IN [FOCUS] TAP PHOTO TO ENLARGE BULL-ED STATEMENT Iowa rallied, but Wisconsin found a way to grind out a 26-24 win over the Hawkeyes last Saturday in Iowa City and announce that the road to the Big Ten West Division title would run through Madison a week later. Marcus Trotter (59), Konrad Zagzebski (91), Peniel Jean (21), Derek Landisch (30) and the Badgers walked out of Kinnick Stadium with the Heartland Trophy for the third-consecutive time. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] TAP PHOTO TO ENLARGE CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF There was nowhere to throw, but seniors Rob Havenstein (left) and Kyle Costigan made sure there was room to run for Joel Stave, who tucked the ball and covered 12 yards to convert a critical third down that allowed the Badgers to run out the clock on a 26-24 win over Iowa last Saturday. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] TAP PHOTO TO ENLARGE LIKE IT’S 1999 Wisconsin’s Sara Disanza turned plenty of heads ― including nearly the entire feld as she passed everyone but champion Kate Avery of Iona ― with her runner-up fnish at the 2014 NCAA Championship last Saturday in Terre Haute, Indiana. The sophomore’s showing was the best for a member of the Badgers’ women’s team since 1999. PHOTO BY WALT MIDDLETON IN [FOCUS] TAP PHOTO TO ENLARGE FOLLOW-THROUGH FRANK Frank Kaminsky reminded folks at home to always follow through, as he stroked in a season-high 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting ― including 4-for-5 from 3-point range ― in Wisconsin’s win over Boise State last Saturday at the Kohl Center. PHOTO BY STEVE GOTTER IN [FOCUS] TAP PHOTO TO ENLARGE 4-AND-OH, SO SWEET The No. 2 men’s basketball team had plenty to cheer about last weekend, cruising to a 78-54 win over Boise State and improving to 4-0 to begin a season for the eighth time in 14 years under Bo Ryan. PHOTO BY STEVE GOTTER CONTENTS NOVEMBER 27, 2014 ▪ VOLUME 5, ISSUE 15 SENIOR DAY SALUTE FOR THE FAMILY Inspired by their parents and motivated to honor the brother they lost far too young, twins Marcus and Michael Trotter have found ways to grow even closer during their time at UW. FEATURES BATTLE FOR THE AXE IN [FOCUS] IT’S BEEN A WHILE The week's best photos The last time the battle for Paul LUCAS AT LARGE Bunyan’s Axe had Big Ten title impli- Hayes gets even better cations, Ron Vander Kelen and Pat BEHIND THE DESK Richter were leading the Badgers. Team showing toughness THE VOICE Border Battle on big stage LUCAS AT LARGE BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW ‘THAT’S A BALL PLAYER’ WHAT TO WATCH Tune in to catch Badgers What did Nigel Hayes do after making a splash as Big Ten Fresh- BADGERING... man of the Year? Get back in the Duje Dukan (MBB) gym and get back to basics. INSIDE MEN'S BASKETBALL Upda es from Atlantis -SCROLL FOR MORE- 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 Matt Lepay Columnist Drew Scharenbroch 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, Steve Gotter, Jack McLaughlin, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: David Stluka Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2014 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS » UWBADGERS.COM Hayes’ focus? Get better on the boards isconsin sophomore “As far as the NBA, me being stands 6-7 and weighs 234, Nigel Hayes claimed a fan and student of the game, which is much less than he car- W that it was a “collective Kevin Love gets the highest ried around last year, prompting group of people” that hounded praise for being a great re- him to declare “This is arguably him during the ofseason to im- bounder,” Hayes said. “He’s a the best shape I’ve ever been in.” prove his rebounding. The critics walking double-double. He will As far as how it all relates to ranged from his AAU and high tell you that he’s not the most become a better rebounder, he school coaches to his family and said, “It’s more so anticipation friends. “So this year,” he said, just like being able to get steals “I had to make sure I changed on the defensive end; it’s know- that.” ing the percentages and chanc- As a freshman, Hayes averaged es. If a guy shoots on the right 2.8 