army in Kosovo and then-No.2 Pitt, 89-75, in Madison on Dec.16. He also had is now a policeman. "Antonio used to take me around with 28 points when the Badgers beat Marquette, 70-66, in him to different playgrounds when I was younger and I Milwaukee on Dec. 9, and 17 in a 72-69 home win over was constantly playing against older guys," Tucker Ohio State two weeks ago in an early season Big Ten recalled. "I never played against kids my own age. It showdown. taught me how to score inside against bigger guys. I could always jump ever since I started jumping rope in eighth That string of superb performances comes as no surprise to grade." coach Bo Ryan, who got a glimpse of Tucker's enormous talent in just the fifth game of his freshman year when the Tucker has never forgotten where he came from. He still coach temporarily plugged Tucker into the power forward remembers the hours he spent at the Fairmount spot to help with rebounding and the kid went off for 24 Community Center working on his game and was so points and 18 rebounds against UNLV. Tucker, who turns disturbed when he recently discovered it had closed that he 23 on Feb. 11, redshirted in 2004 after suffering a foot drew up a 19-page proposal to build a new youth center injury four games into the season, but he has led the that would include baseball and football fields, a huge Badgers in scoring since his return. gymnasium and an academic learning center. It is a project he hopes to help fund if he makes any money off this sport Tucker averaged 22.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists in the future. his senior year at Lockport (Ill.) Township High and was a first team All-State selection. But most Big Ten coaches That seems to be a foregone conclusion these days. Tucker turns Wisconsin into basketball school Star does it all, and more, to put hoops on equal footing with football By Mike DeCourcy, The Sporting News Jan 31, 2007

Two years before Alando Tucker enrolled at Wisconsin, Tucker's newfound stamina helped him dominate when the Badgers reached the Final Four. They started Wisconsin thundered through a December road victory at aggressively recruiting him not long afterward, and he had Marquette. As the talented Golden Eagles attempted a a vision. He would, in his words, "change the program." comeback, Tucker kept wrecking defenders with hard drives and wound up with 28 points. He followed that with He was not kidding then. He is not kidding now. And, a 32-point destruction of Pittsburgh and since has settled seriously, Tucker did what he came to do. "Wisconsin was into providing whatever the Badgers need to win. still considered a football school," he says. "Even though we made the Final Four, the basketball program wasn't He will take what you give him and then take more highly respected." The book on Tucker used to say he would drive to the right nearly every time and that he would attempt to post up Then a program viewed as dependent on a gimmick smaller defenders and attack bigger guys off the dribble. slowdown system that didn't excite young players or fringe fans, Wisconsin now receives enough votes each week to The book on him now asks: What are we going to do? rank among the top five teams in the Associated Press poll. This accomplishment means far, far less than playing He can post up bigger defenders and, most important, drive during the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament but is, past smaller defenders such as Pitt's Antonio Graves and for all but the historically elite programs, more difficult to Marquette's Jerel McNeal. Despite a late-January slump achieve. from long range, Tucker's shooting ability commands opponents' respect. He is expert at pulling up and shooting See, Tucker assesses what is good and then considers how midrange jumpers after several hard, fast dribbles. Tucker to make it better — how, if possible, to make it best. If he may not have the same midrange touch as did not approach the sport in this manner, we wouldn't be star Richard Hamilton, but he moves more quickly and talking about him today. If good enough were good jumps higher. enough, he'd simply be another fine player on another contending team. He is not, though. He is a special player. "One thing we really admire about him is how dangerous The Badgers are a special team. They grew toward this he is from the triple-threat position," says a Big Ten together, and together they could reach the game's assistant who has scouted the Badgers. "We used to give pinnacle. That was the plan all along, and he has taken the him jump shots. We can't do that anymore. Whenever the final steps in that direction. game is on the line, he steps up."

He is healthy at last He will wait you out A 6-6 small forward from Lockport, Ill., Tucker has Because of the foot injury, Tucker is a rare breed of endured more injuries in his five seasons at Wisconsin than college player: a great fifth-year senior. The last guy to a crash-test dummy. He missed all but a few games of win the Trophy in his fifth season was 2003-04 with a broken foot. He played with a toe injury UCLA's Ed O'Bannon in 1995. That happens to be one of the next year. He broke his nose a few games into last only three times in the past 15 years the winner of that season and struggled to breathe during every game, a trophy earned an NCAA championship ring in the same problem that ultimately required surgery to fix. He also year. had offseason surgery to clean up some knee damage. Tucker could have entered the NBA draft after the 2005-06 So, this is the second season he has played without season, when he averaged 19.0 points and 5.7 rebounds. significant limitations — and given that the first was his "A lot of people say they want to test the waters," Tucker freshman year, when he was limited by being a freshman, says, "but I knew 100 percent that I wanted to come back." maybe it's actually the first. Coach Bo Ryan says the nasal surgery has turned Tucker into "a different guy. I couldn't Tucker's patience and intelligence are at least as obvious believe how much that must have affected him." on the court. In a game as seemingly inconsequential as the Badgers' road trip to Northwestern, where any team even thinking about the Final Four should enter with a grin and leave with a win, Wisconsin wrestled with Northwestern's tricky zone and Tucker was accompanied by two defenders on nearly every catch. But when the Wildcats tired, and when Tucker sensed their fatigue, he took command. He scored 15 of the team's 32 second half points.

"Right now, in my mind, he's the best leader we've had," Ryan says. "It's not phony. There's not a phony bone in him."

He will not settle Tucker read all the preseason college basketball yearbooks and what they said about him.

Second team All-American? One of the 10 best players among more than 4,300 in Division I? Nobody ever has been disrespected in quite the same manner. Tucker called his brother, Antonio, whom he considers a mentor, and made a promise: "By early January or February, I'll show the world that I am one of the top players."

Tucker understood something about that pursuit that eludes many with comparable talent: The surest way to be established as a great player is to win big games. "With team success comes the individual accolades," he says. "Always. Anyone can lose and put up numbers. But how many guys can lead their teams to victories?"

Indeed, how many guys can turn a football school into a basketball school? Greg Oden couldn't do that if he stayed four years at Ohio State. Kevin Durant won't be able to do it at Texas. Even Joakim Noah won't get that done, and he has won a national championship at Florida. How about Tucker, performing like the leading contender for player of the year and pushing the Badgers toward their second Final Four of the decade?

No, he won't do it, either. But Wisconsin at last has become a basketball school in addition to a football school. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The leader in assists Tucker is a friend teammates count on

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By MARK STEWART Posted: Feb. 6, 2007

Madison - University of Wisconsin Michael Finley's mark of 2,147 points in Landry shore up some of his weaknesses basketball player Kirk Penney took a the Big Ten tournament. as a player. promising freshman under his wing four years ago and showed him the ropes. But as good as Tucker has been on the The memory that sticks for Krabbenhoft court, it is possible he has been better off stems from last summer, when he thought Alando Tucker never forgot those it. he suffered another foot injury. With the lessons. team trainer off for the day, his parents "He's always around. He always wants to back in South Dakota and his aunt and "Behind closed doors, me and Kirk had a do stuff," junior Michael Flowers said. uncle from Madison out of town, really tight, close relationship," Tucker "He's the type of guy who gets two hours Krabbenhoft called Tucker. said. "I was one of the guys he constantly of sleep and comes in energized at 6:30 in talked to. He wasn't very vocal but me the morning, laughing and joking around "Alando spent three or four hours with and him could talk for hours and he'd go when we're lifting weights. He's the spirit me," Krabbenhoft said. "I was in tears. I over game situations and different things and heart of this team." thought my season would be over again I'd need to look for and it helped me." and Alando kept my spirits up and took Tucker has done that by reaching out to me to the hospital. Tucker has been taking guys under his every member of the team, whether it be wing ever since. giving Brian Butch words of "We went to the hospital together and he encouragement, breaking bread with Greg waited there in the waiting room until I The Badgers senior is the ultimate double Stiemsma or hanging out at Joe got the X-rays and waited until we found threat, leading the nation's fourth-ranked Krabbenhoft's and Tanner Bronson's out everything was OK, just being a great team on the court and serving as a major apartment after a night class and talking guy because he's been through injuries unifying force off it. The saying goes that basketball till all hours of the night. before." it's important that a team's best player be its hardest worker, but there is also Sophomore Morris Cain, who like Tucker has that serious side to him, but something to be said when a team's best Bronson is a walk-on from Nicolet, has for the most his teammates see him as the player is one of its most-liked people. been invited over to Tucker's place to fun-loving guy who likes to sit on the hang out. Freshman Trevon Hughes back of the team bus on team trips Tucker has accomplished that during his called Tucker at the crack of dawn asking watching DVDs of his beloved cartoons four-plus years in the program, a feat as for a ride to the barbershop and Tucker and eating candy like a kid. impressive as his statistics. And for the delivered. record, they are massive. Yeah, he is a dual threat. Tucker has "He was, like, 'I'll be over in 5 minutes,' " managed to become one of the top The 6-foot-6 forward needs 25 points to Hughes said. "Sure enough he was there." players in the nation while remaining one become the 24th player in Big Ten of the guys. history to score 2,000 points, a mark he There are plenty of other instances in could reach tonight when the Badgers which Tucker reached out to teammates, It's no wonder the Badgers have (22-2, 8-1 Big Ten) play at Penn State such as in the summer of 2004 when he responded to him so well. (10-11, 1-7) at 7 p.m. asked Kammron Taylor to work out, in part to get work against Taylor's "First and foremost, he's a friend," Tucker, who averages 19.8 points per quickness but also to help Taylor prepare Stiemsma said. "That's kind of what this game, should reach the mark some time for a larger role with the team after Devin whole thing is about. We're a pretty close this week. And some time before the end Harris left early for the National team on and off the floor. It's going to be of the season, he should break the Basketball Association. Last summer, good to see a guy like Alando where you school's all-time scoring record. At his Tucker invited sophomore Marcus played with him for three years and got to current pace, Tucker would break Landry to live with him and helped know him a little bit. It's going to be fun to see where he can go." Tucker embraces African-American history lessons

The Capital Times

By Mike Lucas February 9, 2007

More than one opposing player has identified Alando Tucker's recognition skills - or vision - as one of his defining strengths. Vision, that is, in the context that the University of Wisconsin men's basketball player has shown the ability to read the floor. That has allowed Tucker to create some scoring opportunities for his teammates while attacking vulnerable areas in a defense. "He finds seams well in the zone," Penn State's Jamelle Cornley observed after Tucker scored 24 points in Wednesday night's victory over the Nittany Lions. "He's an exceptional player."

