PIN DROP The Kohl Center came to a standstill as Traevon Jackson pulled up for a jumper to beat the shot clock and give the Badgers the lead for good with 2.1 seconds remaining in a 45-44 win over No. 12 Minnesota last Saturday. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN FOCUS IN FOCUS ON A ROLL The men’s hockey team swept Alaska-Anchorage last weekend, to vault into a tie for fourth place in the WCHA. After starting the season with a single win in their first 10 games, the Badgers have only lost once in their past 14 contests, going 10-1-3 since Nov. 30. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN FOCUS WORDS OF WISDOM Women’s hockey head coach Mark Johnson addresses the team prior to the Badgers’ game against Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 27 at LaBahn Arena. Johnson is in his 10th season at the helm of the UW program, having won 295 games and four national championships in that span. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

JANUARY 31, 2013 CONTENTS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 26

» THAT’S (NOT) DEBATABLE DEPARTMENTS An extremely slow start to the season behind them, the Badgers are back and carry a 10-game con- 12 LUCAS AT LARGE ference unbeaten streak into a series with North by Mike Lucas 26 Dakota that has the feel of playoff hockey. 14 BEHIND THE DESK by Barry Alvarez 18 THE VOICE « PLAN OF by Matt Lepay 36 ATTACK The buzz around 20 BY THE NUMBERS UW’s new coordinator is a Facts and figures on UW

move to a 3-4 defense, but 22 5 THINGS TO WATCH Dave Aranda’s philosophy Where to catch the Badgers goes far beyond the numbers. on TV and the web 24 BADGERING Ben Brust » REVERSAL 44 INSIDE SPORTS 50 After a forgettable Basketball, hockey, season in 2011-12, a wrestling hard-working group of Badgers have reversed UW’s fortunes on 52 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Home field advantage the mat in Big Ten competition.

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© 2012 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

Tolzien preparing for Super experience s the No. 3 quarterback on mistakes. Even more than that, he’s til I establish myself in this league the depth chart, the backup not just managing the game, he’s ― until I get playing time and prove Ato the backup, Scott Tolzien making plays.’’ that I can do it. I’m fine with that. didn’t take any snaps for the San Tolzien, who led the Badgers to Bottom line: you have to be hungry Francisco 49ers. But he still feels the 2010 Big Ten title, can derive to get better.’’ good about his ongoing pro football satisfaction not only from the By all accounts, Tolzien is fam- education. overall team results but in how the ished. “It’s pretty simple, I want to “For starters, I get to go against defense reacts to each individual be a starter,’’ he said. “That hasn’t the No. 1 defense in the NFL week- opponent from week to week. changed since when I picked up a in and week-out,’’ said Tolzien, the That’s on him. “I basically try to football when I was 10 years old.’’ former Wisconsin quarterback, who treat Wednesdays and Thursdays To this end, he has been taking runs the 49ers’ scout team in. as my game days,’’ he said. “What advantage of his teachers: head “I remember when I first got here, it boils down to is preparing each coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL I thought, ‘Am I the worst football week as the starter, whether you’re signalcaller, and the 49ers quar- player around? Or, what’s the deal?’ third string or first string. terbacks coach, Geep Chryst, the It didn’t take long to figure out that “You’d be cheating yourself ― brother of Pitt coach . our defense is extremely good.’’ you’d be cheating your team ― if “He (Harbaugh) played over a It’s one of the reasons why the you weren’t doing that. A majority decade in the league,’’ Tolzien said, 49ers are playing in Super Bowl of my focus is on our scheme. That’s “so there’s merit in the things that XLVII against the Baltimore Ra- one of the fun parts of the gig.’’ he points out to you, whether it’s a vens. Another reason has been the On Super Bowl Sunday, he will defensive scheme or a fundamental dramatic emergence of quarterback be “trying to live or play vicariously of the position. . through the starter and provide an “It’s not just coachspeak. He sees Tolzien started the season as the extra set of eyes for adjustments the game through our lens and that backup to Kaepernick who was the that can be made during timeouts has been extremely helpful. I’m just backup to . But after and between series.’’ so happy to work with both guys. Smith suffered a concussion, Kae- Although he has been inactive They’re first-class individuals and pernick took over as the starter and more than he has dressed for just awesome coaches. now Smith is the top reserve. three games during the regular “Geep is the more talkative ver- “I’ve learned a lot from just being season, Tolzien has treated his ap- sion of Paul (who was Tolzien’s the third guy,’’ Tolzien admitted. prenticeship with urgency. coordinator at UW). They have the “What I thought was really cool was “You realize at this level that a same humor and personality. You’re that none of this quote-unquote lot of it is on you,’’ Tolzien said. “If just going to hear more out of Geep.’’ controversy changed the dynamic you’re not good enough, they’re Tolzien heard from Smith after in our quarterback room.” going to find the next guy. That’s the Badgers hired Gary Andersen. Regarding Kaepernick’s rapid pretty powerful right there. Smith and Andersen were at development, Tolzien said, “We all “You’d better find a way to get Utah at the same time. knew he had the physical tools. You better each week, otherwise you’re “Right away, he goes, ‘That’s an saw that in practice. But the way not going to last. There’s another awesome hire,’’’ Tolzien said. “He he’s done it on game days is ex- crop of guys coming into this league told me he’s just one of the most tremely impressive. after the draft and they’re looking genuine people that you’ll ever “He’s still a young quarterback, to take your job. come across, just a normal guy.’’ yet he doesn’t make the young guy “It will be like that every year un- Not unlike Tolzien.

