THE CHAMPS ARE HERE Led by individual champion Mohammed Ahmed (far left), coach Mick Byrne and the UW men’s cross country team claimed a record 13th-consecutive Big Ten team title on Sunday. PHOTO BY WALT MIDDLETON IN FOCUS THE CHAMPS ARE HERE Led by individual champion Mohammed Ahmed (far left), coach Mick Byrne and the UW men’s cross country team claimed a record 13th-consecutive Big Ten team title on Sunday. PHOTO BY WALT MIDDLETON SPIN CYCLE Sophomore Tyler Barnes celebrates after scoring one of the Badgers’ most spectacular goals in recent memory on a spinning pass from Mark Zengerle last Friday vs. Nebraska Omaha. PHOTO BY DALE STEENBERG IN FOCUS SPIN CYCLE Sophomore Tyler Barnes celebrates after scoring one of the Badgers’ most spectacular goals in recent memory on a spinning pass from Mark Zengerle last Friday vs. Nebraska Omaha. PHOTOS BY DALE STEENBERG NOVEMBER 3, 2011 CONTENTS VOLUME 2, ISSUE 13 22 VOICE OF REASON Mike Taylor has always been one of the Badgers’ leading tacklers, but the ju- nior linebacker has also found himself in the role of leader in the locker room this season. 32 DEPARTMENTS « REVVED UP 10 LUCAS AT LARGE Ben Brust had the chance to by Mike Lucas meet one of NASCAR’s best 12 BEHIND THE DESK during the off-season, but by Barry Alvarez the sophomore’s focus now is stepping up and contribut- 14 BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW ing to a Badgers team that is preparing to drop the green 16 ASK THE BADGERS flag on the 2011-12 men’s Question of the Week basketball season. 18 5 THINGS TO WATCH 20 BADGERING 12 Jared Berggren » A GOOD START 58 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Tackling the Boilermakers Barry Alvarez likes recent NCAA moves for the welfare 60 THE VOICE of student-athletes but says by Matt Lepay more tweaks are needed. EDITOR’S NOTE Taylor poised for big finish Varsity is published weekly by: Wisconsin Athletic Communications n hindsight, the clutch 3-pointer he drained to force Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., overtime in a hostile road environment as a freshman was Madison, WI 53711 Iprobably a sign. At the time, however, Jordan Taylor’s clutch jumper against Subscribe to Varsity Iowa was just a great shot. After many more over the past three seasons, we now know View All Issues it was hoisted by a great player. His single-handed takeover of a late-season game against Penn State as a sophomore led you to believe he could be pretty special. Brian Lucas Taylor solidified that resume with a consistently fantastic Director of Athletic Communications season as a junior (the rally he sparked to lead UW past No. 1 Ohio State is probably listed as the first bullet point) and Brian Mason caught the nation’s attention in the process. Editor Of course, consistency is exactly what the UW men’s bas- ketball program has been built on. In 10 Mike Lucas years under Bo Ryan, it’s been 10 NCAA Lead Writer tournament appearances and 10 top- three Big Ten finishes for the Badgers. Matt Lepay What’s next for Taylor? The Associated Columnist Press thinks another great season is on tap, naming him to its preseason All- Drew Scharenbroch America team this week. Video Production BRIAN He’s just the second UW player to earn that distinction and the only senior on a Drew Pittner-Smith MASON five-man list that is otherwise composed Advertising of four sophomores from teams ranked No. 1-4 in both polls. Contributors Taylor’s All-America nod is interesting in another regard, Karl Anderson, Paul Capobianco, too. Players are placed on the preseason team because they’re Charlie Healy, Patrick Herb, expected to be among those contending for All-America hon- Ross LaDue, Diane Nordstrom, ors by the time everything shakes out in March. Anna Poulter-Hendrickson High preseason expectations — at least coming from those outside Madison — is a relatively rare idea for the Badgers Photography heading into a new season. David Stluka, Greg Anderson, UW is perennially dismissed from consideration for pre- Dale Steenberg, Neil Ament, season rankings because of key players it lost to graduation. Bob Campbell, Walt Middleton Yet, perennially, the Badgers prove the prognosticators wrong by filling those shoes, climbing the polls, contending in the Big Ten and returning to the NCAA tournament. Problems or Accessibility Issues? This year, however, the high expectations for Taylor match [email protected] those for his team, which enters the season ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and