And person.

That was Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan's take on Tucker during an appearance this week on ESPN2's morning show, "Cold Pizza." The segment opened with Ryan revisiting his own "Hambone" routine - a rhythmic hands-to-thighs-and- chest discipline - which had aired previously on ESPN. Segueing from the ridiculous to the sublime, Ryan was asked about Tucker's credentials as a candidate for college basketball's Player of the Year award. Ryan duly noted that Tucker was equally qualified to be the "Person of the Year."

As it is, Tucker's aforementioned reading skills extend beyond the basketball court. Recently, he took part in a Black History Month project that can be viewed on the UW's athletic department Web site. One element of the research production evolved into another, according to Kevin Kluender, the assistant athletic director for marketing. Thus, the video board features were converted into 60-second radio spots on the Badger radio network, airing during men's and women's basketball games and men's hockey games.

Tucker was selected as one of the "readers" joining Paul Hubbard (UW football), Janese Banks (UW women's basketball) and Chavon Robinson (UW women's track). Each read from a prepared script. Banks spoke of Julian Ware and Adelbert Matthews, baseball players, and the first African-American athletes at the UW (1900). Robinson spoke of George Poage, the first African-American on the UW track squad (1904). Hubbard spoke of William Exum, the first African-American on the UW football team (1929) and Ed Withers, the first African-American to earn All-American honors for the Badgers (1950).

"Jim Biggs and Ivan Jefferson were the first African-Americans on the UW basketball team," Tucker read from the script. "In 1958, on a trip to Houston, Texas - for a game against Rice - Biggs and Jefferson were denied access to their teammate's hotel because of their race. They were forced to stay at Texas Southern University. Following this incident, the UW Athletic Board adopted a new policy. Road games could only be played in cities where the entire team could stay under one roof. With the new policy in effect, the basketball team did not return to the South until 1963 for a game at Kentucky."

On Dec. 6, 1958, Rice crushed the Badgers, 78-37, in Houston. All 12 UW players, who made the trip, saw action; including Jefferson, who scored four points, and Biggs, who was scoreless. That same weekend, the Democratic Advisory Council called on Congress to enact far-reaching civil rights laws, not the least of which were measures to help reopen schools closed in the South by conflicts over racial desegregation. Near the end of 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower reissued a civil rights bill in response to church and school bombings in the South. The bill became an act, the 1960 Civil Rights Act; a federal law that levied penalties against people who obstructed the right's of citizens to register to vote, or vote.

For historical perspective, Pumpsie Green became the first African-American to play baseball for the Boston Red Sox in 1959. SMU's Jerry Levias became the first African-American to play football in the Southwest Conference in 1966. (Levias played for coach Hayden Fry). Also in 1966, Texas Western, with an all-black starting lineup, defeated Kentucky and won the national championship in college basketball. A year later, Vanderbilt's Perry Wallace became the first tendered African-American to play basketball in the Southeast Conference.

All of this black history resonates with Alando Tucker.

"I was sitting in the room and following along as Alando was reading the script," said Kluender, referencing the story line on Biggs and Jefferson being told that they couldn't stay at the same hotel with their white teammates on that 1958 road trip to Houston. "And just from hearing him read it - and I thought he really did a nice job - my impression was that Alando had some real conviction in his voice. He put effort into it as opposed to just reading copy."

That was a good read on the part of Kluender, too, because Tucker was genuinely touched by the words that he was articulating and the story that he was telling. "I read over the script a couple of times before I read it aloud," Tucker said, "and while I was reading it to myself, it hit me, and I'm thinking, 'Wow, all of this segregation and discrimination was about 50 years ago.' And it was mind-boggling - what not only the players - but people had to go through. Reading it aloud really opened my eyes."

Not that Tucker has been sheltered to the existence of racism, even today. "Growing up (in Lockport, Ill.), I had some friends who were called names in racially-motivated situations," he said. "I've not experienced a lot of it myself. But having some family members in the South, and visiting them, I've been exposed to it." To a lesser degree, Tucker also confided, there were some isolated moments as a UW freshman in Madison that he recognized some people were still less tolerant of his race than others.

"What's really important to me as an African-American basketball player," Tucker stressed, "is realizing what went on the in the past - and what so many players went through (like Biggs and Jefferson) - have opened up so many opportunities for players like myself today. I understand...I understand my history and I've tried to pass it down to some of the younger players."

On Saturday, barring the unforeseen, Tucker will make some basketball history by joining the 2,000 point club. He is one point shy of that plateau, which has been reached by only 23 Big Ten players. One former Badger, Michael Finley, is on that list with 2,147 points; a number that Alando Tucker is presently chasing.

"Right now, it is just a number," Tucker said of 2,000, "because I have my eyes on other goals. I know once the season is over with, it's going to hit me; the whole season we're having will hit me. But, right now, I'm focused on trying to keep this group focused on winning. That's my main thing. When my teammates found out I needed just one more point (for 2,000) they seemed more excited about it than I was. The same with my family. I get enjoyment out of seeing the looks on their faces and how happy they are for me. But I have to stay focused, especially being a leader, I can't be focused on myself right now." Such is his exceptional vision, and awareness; on and off the court. Best Badger ever? Tucker, Finley top spirited debate

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz February 9, 2007

Tracy Webster didn't mind being put on (14-10, 6-4) at the Kohl Center, the with the way he conducted himself as a the spot when he was asked if Alando Badgers are tied with Ohio State for first player at Wisconsin. Tucker had slipped past his old college place in the conference standings and teammate Michael Finley to become the Tucker is one of the favorites for national "The one year I was at Wisconsin I can best player in the history of the player of the year honors. honestly say he never had one bad-effort University of Wisconsin men's basketball day in practice," he said. "My guess is program. While Wisconsin fans have watched that Alando is the same way." Tucker continue to close in on Finley's First, Webster mentioned how much he all-time scoring mark of 2,147 points, Just as there were many others before loves Tucker's game. they are reminded of the special 1993-94 Finley and Tucker who worked as hard season when Finley, a lithe 6-7 junior and were as successful in their own way "Tucker plays with a ton of confidence, small forward, teamed with Webster to and deserve to be included in the debate. his teammates feed off of him and I think lead the once moribund Badgers to their The players from the 1941 team that won he's a little more flashy than Mike was," first NCAA Tournament berth in 47 the school's only NCAA basketball title said Webster, the former Wisconsin point years. come to mind. guard who is now an assistant coach at Illinois. And during this wild season when "Tucker's phenomenal. He could be Wisconsin fans have watched talented player of the year and if that's the case "I don't know if I want to say flashy," freshmen lift teams like Ohio State, North maybe he is the best player to have added Webster, who decided against Carolina and Texas into the national title played at Wisconsin," said John Powless, correcting himself, "but Mike didn't talk race, they are also reminded of Finley's who coached the UW basketball team when he played. Tucker doesn't really 30-point effort as a freshman in 1992 that from 1969 through 1976 and was a talk but he still lets you know that, 'Hey, led the Badgers to an win over longtime television analyst for many of I'm getting the best of you.' He does the Michigan and its freshmen Fab Five. the Badgers' games. signals. He lets you know that he's playing well. I like it." Both are tremendous athletes with "But you have the Johnny Kotz fans and different emphases to their games. While the Bobby Cook fans and the Paul But despite Tucker's outstanding career at the powerful Tucker has arguably the best Morrow fans," Powless added. "You can Wisconsin, which includes needing just inside game of any forward in college, go back and name the guys I didn't see one more point to join Finley as the Finley led the Badgers as a slasher and play and you talk to those guys and they'll program's only 2,000-point scorers, deadly catch-and-shoot scorer. tell you they were the greatest things to Webster isn't ready to anoint the 6-foot-5 ever play here." senior forward from Lockport, Ill., as the "I don't think you can say which one is all-time best Badger. better," said Tim Buckley, who coached Powless believes guard Clarence Sherrod, Finley as an assistant coach at the UW who played at Wisconsin from 1968 to "Not to take anything away from Alando, during the 1993-94 season and has seen '71, was "pound for pound, ounce for it's just hard to pass that torch right now," Tucker up-close and personal this season ounce, the best player that ever played said Webster as he kept his allegiance to as an assistant at Iowa. "I think that end here." his old, close friend. result is pretty similar with both guys but they go about it in different ways." Sherrod played during an era when The who's-better debate is a wonderful players couldn't play as freshmen, so his byproduct of the season that Tucker and Buckley remembered Finley, who now 1,408 career points, 10th on the all-time the fourth-ranked Badgers (23-2, 9-1 Big plays with the National Basketball list, occurred over three seasons. His 19.6 Ten) are enjoying. Heading into Association's San Antonio Spurs, as a per-game scoring average still is the best Saturday's nationally televised Big Ten mature player who was very professional all-time. Finley is second at 18.7 while Conference game against improved Iowa Tucker is seventh at 16.3. whatever it takes to win and put their Tucker has won playing hurt for three of Matt Lepay, who has been the radio voice team in winning positions," Moore said. his four years. of the Badgers since 1988, said Finley and Devin Harris, who is in his third year "You can't replace hard work. You see "I've got to hand it to Tucker. He has with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, were where it took Michael and where it's done an unbelievable job of helping those the best players he saw at Wisconsin about to take Alando," he added. "It's a guys stay on top," Webster said. "The before Tucker arrived. "Tracy, obviously, special situation to have two guys who way he carries himself off the court is is in the conversation as well," Lepay want to do everything the right way something I'm really impressed with, too. said, referring to Webster, who scored receive the attention they are receiving." And he's a guy who can take his game to 1,264 points in three years. the next level." Moore likes to tease Tucker in practice by Webster also made a case for Harris, a saying, "Mike could do this and you can't Lepay said such a debate shows the need point guard who scored 1,425 points and do that." All that does is stir Tucker's for the UW Athletic Department to led the Badgers to two Big Ten regular- competitive juices. recognize the basketball program's season titles, a Big Ten tournament title greatest players. and three NCAA tournaments before "They are both competitive and they'd declaring for the NBA draft after his probably both be in a gym together trying "If you don't retire the number, do a ring junior season in 2003-04. "I thought Wes to beat each other and it would be a heck of honor and recognize guys who were a Matthews was great, too, and he was here of a game," Moore said. great part of the program and explain for just a little bit," Webster said. why. I'm a big advocate of doing that," What most everyone agreed with was that Lepay said. Former UW guard Trent Jackson, who Tucker earns an edge because of how played from 1985 through '89 and is sixth many games the Badgers have won while Finley or Tucker? Don't ask UW coach on the all-time scoring list with 1,545 he has played at Wisconsin and how Bo Ryan. He'll just say he loves the points, mentioned teammate Danny Jones many big shots or plays Tucker has made debate because it keeps the focus on as well as guard Rick Olson. Jones trails to help them win some of those games. Wisconsin basketball. only Finley and Tucker on the all-time scoring list with 1,854 points while Olson "It's been a long time since Finley played "What Alando is doing with the team is fourth with 1,736. and you try to remember that - but it brings that kind of talk up. So what's seems like Tucker has made more big wrong with that?" Ryan asked. "It's the "He's still the guy I say caused me to go shots than Michael did," Lepay said. best of all worlds." to Wisconsin," Jackson said of Olson. "Either a buzzer-beater to beat Iowa, or a last-second tip-in or even the play he UW assistant coach Howard Moore also made at Illinois with the to Kam liked Jones, a 6-6 power forward who (Taylor), you look at it that way and I held his own when the Big Ten was at its have to lean to Tucker. But they played best. "It was tough to be an undersized different games so it's hard to say one power forward in a big ground-it-out over the other." league, especially the way it was in the late '80s," Moore said. "It was tough for Lepay said Tucker earns an edge as a Danny to do what he did." leader, too. "I always thought Webster was a great leader of the ('94) NCAA But Moore still had Finley and Tucker as team. Tucker is along those lines," he his top two. Just don't ask Moore, a said. "Again, they were different fellow Chicagoan who played four years positions, different type of players, but I with Finley and has coached Tucker for think a guy like Alando won't let his team the past two seasons, to try to put one lose. He just won't. If he has to put a team over the other. on his back he will and he's perfectly willing to defer, too." "The thing that both of them bring to the table is the obvious physical abilities, the Finley wore No. 24, Tucker wears 42. athleticism, the ability to go out and score Finley was Mr. Outside, Tucker is Mr. points. But they also possessed the Inside. One is from the Chicago suburb of intangibles like the attitude, the desire to Mayfield, Ill., the other from the Chicago be the best, the willingness to do suburb of Lockport. Finley won playing for three different coaches in four years. Tucker thrives as Badgers' road warrior