12 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM BEHIND THE DESK BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Making decisions with our fans as focus ’m thrilled that we won’t have just haven’t done that yet. only makes sense. to raise season ticket prices in No one wants to raise ticket We have our own concerns at Ifootball, men’s basketball and prices. But there’s a cost-of-living Wisconsin. men’s hockey. These are not spur of factor. I can remember buying gas First of all, you want to preserve the moment decisions. But they are for 10 cents a gallon in the old Ne- your natural rivalries. You want to a result of a process. braska days during the gas wars. maintain playing those rivals while After we take a look at our bud- Costs have changed, and there is striving for competitive balance get and see where we are fiscally the cost of doing business. within the divisions. ― and we don’t use consultants like But we try to be very sensitive to I thought the Big Ten did a very some schools ― we review where our fans. good job in researching everything we stand as far as the rest of the Big from the time that Penn State Ten programs. joined the league. It clearly showed By comparison to the rest of the This year, we just that there were teams that sepa- league, we don’t want to be at the rated themselves from others. top and we don’t want to be on the decided that we But I want to play Iowa every bottom. We want to be somewhere can go without an year. I didn’t like not playing Iowa in the middle. increase. If we the last two years. I know our fans Right now, we’re closer to the can move forward didn’t like it either. I want to con- bottom than the top on ticket tinue to play Minnesota every year. prices. and be fiscally I also want to play Nebraska Our people in the ticket office responsible and not every year. That has turned into a and our fundraisers will bring their raise ticket prices, natural rivalry for us. information to our senior staff with Those games are important to recommendations and we will look then that’s what our fans because they can travel to at everything before we make a we’re going to do. them. decision. The athletic directors have had a This year, we just decided that good dialogue on all of this and we we can go without an increase. That will be one of our consider- will continue to discuss and consid- If we can move forward and be ations ― potential issues with our er the various options for realign- fiscally responsible and not raise fans traveling to games ― when we ment before we make the recom- ticket prices, then that’s what we’re begin to discuss conference realign- mendations to the presidents. going to do. ment. The Big Ten athletic directors I’ve said this several times before Last year was the first year we will meet in mid-February. ― we have a really good group of tiered the price of tickets according Our commissioner, Jim Delany, athletic directors in the Big Ten. We to the opponent, and we’ll do that said all along that when we came agree to disagree at times, but we again this year. We’re always talk- up with the divisions – the Legends get along well and we always try to ing to others in the business and and the Leaders – that it wasn’t work things out. trying to be creative. etched in stone. We’re very open-minded. A lot of Every athletic department in So when you add two teams from that has to do with the leadership of the country is looking at its rev- the East ― Maryland and Rutgers our commissioner. When all is said enue sources. As I said earlier, we ― I think it’s important that you and done, our fans are a priority ― haven’t used consultants. But that consider the option of determining as they were when we decided not might be something to look at. We the divisions by geography. That to raise ticket prices.

14 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS BEHIND THE DESK BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Dear Badger Season Ticket Holder:

I hope 2013 is off to a great start for you and that you are enjoying following our winter sports teams. I very much appreciate the support you give to our student-athletes and I know they recognize all you do, as well.

I’d also like to thank you for the warm welcome so many of you have extended to Gary Andersen, our new head football coach, and to Kelly Sheffield, our new volleyball head coach. I believe they will both prove to be terrific additions to our staff.

It is again the time of year when we talk ticket prices for the following athletic season. I’m pleased to inform you that we will not be increasing season ticket prices for football, men’s basketball or men’s hockey for 2013-14. That means football season ticket prices for our three-time defending Big Ten champions will remain the same ($42) for the fourth consecutive year. Men’s basketball season ticket prices, as you know, have increased just once since 2006. And men’s hockey season tickets have increased just once since 2004. Priority seating gift levels in all three sports will remain unchanged, as well.