rebounds with a season-high side, there’s a 90 percent chance of six, which he reached fve the ball is going to the left if it’s times, including against Baylor a miss. in the NCAA tournament. But he “So you try to get that position had just two rebounds against early, work around guys who are Arizona in the Elite Eight and trying to box you out and give none against Kentucky in the Fi- them a move here and there. nal Four (though he played only Coach always talks about trying seven minutes). to slide under and spin around. I “For the position that I played try to anticipate the misses and and the athletic ability I have,” STEVE GOTTER get there before they do. I think Hayes said, “it was a pretty terri- I’ve done pretty well so far.” ble thing for me to go out there That would be an under- and average only 2.8 rebounds. statement. Hayes had dou- Coach (Gary) Close always re- ble-doubles in two of his frst minds me how bad it was. It was “THIS IS ARGUABLY three games this season with 2.8 and no more than four (3.4 in THE BEST SHAPE rebounding totals of 10, 13 and Big Ten games), which was un- 11. Last Saturday night, he was I’VE EVER BEEN IN,” acceptable.” “held” to fve rebounds against Despite being recognized as HAYES SAID. Boise State while accounting for the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the “ 15 points, two assists and zero Year, Hayes took Close’s words athletic ‘big’ for his position by turnovers in 32 minutes. to heart. He also followed up on any means but he always ends Hayes’ emergence has not the UW assistant’s suggestion up with the most rebounds.” gone unnoticed. You can count to read an article on Kevin Love, The 6-foot-10, 260-pound” Love Chattanooga head coach Will who played his frst six NBA sea- averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 Wade among his admirers. “He’s sons with the Minnesota Tim- rebounds over the 364 games a phenomenal player,”Wade berwolves before joining LeBron that he played for the Tim- said. “I love him. Blue collar, James in Cleveland. berwolves. By contrast, Hayes tough kid. I know (Sam) Dekker -PAGE 1 OF 2- LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS » UWBADGERS.COM and (Frank) Kaminsky get a lot them out to the arc or take them terrible — too many misses,” he of the press. But Hayes, man, down low. I take what the de- lamented. “Getting to the line that’s a ball player.” fense gives me.” is not a problem, it’s making Green Bay head coach Brian A year ago, he didn’t take a them.” Wardle was equally impressed shot from beyond the 3-point For context, the aforemen- with what he saw out of a leaner arc. tioned Love averaged 6.4 free and more mobile Hayes. After But he was committed to ex- throws per game in Minnesota citing his improvement from panding his game as a means and shot 85.1 percent from the last season, he singled him out to stretch the defense and stripe. Last season, Hayes led for being “a big strong mis- spent the of-season working the Badgers in free throw at- match because he’s kind of an on his range. Through the frst tempts (164) but shot 58.5 per- inside-out forward that can do a four games, he was 4-of-8 on cent. lot of things.” 3-pointers. “It’s another weapon “I’ve got to take care of that Quizzed on his versatility, I have,” he said. and I will,” he pledged after the Hayes said, “I feel like I’m a mis- After scoring a career-high Green Bay game. “I can shoot match nightmare for the other 25 points against Green Bay, free throws.” team in the sense when I end up Hayes cringed when shown the Sticking with the theme, he guarding someone bigger than box score. He was 8-of-11 from rebounded nicely against Boise me or smaller than me in any the feld but only 7-of-11 from State. He was 6-of-6 from the sets on ofense I will either bring the free throw line. “That was line. ▪ DAVID STLUKA DAVID STEVE GOTTERSTEVE -PAGE 2 OF 2- BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ » UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Team’s toughness showing down stretch e’ve had a bunch of all of his runs. He caught the It’s not. slugfests with Iowa ball. He made plays in crunch I learned quickly about the im- W over the years.