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz February 20, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- It was late "I accept the challenge on the road. I during the Badgers' 64-54 win at Georgia during the Banner Game three years ago know that's where I have to be my on New Year's Eve. He had 29 points on at the Breslin Center here when Michigan strongest," said Tucker, who must be 10-of-20 shooting during a 75-62 win at State's walked to the free- good tonight when the Badgers (26-2, 12- Minnesota last Wednesday. throw line with a chance to clinch a 1 Big Ten), ranked No. 1 in the victory over Wisconsin. Associated Press for the first time in "His experience comes out on the road," school history, travel to the Breslin said UW assistant Greg Gard. A groan went through the sold-out crowd Center here to take on an improved "Sometimes your senses are sharper on when Hill, a 90 percent free-throw Michigan State team (19-8, 6-6) that is the road; they are keener because you shooter, missed the first shot from the salivating at the opportunity to knock the know the margin for error is slimmer. line. Meantime, the wild Izzone student UW off its perch. You know you have to execute every section located on the baseline by the single possession. Your shot selection has band nearly turned riotous because "When I'm on the road, that's when I to be there. You have to take care of the Alando Tucker, in street clothes, jumped know my leadership has to step up," he ball. You have to defend on every up from the Wisconsin bench after Hill's added. "That's when I know I have to play possession. Awareness of all those things first miss, faced the student section to his my best." is heightened when you are on the road." left and made the choke sign with his right hand on his neck. The proof of Tucker's road prowess can "You have a fifth-year senior who has be found in some very impressive, been through what he has been through Security folks jumped in front of the unique, national player of the year-like and has seen what happens when you surging students to keep them from numbers. don't do it the right way," Gard added. attacking Tucker, who laughed as Hill "So he's making sure he's doing all he can then missed the second free throw. Those At home, where players usually put up do to make sure we finish on the left-hand misses let the Badgers and Devin Harris their best statistics, Tucker averages 18.6 side." off the hook and they took advantage by points, 4.9 rebounds and is shooting 47.5 coming back to earn a 74-65 overtime percent overall, 31.9 percent from 3-point TUCKER LEADS, Ask the Badgers victory that denied the Spartans a share of range and 61.4 percent from the free- about Tucker and they say he does the Big Ten Conference regular-season throw line. nothing different on the road than at men's basketball title. home. On the road, where players' numbers The loss meant Michigan State never got usually slip, Tucker averages 24.3 points, BADGERS FOLLOW to unfurl a bannerhanging from the rafters 6.9 rebounds and is shooting 52.1 percent in Breslin commemorating the potential overall, 32.1 percent from 3-point range "He's the same old Tuck, whether it's championship. and 70.9 percent from the free-throw line. home or on the road. He's excited, loud in the locker room trying to get everybody ROAD SWEET ROAD Tucker has been "That correlates with how well we're pumped," said Taylor. "He doesn't such a road warrior throughout his career playing on the road this year," UW senior change." with the Badgers that he has found a way guard Kammron Taylor said of the to bother opponents and their fans even Badgers' 7-1 road record. They are just Tucker does his best work motivating and when he's not playing. And when he is one of three teams with only one true energizing his teammates while following playing, there might not be anybody in road loss. the same routine that he learned from the country who plays better in big games former road roommate Kirk Penney. It on the road than the Badgers' 6-foot-5 Tucker scored 28 points on 12-of-22 involves eating at the same time, going to senior forward. shooting during the Badgers' impressive bed at the same time and spending 70-66 win at then-17th-ranked Marquette. copious amounts of time bonding with He had 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting teammates. doesn't play out of control. "That comes The night before a game, for instance, he from experience and playing in tough "There has to be desire, determination. makes sure everyone gathers in situations. That aspect comes from Kirk," We have to want it, plain and simple. We somebody's room to watch a movie or a said Tucker. have to go in there and want to take program on television. "Something that something. We have a chance to do relaxes us as a group," Tucker said. "When Kirk played he never got too high something special and it has to come "That's something I've focused on more or too low. I'm more energetic when I get from your heart," he said. this year -- making sure that we all relax myself pumped up, but I pretty much as a group." know when I have to tone it down. It's a Just like three years ago, when the feel thing, a feel for the game," he said. Badgers saw a banner waiting to be On the day of the game, Tucker goes unfurled proclaiming the Spartans as Big through the team rituals like eating TUCKER LOVES PLAYING Tucker Ten champs. Tucker, who took a medical breakfast and going through the scouting slows himself down by running game redshirt that season, wanted desperately report of the opponent and then slowly situations in his head, thinking about to play in that game, especially after works his way into an energized mass just what UW coach Bo Ryan wants him to do hearing the taunts from the Izzone all before game time. and what the Badgers have to do as a game. group. And then he heads out onto the "I look at the clock and I know I'm about court. He said he likes tonight's venue "As soon as I saw it (Hill miss the first to get on the bus and something clicks because he has a fondness for Breslin and free throw), that was the motivation I into another mode," he said. "A surge of the noisy Izzone student section. needed. That was fuel to give them energy goes through me." something back right there," Tucker AT BRESLIN CENTER recalled. "That was fun." Once on the bus, Tucker sits in the back seat with his headphones on and begins to "I look over and see that white and green But not nearly as fun as it could be sing. Usually he's listening to Lil Wayne and I get prepared because I know they tonight at Breslin with a No. 1 ranking but makes up his own lyrics for all to are going to bring everything for us," and a Big Ten regular-season title riding hear. Tucker said. "I have a great feel on that on the outcome. "You can't ask for court. That court is really nice and the anybody to give us anything," Tucker "He'll look up and we'll be laughing at rims are really nice. I always get the said. "Everything is in our hands." him and then he'll crack up," said shooter's touch on it. So it's one of those sophomore swingman Joe Krabbenhoft. places where I feel really comfortable Tucker never ceases to amaze Taylor. "He'll make up a couple of lines rapping, playing." "He's just adding to his legacy, the way singing about J.P. (Gavinski) or he steps up on the road in situations something. It's just funny. He has fun What Tucker has learned from Ryan is where we really need him," said Taylor, with it." that it helps to thoroughly respect your who then smiled as he stated the obvious, opponent before trying to defeat it. "It's really good to have a player like that By the time the Badgers reach the locker There's no question that he respects on your team." room, Tucker's a non-stop talker as he Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, his works his teammates into a frenzy. teams and the Spartans' fans.