I’ve said many times over the years that we only increase season ticket prices when we have to. I hope that having this information in your hands now will help as you plan your season ticket purchases for next season.

Again, thank you for your loyalty to the Badgers and for your support of our student- athletes and coaches.

ON WISCONSIN!

16 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 BARRY ALVAREZ • UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS THE VOICE MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS

Once again, Badgers walking a fine line n the years I have written this that end of the floor, and more from it. blog, I have used the words often than not, it continues to hold Up next is Illinois. In the first I“fine” and “line” rather fre- its own on the glass. meeting in Madison, the Badgers quently. However, as the Buckeyes put together a brilliant perfor- Here I go again. demonstrated earlier this week, mance in a convincing win. Yet this For the third straight game, and a defensive breakdown here, or a is the same Illini squad that drilled for the fourth time in conference turnover that leads to easy points Ohio State by 19 points and also play, the Badgers have failed to get there, can mean the difference won at Gonzaga. out of the 40s. Yet they have won between victory and defeat. Even if Ranked or unranked, when Il- two of those four games, and they it happens on just a handful of pos- linois is playing at its best, it can remain in the mix for a high finish sessions, as was the case at Value play with anyone. in the league race. City Arena. So can the Badgers. After Tuesday’s loss at Ohio As we approach the halfway State, that might seem odd, but it point of conference play, it is be- is very much the case. Once again the coming clear that, in the Big Ten, What might also seem odd is Badgers walk a fine the grueling schedule has a way of that, offensively challenged as the line. However, in keeping every team in the league Badgers can be, their shooting humble. numbers are very similar to a year the nation’s top Let’s face it, so far there appears ago. conference, there is to be very little separating first In conference games, Wiscon- reason to believe place from the middle of the pack. sin’s field goal and 3-point per- Some teams might look the part centages are nearly identical to they are not the only more than others, but the results last season. In fact, the Badgers team fitting that suggest that looks can be deceiv- are averaging one more bucket per description. ing. game than last winter. The differ- Once again the Badgers walk a ence is at the free throw line. fine line. However, in the nation’s The league-low free throw per- It is worth noting that Tuesday’s top conference, there is reason to centage is well documented. After game was the fifth in the last six believe they are not the only team not even getting to the foul line in outings against a top 25 team. fitting that description. Columbus, the Badgers are averag- While college basketball rankings Yes, they need to somehow find ing 13 attempts per game and mak- have a much different meaning a way to shoot straight. They need ing 6.7. Last year, UW attempted than college football polls, the to find a way to get to the foul line, 16.7 free throws and knocked down point here is that the Badgers have and then finish the deal when they 13 a game (77 percent). had quite a stretch of tests against get there. That is more than a half-dozen opponents many consider to be the While far from perfect, on most points off the board. Still, Bo big boys of the sport. occasions the Badgers are doing Ryan’s team is 5-3 in the Big Ten, For the season, Wisconsin has enough things well to at least give which is exactly where they stood faced seven nationally-ranked themselves a chance. I still believe at this time last year. programs, more than anyone else that if they keep guarding ― and Second-half defensive struggles in the nation. grinding away ― they can make against Ohio State aside, this That is not to suggest that UW the second half of the Big Ten sea- group continues to grind away on is about to enter Easy Street. Far son very interesting.

18 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 MATT LEPAY • VOICE OF THE BADGERS BY THE NUMBERS

MEN’S BASKETBALL UW is the only team in the NCAA to have played seven teams ranked in the AP Top 25 this season. 7 Minnesota is second, having played six ranked foes. 22.36 WOMEN’S SWIMMING Sophomore Ivy Martin broke the pool record in the 50-yard freestyle Saturday at the University of Virginia Aquatic and Fitness Center with a time of 22.36. The time is the best in that event for the Badgers this season and Martin’s third NCAA ‘B’ qualifying time in the 50 free this year. 77.7% WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Badgers have made 213 of 274 (.777) shots from the free throw line this season, ranking first in the Big Ten and eighth in the country.

2.00MEN’S HOCKEY Wisconsin’s defense ranks second in the WCHA and fifth in the nation in all games at 2.00 goals-against per game, trailing only Minnesota (1.85 goals- against per game) among league squads. In WCHA action, UW’s defense is tied for the league lead with first-place St. Cloud State at 2.17 goals-against per game.