No. 14 in the coaches poll. So, with fewer people to “surprise” this season, can the Bad- © 2011 Board of Regents of the gers once again exceed expectations? University of Wisconsin System. With history as a guide, what reason do we have to believe All rights reserved worldwide. they won’t? LUCAS AT LARGE MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM Covington, Badgers working to get in tune anton Jones. Nicki Minaj. in it,’’ she said. “I define leadership Lecrae. “I define by doing what you say and being Anya Covington had a able to influence your teammates C leadership song in her head, if not her heart; to go in the direction that they need multiple songs and artists. by doing to go.’’ “I had to make the warm-up CD what you Covington, who hails from Ed- for our home games,’’ said Cov- wardsville, Ill., has been working ington, a senior on the Wisconsin say and in concert with co-captains Ashley women’s basketball team. “We being able to influence Thomas, a senior from Glenview, had to text the whole team and get Ill., and Taylor Wurtz, a junior everyone to send suggestions. your teammates to go in from Brandon, Wis. “After downloading all the songs the direction that they Acknowledging that the Badgers on iTunes, we put it together in the need to go.’’ are shorthanded — in terms of right mix so at the beginning we scholarship players — Covington have music we really like and at the said, “We’re going to outwork other end there’s stuff that the audience won’t play.’ I think everyone got teams because that’s what we have gets excited about also.’’ the memo. She’s very demanding to do.’’ Did first-year head coach Bob- but we need that — we need that Expectations are understandably bie Kelsey get to suggest any of her structure.’’ low given the graduation losses. own music? Kelsey made a good first impres- “But that’s alright,’’ Covington “There’s not too much old school, sion with Covington. “She’s pas- stressed, “we like being the under- which I’m a fan of,’’ Covington said, sionate, she’s trustworthy, she’s a dog.’’ “and I would say she’s old school, player’s coach,’’ Covington said. Transitions can be difficult. But too. But we’re going to try and get That was her view shortly after there have already been some en- her up to our speed.’’ Kelsey was hired to rebuild the couraging signs in advance of their Turnaround is fair play since that Badgers. exhibition opener Thursday night has been Kelsey’s mission — to get “I feel the same about her to- at the Kohl Center. the Badgers up to speed. day only deeper about all of those Since the first day of practice, “It’s been smooth, it’s been excit- things,’’ Covington said. “It’s very Covington said, “We’ve improved ing,’’ Covington said of the transi- important to trust your coaches and so much. Coach has used an anal- tion. “I was ready when it hap- to have a relationship where you ogy of a baby being born. At first, pened. It was actually a blessing in can go to them. it’s not the prettiest thing you’ve disguise for everyone that’s part of “And not only with basketball ever seen. this program.’’ but with other things and they’re “But after a few months, it starts Kelsey wants to play at a higher going to keep it separate so that to look better. We’re at that stage of tempo than previous UW teams. when you step in-between the lines, looking better.’’ She also wants everyone to get it’s about what’s in-between the She said that knowing that the touches and share the ball. lines and nothing else.’’ growth of this program will be mea- “That’s awesome for our person- It’s quite obvious that Coving- sured in baby steps. nel,’’ Covington said. “She told us ton has become a team leader, and “We’re all relying on each other,’’ from the start, ‘If you can’t shoot, enjoys the responsibility. Covington said. you won’t play. If you can’t run, you “I love it and I take a lot of pride Music to Kelsey’s ears. 10 » VARSITY NOVEMBER 3, 2011 LUCAS AT LARGE BEHIND THE DESK BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS NCAA moves a start, but there’s more to do CAA president Mark Em- award scholarships for multiple mert is attacking things, years instead of the one-year Nand it’s a positive. He renewable system that we’re cur- recognizes that there are issues rently working under. to be addressed and he’s address- I’m not crazy about it. ing them. And he has done so in a We don’t cut anybody loose timely manner. here, we don’t run anybody off, so Some sweeping reforms were I don’t see the need for it.