"Knowing that my teammates are ready, I "As a player I love playing in that kind of feel more energized," he said. "I'm environment because you have something constantly talking in the locker room to prove. The Izzone is always tough on before the game and to see them get Wisconsin teams. We know that going in. motivated doubles my energy. Then I That's good, though. There's a lot of know we're ready. We're all ready." tradition in just playing there and knowing the teams that have played Krabbenhoft said Tucker won't let his there," he said. "It's going to be great. Us teammates get nervous or scared before being part of that tradition and being able any game, big or small. "He's like an to play on a floor like that is great for the older brother when you're scared at night. Wisconsin program." Tuck will take care of us and we know that," he said. Tucker wants the Spartans to be at their best tonight because he knows it will Remarkably, once the game starts, Tucker bring out his best. And he knows his best finds a way to channel his energy so he will help the Badgers win. Tucker an all-around slam dunk

Wisconsin State Journal

TOM OATES March 2, 2007

If you want to truly understand Alando things that way, but it's hard to root for people that make you feel like that when Tucker, then Marcus Landry, Tucker's those guys. It's very easy to root for you're around them." teammate and roommate at the University Alando Tucker." of Wisconsin, has a suggestion for you. Tucker is one of those people because his A sampling of answers to the question - teammates are, in his words, his brothers. Locate the Sports Illustrated cover from What's the best thing about Alando Mostly little brothers at this point, but last November that had Tucker peeking Tucker? - reveals that Moore isn't alone. brothers nevertheless. out from behind Badgers teammate Brian Butch and take a look at Tucker's face. Center Jason Chappell: "Just his Landry and Stiemsma talk about how personality. Getting all the attention he's Tucker took them under his wing when "Just the smile he has on his face and the gotten this year, he's still the same down- they were sidelined by academic look he has on his face, that picture, that to- earth person. He's a real genuine guy. problems last season. Joe Krabbenhoft shot right there shows a lot about his He's never gotten a big head or anything." talks about how Tucker, who missed the character and how he is," Landry said. 2003-04 season with foot problems, "He's always smiling." Landry: "His sense of humor. He's always picked him up and drove him to the joking around, making people laugh. He hospital when Krabbenhoft thought he Just like the teammates, coaches and fans always has a smile on his face and just had reinjured his foot last summer, then Tucker has touched in his five years at seeing that all the time is good." stayed at the hospital far longer than UW. necessary just to reassure Krabbenhoft Assistant coach Greg Gard: "Just how he and keep his spirits up. When Tucker plays his final home game treats everybody. No matter if he has today against Michigan State, UW will known you for five years or meets you for Moore talks about how Tucker, though say farewell to one of its greatest the first time, he greets you with the same very busy at the time, was the first player basketball players. Tucker is 49 points smile and the same personality. He to sign up when he asked for volunteers from breaking Michael Finley's school always has time for people. He doesn't to help open the new Boys and Girls Club scoring record. He's a candidate for big-time anybody." on Allied Drive last summer. Gard says national player of the year and should Tucker is never down and talks about become UW's first All- American in 57 Center Greg Stiemsma: "He's always how he started pumping up his teammates years. He has played in a school-record been there. He made that known to me almost immediately after Sunday's 98 wins and led the program to places it last year that if I needed anything, just disheartening loss to Ohio State. has never been, such as this season's 26 call him. And there were a few times I wins and No. 1 national ranking. did. I called him and he was more than Ryan raves about how Tucker lacks the happy to just talk or grab something to eat sense of entitlement that so many college Yet, as great as Tucker is on the court - or just hang out for a while. If you've got stars have today, how he played out of he's in a dead heat with Finley and Devin a problem and need to talk to somebody, position at power forward early in his Harris for the title of best at UW - his everybody knows you can talk to Tuck." career and never once complained that it basketball exploits are only the half of it. wasn't preparing him for the NBA, how Indeed, if you ask the people who are Coach Bo Ryan: "Just his presence. He he just worked hard every day to make around Tucker every day what is the best exudes a certain amount of confidence himself a better player. thing about him, you're in for a surprise without arrogance. He exudes (being) a because no one talks about his basketball competitor without being a braggadocio. Tucker's coaches and teammates could go ability. He's just a good person. Gosh, it's nice to on and on, but you don't need to listen to be around just good people that don't them for long to come up with the legacy "I think it's his character," assistant coach have a lot of other agendas. When I come he will leave at UW: Tucker the person is Howard Moore said. "You can have guys in and I'm around Alando, it's like being better than Tucker the basketball player, that have questionable character come in at home. It's like a family. There are and Tucker the basketball player is as and score a lot of points or do some good good as it gets. T&T is dynamite

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz March 2, 2007

Think of the best scoring duos in the history of the University Tucker and Chappell were part of Ryan's first recruiting class of Wisconsin men's basketball program and a few instantly and have been posterchildren for the success of redshirting. come to mind: Taylor has been a symbol of what an ultracompetitive coach and an ultracompetitive point guard can create during four Michael Finley and Tracy Webster. Devin Harris and Mike years of hard work together. Wilkinson. Danny Jones and Trent Jackson. Tucker and Chappell were members of a Big Ten Conference None of them compare statistically to Alando Tucker and regular-season champion as freshmen while Taylor was part of Kammron Taylor. They will finish their careers at Wisconsin the Big Ten tournament title team during his freshman year. this season as not only the winningest scoring duo in program Chappell and Tucker were on that team, too, but they both history but most likely the highest scoring duo, too. took their medical redshirts that season.

They are 35 points short of overtaking Finley and Webster in a They all took part in one NCAA tournament run to the Elite scoring category that only includes points scored when both Eight, while Tucker and Chappell also were part of another players were active members of the team. run to the Sweet 16. And they've been the senior leaders on this year's team, which reached No. 1 in the Associated Press (Their total of 2,823 points doesn't include Tucker's points Top 25 poll for the first time in school history and has already scored as a freshman because Taylor was still in high school. set the season record for most wins. Also, 16 of Taylor's 21 points scored as a freshman aren't included because they came after Tucker's foot injury that led "I don't know what else you could do other than look at their to a medical redshirt season). accomplishments, and that will tell you what they have done," said Ryan, who also lauded the threesome for their "That's tight. It will be a great accomplishment," said the 6- outstanding efforts in the classroom and in the community. foot-2 Taylor, who was excited to learn that they could possibly break the Finley-Webster mark of 2,857 points on And then he paid them a high compliment when he shrugged Senior Day when the fourth-ranked Badgers (26-4, 12-3 Big and said, "Man, just be around them. They are good guys." Ten) play Michigan State (21-9, 8-7) Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center. Taylor said the seniors' individual and group accomplishments would not matter as much if they lost more games than they It may not be the only milestone set during a special day when won during their careers. Tucker, Taylor and fellow senior Jason Chappell will be honored as the program's winningest senior class during pre- For instance, Taylor, who has been a part of 95 wins at game and post-game festivities. Wisconsin, believes that he and Tucker bonded as scorers on the floor together because they share a common denominator The 6-foot-5 Tucker, who already owns six career school that "is all about winning. We want to win as much as records and is on the cusp of owning two more, also needs to anybody that you'll probably meet. Coach Ryan is the same score 14 points to become just the fourth Wisconsin player to way. I'm glad to be a part of something like that." reach 1,000 career points in Big Ten Conference games. And he needs 27 points to surpass Devin Harris's record for most Ryan echoed Taylor's comments when he said, "No matter points scored in a season (624), set in 2003-04. what era, the fact that two guys can make that kind of a statement and win, that's the important thing. UW coach Bo Ryan spoke thoughtfully when asked to talk about all that his seniors have done during their careers at "So putting together those kind of numbers is wonderful. What Wisconsin. makes it even better is the fact that they played in NCAA tournaments every year and have been part of winning teams," Ryan added.

Tucker, who has been a part of 98 wins at Wisconsin, looked UW'S TOP SCORING TANDEMS back at his years playing with Taylor and remarked at how little they spoke to each other on the court. 1. Michael Finley/Tracy Webster (1991-94) — 2,857 points

"It's been a relationship where we've always understood each 2. Kammron Taylor/Alando Tucker (2003-07) — 2,823 other," Tucker said. "I understand everything he goes through just by looking at him." 3. Danny Jones/Trent Jackson (1986-89) — 2,776

Off the court it was a different matter because their games did 4. Devin Harris/Mike Wilkinson (2001-04) — 2,471 not mature at the same pace. While Tucker has been a major cog in the Badgers' attack since his first days on campus, 5. Claude Gregory/Wes Matthews (1977-80) — 2,446 Taylor hardly played as a freshman and has steadily improved but is still working to gain Ryan's confidence. 6. Rick Olson/Scott Roth (1982-85) — 2,217

"Before this year I could see myself almost coaching Kam at times, trying to help him through situations," Tucker said. "This year we've shared. We'd both be coaching someone else together. That's how our relationship has evolved. We share respect and an understanding of the game. That makes it easier for me."

Tucker joked about ending his regular-season career at Wisconsin much like it began. In his 10th career Big Ten game in 2003, he took a pass from Devin Harris and dunked the ball just before the buzzer sounded, signifying their 64-53 win over Michigan State at the Kohl Center.

The play incensed Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who thought Harris and Taylor were rubbing it in. "I will remember that," Izzo said as he walked to shake Ryan's hand after the game.

Tucker said he'd love to have a chance to be on the floor and go up for a dunk at the end of another Wisconsin victory over Michigan State Saturday afternoon.

"That right there is a perfect scenario," said a laughing Tucker, who would want to have Taylor get the assist. "If I had control over that, that's how I would set it up."

Added a smiling Taylor, "I wouldn't do it just because coach Izzo is there. I'd do it so the fans could get one last look at the Taylor-Tucker connection."

