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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 17, 2016 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 27 FEATURE STORY STEVE GOTTER FRONT AND CENTER It was easy for Vitto Brown to slide into the shadow cast by classmate Nigel Hayes’ fast start. He’s also finding it easy to enjoy the spotlight that’s come with his newfound starring role. FEATURES WOMEN’S HOCKEY IN [FOCUS] LEADING THE WAY The week's best photos Sarah Nurse doesn’t label herself a THE VOICE pioneer, but the junior winger has Another hornet’s nest awaits DAVID STLUKA DAVID embraced her ability to impact those choosing to follow her footsteps. BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW WHAT TO WATCH LUCAS AT LARGE Where to catch the Badgers SOME SMALL STEPS ASK THE BADGERS What song defines your team? Bouncing back from a broken foot (again), freshman Brevin Pritzl STLUKA DAVID BADGERING considers the small steps he’s Annie Tamblyn (W. Swimming) taking to be a pretty big deal. INSIDE -SCROLLWOMEN’S FOR BASKETBALL MORE- Celebrating the senior class Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor/Designer Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Andy Baggot Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Chris Hall, Jerry Mao Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Steve Gotter, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: John Fisher, Cal Sport Media Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2016 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM For Pritzl, small steps are a big deal t’s one of the simple pleasures back on if it’s too slippery or wet you have it. And that’s what I’m in life. Walking. Brevin Pritzl out, so I don’t end up rolling it trying to do now. I want to get Iwill never take it for granted ― resulting in the same kind of myself in the best position, phys- again. Just last week, the Wis- ordeal.” ically and mentally, to be ready consin freshman guard got a The ongoing rehabilitation ― when I return.” refresher course in walking ― the ordeal ― has been emotion- A little over a month before walking without a protective blue ally draining, physically taxing the start of classes, Pritzl rolled boot on his left foot, which he and understandably insightful. It his left ankle and heard a “big broke in August and refractured has taught the 19-year-old Prit- pop.” At first, he thought maybe in December. zl, the all-time leading scorer at it was his shoes scraping against “Oh, gosh, it’s the greatest feel- De Pere High School, something the ground. “But after two more ing ever,” Pritzl said after getting about himself and how to operate steps, you realize you can’t put medical clearance to discard the under stressful conditions. any pressure on it,” he said. “I boot. “It’s a drag when you wake “You take a lot of things for thought I broke it.” up in the morning and you have granted when you play sports,” Much to his chagrin, the di- to strap on this big boot and then said Pritzl, who averaged 25 agnosis was confirmed: he lug it around. But now ― having points as a senior. “Playing bas- fractured the long bone on the two shoes on again ― it feels ketball almost every month for outside of his foot, the fifth meta- good just to be able to walk. the last six years and then having tarsal; a Jones fracture. Former “I told my family you don’t to sit out almost the entire year, UW point guard Traevon Jackson really understand how different it not being able to play, makes you had the same injury last season. is not being able to walk until you put things into perspective. Professionally, it has sidelined don’t get to do it for the six out of “The game is not always giv- Kevin Durant and Dez Bryant, seven months I was wear- en to you,” he has learned, among others. ing a boot. The only “and you have to do ev- After missing 19 consecutive reason I would put it erything you can when games, Jackson completed the DAVID STLUKA DAVID LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM “THE GAME IS NOT ALWAYS GIVEN TO YOU AND YOU HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN WHEN YOU HAVE IT.” “It’s always difficult to come in as a freshman and not be able to play whether it be with the scout team or with the starters,” said athletic trainer Henry Perez-Guer- ra. “Admittedly, Brevin has had his ups and downs. It’s an unfor- tunate injury; it’s a very difficult injury for basketball players. “But, overall, I’ve seen him mature. He’s very knowledgeable about the game. In fact, I enjoy rehab on his right foot and made able to take advantage of his sitting on the bench with him it all the way back to the court for perimeter shooting skills against during practices or games and the Badgers. Ten weeks removed Syracuse’s 2-3 zone defense. listening to his comments be- from surgery, he came off the On the eve of the Dec. 2 game, cause he understands the game bench against North Carolina in though, he reinjured his foot and what is going on out there. I the Sweet 16. while practicing. think he’s going to be a big asset After undergoing surgery in “I really don’t know how it to this team.” early August, Pritzl made it back, happened,” Pritzl said. “I was Wisconsin coach Greg Gard is too. On Nov. 15, the Badgers guarding Riley (Dearring, who thinking the same thing. swamped Siena, 92-65, at the has since transferred to Cal State “The first thing that jumps out Kohl Center. Bronson Koenig had Fullerton) and he stopped and I is that he’s a prolific perimeter 23 points, Vitto Brown had 16 stopped and when I went to plant shooter,” Gard said. “In the times and two freshman roommates, and jump up in the passing lane, we had him in practice, I’ve no- Alex Illikainen and Pritzl, saw I think that’s when it happened. ticed so much more in terms of their first playing action at Wis- That time, I knew for a fact that I his ability to raise the level of consin. broke it again.” play of everyone around him. It’s Illikainen had six points in sev- That unceremoniously ended not only how he moves without en minutes. Pritzl had one turn- his season and put him back in the ball but his ability to play with over in four minutes. the boot. Pritzl is now a strong the ball. “I always joke with my brother,” candidate for a medical hardship “He puts everybody else on Pritzl said, “I lead the team in waiver, which would still leave high alert because you never turnovers per minute.” him with four years of eligibili- know where the ball is coming Pritzl didn’t get into anoth- ty if granted. That would be the from. He’s got a little herky-jerky er game, though he was being proverbial light at the end of the type of dribble motion; he’s more groomed for a playing role. The tunnel, i.e. the UW athletic train- athletic than he looks and he Badgers felt like they might be ing room. has a swagger about him, too. LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 3 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM He knows that he’s going to be he’s listed at 6-foot-3, 185. He’s Coach (Bo Ryan) said I might a good player. He’s a very confi- now well over 200 pounds. Run- be needed, I figured I should do dent kid.” ning is in his future, even if it’s what I can to help this team. Pritzl, a coach’s kid, got his not Elver Park. “That has always been my shooting eye from his dad, Brian, Before the Nebraska game, motto ― help the team the best I a 1,000-point scorer at Valders Pritzl took 100 shots ― 50 from can.” High School. In a 1980 Class two-point range, 50 from beyond After getting injured, Pritzl felt B sectional semifinal game, he the 3-point arc. “I just wanted a little helpless, a little detached personally outscored Sturgeon to see where I’m at,” he said. “It at times. “It’s different because Bay, 22-6, in the third quarter. felt good. But I know that I can’t I didn’t always feel like I was a He finished with 34 points. After push myself over the limit. I’m super part of the team,” he said, graduation, he played at St. Nor- just trying to shoot as much as I “because the team was practic- bert College. can to keep my muscle memory ing and I was always down in the Brian Pritzl was the De Pere going.” training room trying to get better freshman coach before moving Last January, Pritzl had 41 so I could get back to the team.” up with the varsity to assist head points, including a 19-of-19 Nonetheless, he got through coach Brian Winchester.