Best man Wakeup call alerts Tucker that he's Big Ten player of the year

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By MARK STEWART Posted: March 6, 2007

Madison - Alando Tucker was still is a big deal," Tucker said after points and 1.9 assists in Big Ten play. enjoying a sweet dream when the practice Tuesday evening. "I He scored a season-high 25 points in news hit the streets. understand that, but I can't be a three-point victory over Ohio State satisfied. Ever." on Jan. 9 and closed the conference Kammron Taylor was the first to let season by hitting the winning three- his teammate know he was named the Tucker, who was also the Wisconsin pointer against Michigan State. Big Ten Conference's player of the recipient of the Big Ten year via text message. When Tucker sportsmanship award, was honored "It is a tribute to the program as well didn't respond quickly enough, Taylor three days before third-ranked UW as their personal achievements that followed up with a phone call. (27-4) begins its pursuit of a Big Ten they were recognized," UW coach Bo tournament title at the United Center Ryan said of Taylor, Flowers and Some news is too good to sleep in Chicago. Butch in a press release. "They have through. each played a large role in our success He was joined on the coaches' first as a team this season." "It was early. I was just waking up," team by Purdue forward , Tucker said. "Nine, 10 (o'clock)." a senior from Milwaukee Vincent, Ohio State swept the other individual Ohio State center Greg Oden, Iowa awards. Tucker, a 6-foot-6 senior forward guard Adam Haluska and Michigan who averaged 19.7 points and 6.1 State guard Drew Neitzel. On the Thad Matta was named coach of the rebounds in conference play, received media's team, Ohio State guard Mike year, an award given only by the the player of the year honor from both Conley Jr. replaced Landry. media, for the second consecutive the coaches and media and was the season. only unanimous choice on the A first-team pick last season, Tucker's coaches' team. selection extends the Badgers' streak Oden was named freshman of the of first-team all-conference players to year and defensive player of the year He joins Devin Harris, the 2004 six years, the longest streak in the Big while freshman forward Daequan winner, as the Badgers' only league Ten. Cook received the sixth man of the players of the year, an award that year award. dates to 1985. Former Badgers Glen Tucker was one of four Badgers Selbo (1947), Don Rehfeldt (1950) honored. They each played a large role in Ohio and Harris were named the league's State beating Wisconsin for the Big most valuable player by the Chicago Taylor was a second-team selection Ten regular season title, but on Tribune. by the media and the coaches. Junior Tuesday they all took a back seat to guard Michael Flowers made the Tucker. Tucker joins an elite fraternity that league's five-man all-defensive team includes Ohio State's , and received honorable mention from "Being honored as the Big Ten player Purdue's Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson the media. Junior forward Brian of the year is the icing on the cake for and Michigan State's . Butch received honorable mention what has been an outstanding five from the coaches. years," Ryan said. "It is nice to see "You look back at a lot of the players that his hard work has culminated in in the Big Ten over the years and to Taylor, who received honorable such a prestigious individual honor." say that you're the player of the year mention last year, averaged 12.5 A place among the stars

Tucker on verge of school records

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By MARK STEWART Posted: March 8, 2007

Chicago - Five years ago, around It is truly a dream scenario when you of 1,854 points Danny Jones established Christmas, Lockport Township High School consider that it will take place at home; from 1986-'90. The Badgers won that game, coach Larry Thompson pulled his star Lockport is a Chicago suburb. 74-67, and had an overall record of 58-57 player aside for a heart-to-heart talk. during Finley's tenure. "(It brings) added flavor to the sweet taste," The team was underperforming and he said. "We're going to go down there and Tucker's Badgers are 99-33 during his Thompson wanted more from his most we're going to have a lot of fan support and tenure although, because of injuries, he has talented player. If you want to be I'm going to have a lot of fan support. . . . played in 96 victories. He has watched recognized as a good player, he said, your That is going to be great for everyone that videotape of Finley's teams and was team has to win games and the best way for has followed me thus far my whole career." impressed with the energy and smarts that to happen is to play within the team Finley brought to the game. concept. Some of Tucker's biggest cheerleaders have been the people at Lockport. Though he "Finley, he always seemed to be in the right "That's what good players do," Thompson graduated in 2002, more than a few students spots and picked the right points," Tucker told Alando Tucker. "If their teammates see know him beyond the guy they watch play said. "He played both ends of the floor and that good players can play within a team on television. Some grew up in the same that's what stood out about him. When he concept they're going to feel more neighborhood or played basketball with his was on offense, he was going 100 miles confident, they're not going to be in awe of brother on Lockport's sophomore team. (per hour). When he was on defense it was you." Some of them have played with Tucker the same thing." during pick-up games in the summer. Ever since then, Alando Tucker has proven What Thompson remembers about his that it is possible to be a star player without The faculty hasn't forgotten him, either. former player is his thirst to learn the game putting yourself ahead of the team. When Wisconsin played at Northwestern and work ethic. Others at Lockport simply last season, 30 to 40 members to school's shake their head thinking about what How else do you can explain why the staff took a bus to Evanston, Ill., to watch Tucker, their former office aide, has Badgers can win their 100th game in the game. become. Tucker's four-plus seasons on the same day he can break the school's all-time and "When he came out, he was taken aback by If he gets the record, you can bet there will single-season scoring records? how many former teachers were there," be a lot of smiles on campus. His success is Thompson said. their success. That's the task that awaits the 6-foot-6 forward today when the University of As it turns out, Finley is a fan, too. "The whole school is proud," Thompson Wisconsin's third-ranked men's basketball said. "He has done a nice job of showing team (27-4) plays Michigan State (22-10) in He and Tucker haven't spoken directly but class and of what can really happen here the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament often send messages to each other through when you work hard and do what you need at the United Center at approximately 5:40 UW assistant Howard Moore, a teammate to do." p.m. of Finley's at UW. When Moore and Finley spoke earlier this week, Finley asked for Tucker's cell phone number so that he could The recently-crowned Big Ten player of the personally congratulate him. year needs one more point to break Devin Harris' single-season scoring record of 624 "He is a big fan and not just of Alando but points set during the 2003-'04 season and 23 of the program," Moore said. points to surpass Michael Finley's school scoring record of 2,147 points, which he Finley has held UW's scoring record since accumulated from 1991-95. Jan. 14, 1995, when he surpassed the mark The best of Alando Tucker

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz March 9, 2007

When Andy North was asked to select his which of the 129 games he has played so far favorite Alando Tucker game with the for Wisconsin are their favorites. "I was not scheduled to do that game and I University of Wisconsin men's basketball offered to do that game because I was in team, the two-time U.S. Open golf champ (To post your own favorite memory of Alando (Milwaukee) to do the Marquette game that grinned and quickly selected the game of life. Tucker, click here.) evening. ... I convinced my boss at ESPN that Alando Tucker, candidate for player of the North recalled the 2004 NCAA tournament North wasn't the only one who selected the year, should have a sideline reporter there for when Wisconsin played its first- and second- game of life. Senior team manager Laura Hoff his last home game. round games in Milwaukee and Tucker was mentioned that she'll always remember Tucker sitting them out as part of his medical redshirt leading the Badgers during their grueling "The game sticks out the most just because I season. twice-weekly runs up Elver Hill this past fall had to speak with Brian Butch and (coach) Bo and how it helped set the tone for a record- (Ryan) and everybody was in the frame of But that didn't mean Tucker wasn't actively breaking season that continues tonight when mind that this was it, goodbye and just the involved. When North and his wife, Susan, third-ranked Wisconsin (27-4) takes on (kind) things that came out of people's mouths finished dinner the night before a game, they Michigan State (22-10) in a second-round Big about Tucker and what a person he is. arrived at the team's hotel and rode the Ten tournament game at the United Center in elevator up to the players' floor around 10:30. Chicago. "And then, when he got hot in the game and I The doors opened and North immediately remember a 3 that he drained, he ran right by caught site of Tucker sitting in a chair in front Every year the Badgers finish their fall me and he had this expression on his face that of the elevators. conditioning by running up and down Elver showed he was enjoying the game so much. Hill 20 times. But this year was different. And when he set the screen for Kam Taylor "I said, 'Tucker what are you doing?'" North Tucker convinced them to do it 21 times. and he made the shot, the two were embracing related, "and he said, 'Nobody gets in and right in front of me and it was so special. nobody gets out.' He had appointed himself "He wanted them to go beyond where any sentry to make sure there were no problems. team had gone," said Hoff. "I thought that was "He's like LaDainian Tomlinson - he's almost That's when I figured out this guy was going a cool thing." too good to be true, just watching him and to be special. He knew what he was doing and reading all the stuff about him. I stayed after everything was going to be just fine." That definitely was cool as the Badgers have the game a little bit to watch the special gone on to set school season records for ceremony they had for the (seniors) afterwards Milwaukee, of course, was the hometown of overall wins, Big Ten wins (13) and wins at and just watching him getting the applause many of the Wisconsin players, such as Devin home (19). They also won 17 straight games from everybody, that was just a neat thing to Harris, Boo Wade, Freddie Owens and Ray and were ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press be a part of." Nixon. Tucker knew they had plenty of Top 25 for the first time in school history. admirers. And Tucker was named the Big Ten's player GOV. JIM DOYLE, longtime season ticket- of the year by both the coaches and media. holder "As he finishes explaining why he's playing UW 59, Iowa 56 sentry," North continued, "the doors open to Tucker has been a part of a school-record 96 Big Ten tournament semifinal an elevator full of girls and college kids. wins at Wisconsin and has played in eight United Center, Chicago Tucker looks right at them and says, 'Nope,' NCAA tournament games. From here on out, March 12, 2005 and the elevator doors close and they go right our focus will be specifically on Tucker's best back down." games and those who counted themselves as Tucker finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 lucky to have witnessed them. shooting and made the game-winner on a Ask anyone who knows or watched Tucker for running 3-pointer at the buzzer. the past five years and they will tell wonderful ERIN ANDREWS, ESPN sideline reporter stories of his great strength, athleticism and UW 52, Michigan State 50 "I'll never forget when Alando banked that 3- street smarts. Kohl Center pointer in at the buzzer to send the Badgers to March 3, 2007 the Big Ten tournament finals. What a great In honor of Tucker closing in on the school's moment. all-time scoring mark held by Michael Finley Tucker had 26 points, three rebounds, two (he needs 23 points to break the record), we assists and set the screen that freed Kammron "Alando has many great attributes, like his asked some of Tucker's biggest fans to tell us Taylor for his game-winning shot on Senior passionate leadership of his teammates and his Day for Tucker,Taylor and Jason Chappell. dedication to academics. But, when it comes to the court, you can't help but like the fact GREG GARD, UW assistant coach works to get his points and his boards and that he broke Michael Finley's vertical leap UW 70, Marquette 66 that's what I remember about that game. It was record with a 38-inch jump. That vertical and Bradley Center, Milwaukee a tough game and he was the one who got it his incredible alley-oops have been a lot of fun Dec. 9, 2006 for us." to watch over the years." Tucker finished with 28 points on 13-of-22 CURT MUELLER, Mueller Sports (Doyle also mentioned Tucker's 12-point, shooting. Medicine, a major donor and ticket-holder four-rebound game during UW's 60-59 victory UW 89, Pitt 75 over Illinois at the Kohl Center on March 5, "It was Tucker going, 'It doesn't matter what Kohl Center 2003, that gave the Badgers the outright Big you do, we're not going to lose this game.' He Dec. 16, 2006 Ten title. Another that stood out was UW's 78- was going to take that game over whether it 73 win over Ohio State at the Kohl Center on was zone, man, press or no press. It was the Tucker had 32 points and 10 rebounds against Feb. 15, 2006, when Tucker had 27 points and Alando Tucker show. Other guys were playing the No. 2 Panthers on national TV. 16 rebounds). well, too, but it was like he was floating above everybody else. "That to me would be at the end of the list ERIN EAGAN, managing editor of Inside because of who they were playing, not the Wisconsin Sports magazine "There have been times in many games when number of points he scored, but the UW 89, Pitt 75 he was outstanding but in terms of combination thereof. I was sitting courtside Kohl Center maintaining that level for the longest period of and giving the other team hell. That was a Dec. 16, 2006 a game, that second half at Marquette was it. It good one." was like he was up there and everybody was Tucker had 32 points (10-of-17 shooting) and down there." HENRY PEREZ-GUERRA, UW athletic had 10 rebounds. trainer TERRY GAWLIK, UW associate athletic UW 59, Iowa 56 "He had the entire Kohl Center on their feet director for sports administration Big Ten tournament semifinal the entire game. It was just amazing. I think UW 59, Iowa 56 United Center, Chicago everyone knew at that point that it was going Big Ten tournament semifinal March 12, 2005 to be a special season because of him." United Center, Chicago March 12, 2005 "Making the final shot against Iowa, I was in AL FISH, UW associate vice chancellor shock. I think that was the first time I tried to UW 60, Illinois 59 Tucker had 20 points (7-of-12 shooting) and remotely hug coach Ryan. That was my Kohl Center hit a running3-pointer at the buzzer for the mistake." March 5, 2003 win. JOHN POWLESS, John Powless Tennis Tucker had 12 points, four rebounds and "The banked 3." Center and former UW coach blocked Dee Brown's layup with 18 seconds UW 75, Minnesota 62 left. BRIAN LUCAS, UW sports information Williams Arena, Minneapolis director for men's basketball Feb. 14, 2007 "My all-time Alando Tucker memory is his UW 78, Ohio State 73 freshman year, basically guarding Kohl Center Tucker had 29 points on10-of-20 shooting and in the title game here at the Kohl Center. The February 15, 2006 had nine rebounds. place is packed. It's really Kirk Penney's team with Mike Wilkinson, Devin Harris and Tucker had 27 points,16 rebounds in a game "Nobody could knock the ball down at all. I Freddie Owens. They played a short bench that was one of the few bright spots of the remember that. And he just took it over. He then; they didn't have a lot of players and second half of the season. got it done. That was a game we could have Tucker drew Cook for most of the game and lost. And, as always, he stayed within the scored in double figures. Cook probably led "Tucker was 27 and 16 and he blocks team's structure of play. He took it over inside all scorers (25 points) but he had to work (Terence) Dials at the end of the game. We and he took it over outside and got it done. really hard and we ended up winning at the win that game because of him. If we don't win That may not hold up as the No. 1 matchup of end. that game we're looking at not going to the games we played this year, but we needed him NCAA tournament. And last year he was in that game. It was a road game and he got it "I remember talking about the freshmen being playing with all kinds of (ailments), which is done." there for when Wisconsin won the title how he played most of his career. He always outright for the first time in a long time. I has something nagging but he plays through it. "He always performs in another way to get it remember saying that was a pretty good That was Alando in the big games. done. There's always another way that his freshman to have that on your resume after performance comes to the front. He's just an your first year. I also remember (Brian) Butch "Ohio State was leading the conference at that amazing player." and (Greg) Stiemsma were in the crowd as point and Dials was player of the year. There recruits. Alando was the bridge between those was no bigger game and no bigger stage last two and that game was kind of his coming-out year. It wasn't a performance like the Pitt party as a leader." game (this season) when everything seemed easy. That's not how I think of Alando. He PAT RICHTER , former UW athletic VINCE SWEENEY, UW senior associate turned into a competitive, friendly rivalry. director AD for external relations Izzo is a great coach and I liked what he had UW 64, Michigan State 53 North Carolina 88, UW 82 to say about Alando and how he thought he Kohl Center NCAA regional final represented the Big Ten well for the past Feb. 11, 2003 Carrier Dome, Syracuse couple of years. To me that shows that, even March 27, 2005 though Wisconsin and Michigan State have a Tucker had nine points, five rebounds and a pretty good rivalry, there's great respect memorable dunk at the end of the game that Tucker finished with 25 points on 9-of-17 between the teams and the coaches." Spartans coach Tom Izzo promised to shooting as the Badgers came up just short in remember. their push for a second Final Four berth in five TIM VALENTYN, sports attorney years. Wake Forest 91, UW 88 "Whether Izzo likes it or not, you can't help Lawrence Joel Coliseum but like the Michigan State game when Tucker "He was unstoppable. He was going against Winston-Salem, N.C. slammed it down at the end of the game. It the best in the country and there was nobody Nov. 29, 2005 wasn't sticking it to them. I'm sure it was the on North Carolina who could stop Alando farthest thing from his mind. But when he gets Tucker in that game." Tucker had 27 points, of which 23 came in the out in the open, that's his trademark. ... That's second half when he returned to the game after how we think of him. We don't think of him as "And his freshman year against Kentucky breaking his nose. a free throw shooter or as a 3-point shooter (NCAA regional semifinal), I just remember even though he has gotten very good, you the one play that they caught in pictures when "Here's this spectacular athlete who is a think of him as being able to sky and get in the his head was above the rim. He was this little tremendous person on and off the court and air. old freshman playing big old Kentucky and he has great physical tools and a great mind for was just so far from being intimidated as the game. We knew all that. Not that I ever "And there was the Kentucky game (in the possible. It's one of the best pictures I've ever questioned his toughness, but when he left the 2003 NCAA tournament) when they got the seen of a Badger athlete." court and came out with a crooked nose and picture of him when he's almost looking at the ended up back on the floor, I remember rim. KAMMRON TAYLOR, UW teammate thinking that, 'You know what, that tells me UW 95, Eastern Kentucky 89 (OT) the kid has some toughness in him.' Not that I "Having watched him from afar this year, for a Paradise Jam Tournament ever doubted it, but breaking your nose isn't a guy who gets the hell beat out of him all the U.S. Virgin Islands whole lot of fun and he came back and played. time, he has been an amazing player. He Nov. 19, 2005 That told me something. doesn't get any kind of break whatsoever. Against Ohio State he had a hell of a game. Tucker scored 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting "Against Minnesota up there this year (which And overall, this year, I don't know if it's from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. Wisconsin won 75-62 on Feb. 14) he scored a Tucker's leadership or Kam Taylor's or Bo's lot of points (29) and that's not why it's my coaching, who would ever have thought that at "It was his 38-point performance against favorite. My memory of that game is that Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State, the Eastern Kentucky. He couldn't miss that day. Minnesota kept coming at us and every time fans stormed the floor after beating That probably sticks out most for me, but he we needed something to happen, he did it. I Wisconsin? How many times has that ever had so many." remember him hitting a couple of 3s, I happened? Talk about a big turn." remember him making plays, grabbing some ANTONIO TUCKER, Alando's older rebounds. It wasn't the flashy dunks and it's KELLY RYAN, wife of UW coach Bo Ryan brother not the spectacular alley oops that I remember. Kentucky 63, UW 57 UW 64, Michigan State 53 I remember that game when a senior with a NCAA regional semifinal Kohl Center big target on his back just took over and every Metrodome, Minneapolis Feb. 11, 2003 time we needed something went and got it." March 27, 2003 "I remember his freshman year against UNLV DAVE ZWEIFEL, Editor, The Capital Tucker had four points,seven rebounds and when he had 24 points and 18 rebounds and Times was one of four Badgers to play the final 10 that really established him as a future force at UW 59, Iowa 56 minutes, 58 seconds as UW pushed the top- Wisconsin. I definitely liked that one. Big Ten tournament semifinal seeded Wildcats to the final minute. United Center, Chicago "But then there was the game against March 12, 2005 "The picture of Alando Tucker in the paper Michigan State when he kind of got on Izzo's where he was five feet off the floor was the bad side with the alley-oop at the end of the "That was just awesome and it personified the most awesome picture. We lost the game but game. That game with Devin Harris when they kind of clutch guy Tucker is." he jumped so high in that picture that he gave put one on Tom Izzo, that was a classic and it us a good indication of what we had to look started the great Michigan State-Wisconsin forward to in the future. He set the bar high - rivalry of the past few years. literally." "I have to say it's been a fun rivalry. I was reading about some of the nice stuff Izzo had to say about Alando just recently and it has Amazin' Alando

Tucker is state player of the year

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By MARK STEWART Posted: March 13, 2007

Kevin Durant. Greg Oden. Alando Tucker. lane that Ohio State coach Thad Matta won't Last weekend during the Big Ten tournament, soon forget. Oden got a hand on the ball as Bo Ryan wasn't going to get into a debate he broke Wisconsin's single-season and all- Tucker went up for the shot. But while in about who should be national player of the time scoring records. Consider them two of a flight, Tucker regained control of the ball and year or Big Ten player of the year when he multitude of highlights Tucker has flipped it over the 7-footer and into the basket. was asked about the topic a few weeks back. accomplished against Big Ten teams over the He didn't mince words, however, when years. "That's what great players do," Matta said. weighing Tucker's importance to the . "You watch the ball in his hands at the end of The high water mark for Tucker during his games, he wants to make the big play," Illinois streak of 20-point games was a 29-point "I don't care about a choice, but I'll tell you coach Bruce Weber said. "I don't think he performance at Minnesota. In the second half that I think: Tucker is more valuable to his fears anybody and so you enjoy watching of that game, there were two instances in team than anybody in the country," the players like that." which the Gophers quickly trimmed deficits of Badgers coach said. "You take Tucker off our seven and eight points to two and fired up the team (and) you take one guy off any other Tucker, who has 2,177 points at Wisconsin crowd. team. What team gets hurt the most?" and 676 this season, has scored 20 points or more 19 times in 2006-'07. His streak of seven Tucker silenced them quickly. straight 20-point efforts from Jan. 28 to Feb. Fortunately for the Badgers, Ryan's theory 17 was the longest stretch of 20-point games What struck Molinari about those plays is that hasn't been put to the test. for a Badgers player since Clarence Sherrod Tucker, who entered that game shooting 23% had seven straight 36 years ago. from three-point range against the Big Ten, Tucker, a 6-foot-6 forward, is the player who did it with threes, one of which was quite raised the Badgers from simply being a good Tucker also had the rare distinction of being a deep. team to one that was ranked No. 1 in the better player on the road than at home, nation and spent most of the season in the top averaging 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in It was surprising, then again it wasn't. Doing five of the polls. road games and 18.6 points and 4.9 points in whatever it takes to win has been his M.O. all games played at the Kohl Center this season. season. He is also the Journal Sentinel's state player of the year for the 2006-'07 season. "He's just fun to watch," Purdue coach Matt "I watched his emotion," Molinari said. Painter said. "He's really not fun to coach "There's a lot of players that play hard, but the "I don't know him personally, but I would just against." special players play to win, and he is one of tell you that he is a winner," Minnesota coach those. He really plays to win." Jim Molinari said. "There is no doubt about Tucker proved that plenty of times this season. that." Where would the Badgers have been without Tucker averages 19.9 points and 5.4 rebounds the 28 points he scored at Marquette when he per game for the Badgers, who earned a No. 2 turned back the Golden Eagles' late rally with seeding for the NCAA tournament and will consecutive baskets in the final 90 seconds? play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi about 1:50 He was at it again a week later, scoring 32 p.m. Friday at the United Center in Chicago. points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 14-point victory over then-No. 2 Pittsburgh that put The Journal Sentinel's honor is one of many Wisconsin in the upper echelon of the nation's Tucker has already claimed this year. The teams. National Association of Basketball Coaches made him a first-team All-American. The Big Against Ohio State in January, he came back Ten coaches and the reporters who cover the from a slow start to post 10 points and three league made him a consensus pick as the assists in the second half of a 72-69 victory. conference player of the year. Among his baskets was a circus shot in the Tucker's court vision comes from Lockport

Wisconsin State Journal

JESSE OSBORNE March 17, 2007

LOCKPORT, Ill. -- The 12 overhead lights cast a the University of Wisconsin men's basketball When Tucker was 14, his older brother, Antonio, yellowish hue on the basketball court inside the team - but Fairmont has never really been out of left for the Army. That left Tucker as the oldest Fairmont Community Center. sight, or out of mind. male in the household.

A pair of stanchions jut from cream-colored "It's been awhile," Tucker said. "I ride past it a "It was a crucial point in my life, because my walls, supporting hoops that stand roughly 25 lot, though. I get a chance to see it all the time." brother had been my father figure," Tucker said. steps apart. Their once-white rounded "He was pretty much the father figure for me and backboards are now a shade of charcoal And Tucker assuredly has a different kind of my younger brothers and sisters. So when he left, following years of battering from vision for the Fairmont Community Center down I was the next man in line. Now I had to be that bounced on a tile surface that matches the 48- the road. model to my younger brother and sister." year-old building's halls. Rough beginning Tucker took on additional responsibilities, taking Portrait murals ring the walls surrounding the care of his older sister, who is mentally court, added a few years back. Malcolm X, During Tucker's early years, he lived at the challenged, and younger brother and sister while Thurgood Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., all epicenter of one of Joliet's worst neighborhoods, his mother worked to make ends meet. of them have seen their fair share of basketball. a place where gangs, guns, alcohol, drugs and violence were prevalent. Before Antonio Tucker left for the Army, he and All of them, though, came on the scene too late Alando made a pact. Neither would drink, do to witness the development of perhaps the best "The situation was scary," Tucker said. "We had drugs, smoke or get tattoos. basketball player to set foot on that court. two floors (to the house). We couldn't really be on the first floor at night. Bullets might fly While Antonio Tucker has admitted to trying It was here, inside a plain brick building at the through the house and you never knew what was alcohol while in the Army, Alando Tucker has intersection of Arthur and Barry Avenues, where going to happen. That was tough." kept up his end. Alando Tucker truly learned to play the game. Tucker said one of his first memories was His drink of choice when he goes out? Shirley Sure there were the games in the family's watching a Hispanic gang member get murdered Temples. backyard court with friends and neighbors but in his car while parked at a stop sign as Tucker, this, this was a different brand of basketball. one of his sisters and some friends played in a "Yeah, I drink kiddie cocktails," Tucker said nearby yard. with a laugh. "I used to get teased a lot, but now "Pretty much when I made the move, the people respect it. They admire it to a certain transition from Joliet to Lockport, I originally "Seeing that as a kid, that's devastating," Tucker extent." played basketball in my backyard," Tucker said. said. "All I knew was death, murder, alcoholism, "Fairmont Community Center had a lot of drugs, violence. I didn't know anything else. I Growing game tradition, I guess, before I moved to Lockport. thought everybody went through that." And a lot of guys that had been successful at Tucker was accomplished enough to be one of Lockport High School went there and played. I Another scary instance came when Tucker said the rare players who made Lockport's varsity remember one time, one of the older guys told he was 8 or 9 years old. A man being chased by team as a freshman. He didn't see much time that me to come and play. rival gang members crashed through a lower- season, though, because his coach preferred to level window of Tucker's house. play upperclassmen. "I went there and it was an older crowd, bigger guys. Much bigger than me. Going there was an Yet another came shortly thereafter when a bullet But he started to blossom as a sophomore when experience. I could tell the guys there were ripped through the home's front door, falling to new Lockport coach Larry Thompson allowed serious all the time about playing basketball. And rest near Tucker's mother, Lisa, who was holding Tucker to put his abilities to use. that's where I really learned my competitive her infant daughter. nature. Playing there, going there with my "I saw a kid that had a wealth of talent, who was brother, being the little guy among all the big "I say God sent signs," Tucker said. "We had two willing to work," Thompson said. "I thought he guys. I had to find a way to compete." strikes. ... I remember my mother saying we had a lot of potential because of his work ethic, weren't going to wait for a third." and he was gifted." Tucker, who said he made his first journey to the Fairmont Community Center when he was in the About a month later, Lisa Tucker and her five Over the course of his sophomore season, fifth or sixth grade, showed up nearly every day children found a new home in Lockport. colleges started to show interest. The first letter until he was in his final years of high school. came from Kentucky, and was delivered to Mature beyond years Tucker in one of his classes. Tucker hasn't been back for a few years - he's been busy carving out an illustrious career with Eventually, other schools, including UW, Ohio, missed the rest of the season and was down, it touches you. I don't want to let that die. became aware of Tucker's burgeoning talents. forced to take a medical redshirt. I figured the memories I had there, it doesn't have to stop." UW-Parkside coach Luke Riegel, who played for "It was very frustrating, to the point where I was UW coach Bo Ryan when Ryan was at UW- down on myself a lot," Tucker said. "At times Tucker hopes to make sure Fairmont lives on. Platteville, saw Tucker during a summer during practice, I would just have to walk out, I tournament and passed along his name to the couldn't watch it." One of his goals is to build a community center Badgers' basketball offices. in Lockport, and his preference is to expand or He returned the next year and averaged 15.2 build a new Fairmont. "Having been around coach Ryan, the first things points and 6.1 rebounds, helping UW advance to that stood out to me was how hard (Tucker) the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, despite And he's a lot further along than you might think. played and how hard he competed. He fit with a series of nagging injuries. the system," Riegel said. "I just thought he could Tucker wrote a 19-page paper for a class, play, you could find a position for him. . . . He As a junior last season, Tucker averaged 19 detailing his plans, from construction to content, just stood out. I just thought he was one that was points and 5.7 rebounds on his way to becoming researching similar ventures undertaken by slipping through the cracks." a first-team All-Big Ten pick. former NBA stars Magic Johnson and Kevin Johnson. Ryan dispatched a pair of assistants - Rob Jeter Again, though, injuries were an issue. After and Tony Bennett - to go see Tucker. breaking his nose against Wake Forest in the "I feel, coming from an area, a place where fifth game of the season, he was unable to there's not a lot of hope, that gives another Both were impressed, but it was Bennett who breathe through his nose the rest of the way. He option," Tucker said. "And I could help provide became Tucker's primary recruiter and, also had knee surgery following the season. that hope, that opportunity that I was given." according to Tucker, one of the primary reasons he chose the Badgers. At the outset of this season, Ryan said it was his Tucker's plan calls for a large indoor basketball hope Tucker would finally have an injury-free court, of course, and a large field for baseball and Tucker had already taken an unofficial visit to year to show what he could do. football, as well as an outdoor track. Marquette in the summer between his sophomore and junior seasons. Eventually, Bennett got On that point, Tucker has stayed relatively There would also be an emphasis on academics. Tucker to take an unofficial visit to UW during injury-free - though he did suffer a right thumb Tutors would be available, a computer lab would the summer between his junior and senior injury that bothered him for a stretch. be on site and classes would be held to help high seasons. school students prepare for SAT and ACT He's healthy - and it shows. exams. Music programs would also be offered. Tucker and Thompson made the trip and toured the campus, met with some players and the Tucker, who was named the Big Ten's Player of Additionally, Tucker wants to incorporate coaching staff before heading back to Lockport. the Year, is averaging 20 points and 5.4 rebounds programs for senior citizens and, for that matter, going into today's NCAA tournament second- everybody in the community. Tucker had seen everything he needed to see. round game against UNLV at the United Center in Chicago, and is now playing at the level he "I want it to be a center of hope for everyone, "After I came here and talked to Tony, I was like, aspired to all along. and not just only kids. I want to have something 'This is where I'm going to be.' for everyone." "(Playing at this level) seemed realistic to me "I knew. I drove back home that night and I five years ago," said Tucker, who became UW's Two connected lots of land next to the Fairmont called Tony later that night and told him (UW) is all-time leading scorer at last week's Big Ten Community Center are for sale, and Tucker said where I wanted to be." Conference tournament. "But unfortunately for some people from the Lockport Township Park injuries, I couldn't play to my potential. Now, I District wrote the UW basketball offices recently Finally healthy again feel I'm that player I could have been a long time in order to talk to him about his plans. ago." Tucker exploded onto the scene his freshman "It seems like things are starting to fall in place," year at UW, scoring in double figures in three of New hope for Fairmont Tucker said with a smile. his first five games off the bench. The handle of one of the front doors of the "Once I see the building there, it will be a dream By the sixth game, the 6-foot-5 forward was a Fairmont Community center is broken. Patches come true for me. When basketball ends. . . that starter. And he made his starting debut a of blue - once the color of the gym's walls - can right there, I know I've built a legacy. That's memorable one, scoring 24 points and grabbing be seen in several spots where the topcoat has something that's going to last and affect kids for 18 rebounds in a victory over UNLV at the Kohl chipped away. generations, and that's going to go much further Center. than anything I do on the court." A rusted swing set sits about 50 feet from the As good as his freshman season was (12 points, front doors. The grass is overgrown in front of 5.9 rebounds per game), even bigger things were the baseball backstop across the street. The only expected of him as a sophomore. But that season sounds on a recent afternoon are the wailing of was derailed before it got started. dogs from a nearby house, and that of a car passing by. Tucker broke his foot running the Elver Park hill during summer conditioning, and missed the first "You remember so much, the things we used to six games of the season. He returned to play in do there, the experiences we had there," Tucker four games, but re-injured the foot in a game at said. "Whenever something is becoming run End of the road is tough on Tucker, Taylor

The Capital Times

By Rob Schultz March 18, 2007

CHICAGO -- The effusive Alando Tucker when he joined Ryan and Tucker for the post- usually dominates the conversation when the "UNLV did a great job,'' said a battered and game press conference. University of Wisconsin men's basketball bruised Tucker, who finished his career as the team congregates in the locker room after a program's all-time leading scorer with 2,217 "Things just started to fall in the last couple of game. It doesn't matter if the Badgers win or points. "They were taking the ball out of my games in the second half,'' said Taylor, who lose, Tucker enjoys expressing his opinion on hands. They were coming at me with a lot of followed up his 24-point effort in the second some subject. guys.'' half against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by scoring 19 of his 24 points in the second half Yet Tucker was uncomfortably quiet after Meanwhile, Taylor's 24-point effort in his against UNLV. seventh-seeded UNLV eliminated the second- final game was closer to what he gave the seeded Badgers from the NCAA tournament Badgers over his final three years. In fact, he When asked to describe his level of frustration with a 74-68 upset victory Sunday afternoon scored fearlessly during a furious finish that after the Badgers were eliminated from the at the United Center. was, in many ways, a microcosm of his career tournament much earlier than their seed and at Wisconsin. pedigree would indicate, Taylor's voice didn't The younger Badgers waited for Tucker or waver. fellow seniors Kammron Taylor or Jason It started after he inexplicably fouled UNLV Chappell to say something. It never happened senior point guard Kevin Kruger, who was "This is not how I wanted to go out and I don't because this was an especially tough loss to attempting a 3-pointer at a crucial point of the think this is the way 'Tuck' wanted to, either,'' absorb. It meant the end of the special, record- game. Kruger calmly made all three free he said, adding later, "Our goal was to make a setting season for the Badgers (30-6), not to throws to complete the Rebels' 16-3 run that deep run in the tournament. Right now it mention the special careers of Tucker, Taylor gave them a 64-56 lead with 3:06 to go. stings but life goes on.'' and Chappell. UW coach Bo Ryan sat Taylor, like he always After the press conference, Tucker and Taylor It all left Tucker speechless. has after he made a bad mistake. But Taylor -- who finished as the greatest scoring combo stayed out for less than a minute because it in program history -- still couldn't start "That was the competitor still in him,'' said was obvious his scoring ability was needed on grieving because they had to meet with more sophomore Joe Krabbenhoft as he tried to the floor. When he got back in the game, reporters who were waiting for them in the explain Tucker's loss for words immediately Taylor -- like he has done so many other times locker room. after the game. "It will hit him that he played -- atoned for his mistake with a spectacular his last game pretty soon. Being the last, it's finish. Tucker was asked what he will miss the most. pretty different.'' The 6-foot-2 point guard from Minneapolis "The relationships I built with my teammates. It was against UNLV as a freshman when scored the Badgers' next 11 points and pulled That's the saddest thing,'' Tucker answered Tucker made his first career start at Wisconsin to within 70-67 with a drive and a quickly. Wisconsin. It was his sixth overall game with free throw with 59.3 seconds left. But the the Badgers and it turned out to be one of his Badgers got no closer, and Taylor stared at the "It's hard for me to look in their faces now greatest -- 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting and floor while holding the bridge of his nose with because we've done so much as a unit,'' he 18 rebounds. The latter mark would remain two fingers as the clock ran out on the game added. "It's great to have that support over the his career high. and his career. course of five years. I've made so many relationships with them. That's the toughest His last start with Wisconsin was much less Taylor, who finished his career in 15th place thing to have to leave.'' memorable as he was swarmed every time he on the all-time scoring list with 1,223 points, got the ball by two or three quick, active has been the Badgers' most emotional player Soon after Tucker's answer, reporters were UNLV defenders. He was still every bit the over the past four years and losses have told it was time to clear out of the Badgers' warrior he was throughout the season and always been hard on him. For instance, he locker room. Suddenly, Taylor was left alone finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, three couldn't hold back tears three weeks earlier as he sat in front of his locker. At that point he assists, one and no turnovers in 39 after he missed a free throw that could have couldn't hold it in any longer. bruising minutes. But he scored just one point helped the Badgers win at Ohio State. in the final 12:40, had just two field goals in Still in uniform, Taylor put his head in his the second half and missed the front end of a After this game, Taylor looked hell-bent on hands and wept. bonus with 2:58 left and the Badgers trailing keeping his composure. He certainly held up by eight points. Curtain falls on T&T boys

Wisconsin State Journal

TOM MULHERN March 18, 2007

CHICAGO - They will forever be linked in University "We're going to miss those three guys on the floor, but of Wisconsin men's basketball lore. we're probably going to miss them even more off the floor," junior center Greg Stiemsma said. "It was great to It will be tough to think of Alando Tucker without be on the floor with them, a fun group of guys to be mentioning Kammron Taylor. And vice versa. They around, just good people. I wish them the best of luck." spent the last three years helping take the Badgers to heights never experienced before. They did everything they could to keep it going a little longer. Tucker carried most of the load early. He "We can say we're one of the top duos ever to come out finished with 17 points, though he had just one point in of the University of Wisconsin," Taylor said quietly in the final 12 minutes, 40 seconds. the losing locker room Sunday at the United Center. "Slideshow Taylor continued his Jekyll-Hyde performance, scoring 19 of his 24 points in the second half, including 11 "We helped lead the team to the most (single-season) straight for the Badgers in the final 3 minutes after wins in school history. Hopefully, people will remember UNLV took a 64-56 lead. In his last five games, Taylor us for all the good things we brought to the university." scored 83 of his 90 points after halftime.

It didn't end the way either of them wanted, with UNLV "It's kind of frustrating, over the last couple games, that I putting a sour finish to the Badgers' NCAA tournament put up points in a hurry in the second half," Taylor said. Sweet 16 chances with a 74-68 victory. "I had a feeling, eventually, it was going to catch up with us and (Sunday) it did." Except for a lucky few, it almost always ends too soon. A horn blares, the crowd noise subsides and players are When it was over, Tucker stood momentarily with his left sitting in a somber locker room, wondering where head bowed, at the end of the line, waiting to shake the last four or five years just went. hands with the UNLV players. But it quickly passed.

"I'm an emotional person, especially when I lose," "I've had a great career here," Tucker said. "I've enjoyed Taylor said. "I hate to lose. I'm all about winning. To all my time here. Every time I've had the chance to step lose your final game, I'm pretty sure anybody, it would out on the court, I've made the most of it. I've always hurt, especially me being a senior." played my hardest. Every time I stepped on the court I've tried to do whatever the coaches asked of me, whatever Along with Jason Chappell, another fifth-year senior, my teammates expected of me, so I'm not disappointed they did plenty of winning, including a school-record 30 in myself at all. By no means." victories this season.

They were prolific scorers, Tucker finishing with a school-record 2,217 points, and Taylor adding 1,223.

Along with the selfless Chappell, they were even better teammates, according to the rest of the players in the locker room.