20 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013

5 THINGS TO WATCH JAN. 31 - FEB. 6

FRIDAY 2/1 • 7:30 PM • Fox College Sports

Weekend opener • Men’s hockey at North Dakota Start your weekend with the Badgers as they face off with North Dakota. Stay warm in Wisconsin and catch all of the action on Fox College Sports at 7:30 p.m.

1 SUNDAY 2/3 • 2 PM • BTDN Super Sunday • Women’s basketball vs. Illinois Get your Super Bowl party started with some Wisconsin basketball. The Badgers host the Fighting Illini at 2 p.m on BTDN via InsideBadgerSports.com.

SUNDAY 2/3 • 2:30 PM • BTN 2 Basketball bowl • Men’s basketball at Illinois The Badgers wrap up a two-game road trip with a visit to Champaign on Sunday. Kick off your Super Bowl festivities with some Big Ten basketball at 2:30 p.m. on BTN.

SUNDAY 2/3 • 5:30 PM • CBS 3 The big game • Super Bowl XLVII Watch former Badger Scott Tolzien and the battle the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at 5:30 p.m. on CBS.

WEDNESDAY 2/6 • 8 PM • BTN 4 Grudge match • Men’s basketball vs. Iowa Wisconsin looks to protect its home court when Iowa visits on Wednesday. Can’t make the game? Watch live on BTN at 8 p.m.

522 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 2 4 BADGERING...

BEN BRUST »» MEN’S BASKETBALL After a multitude of solid performances from 3-point range last season, Ben Brust has cemented his reputation as one of the conference’s most lethal shooters. This season, Brust has displayed his all-around talents as he, along with teammate Ryan Evans, ranks third in the Big Ten with four double-doubles apiece.

How and why did you become so comfortable shooting from long range? “I used to play basketball all the time with my older brothers. They would kill me but it made me better and made me work harder because I wanted to someday beat them as bad as they beat me. The area we played had cement that was separated in blocks, so we had a rule where each person had this square of relief. The way I learned to shoot from deep was by shooting behind that square of relief so they couldn’t come and get me.”

You played various sports growing up. Why did you eventually stick with basketball? “My parents never let me play football, which I’m fine with. I played volleyball for a year, which was fun, but I never really got into that. I also played soccer and baseball a lot. Soccer was fun only because of the games ― I never had the passion to play that after eighth grade, though. Baseball was too boring for me with all the standing around. I found myself having fun with basketball a lot more once I was done with those sports.” Has your love for NASCAR rubbed off on any teammates or family members? “It’s been hard trying to get people to enjoy NASCAR like I do. I’ve given up trying to convince some of my teammates and most of my family hates it just as much as I did when I was younger. But I think if you go to a race it gives you a whole different perspective. So maybe if I get a couple of them to a race I think I’ll change their minds.” Where do you think your athleticism and ambition comes from? “I think those competitive juices just run in my family. I’ve watched my dad take care of my family ― he owns his own business, so I’d see him working hard to provide for us. Then I’d see my older brothers playing sports and how much passion they had for what they were doing. If you asked her, my mom would say I got all of my shooting skills and athletic ability from her and, even though I agree to an extent, I’m pretty sure it’s my dad’s competitiveness and passion that has rubbed off on me.”

24 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013

AT FULL STRENGTH

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM DAVID STLUKA AT FULL STRENGTH A slow start to the season is now a distant memory as Wisconsin looks to build on a 10-game WCHA unbeaten streak. There’s no debating that the Badgers are back.

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM “I would say it was that weekend in Denver,’’ said Zengerle, the junior for- ward from Rochester, N.Y. “I wasn’t playing, I was watching (because of an injury), and we got three of four points. That was the turnaround.’’ “We could have easily taken four points at Den- ver but they scored a late goal, kind of a fluky goal (in the opener),’’ agreed McCabe, the sophomore defenseman from Eau Claire, Wis. “The Denver hether the speaker was Mark series was definitely the Zengerle, the gifted scorer on turning point.’’ the brink of a career milestone, “To go into Denver and take three points was 100 points; or Jake McCabe, huge,’’ acknowledged Ramage, the senior defense- the captain of the gold medal man from St. Louis. “Ever since then, we haven’t Wwinning U.S. junior team; or John Ramage, the looked back. Of late, we have great confidence and owner of back-to-back game-winning overtime we’re excited to play every weekend.’’ goals at Minnesota State, there was no ambigu- Going into that Denver series on Nov. 30, Wis- ity on the turning point to the Wisconsin men’s consin was searching for answers and an identi- hockey season. ty after struggling to a 1-7-2 record in its first 10 TIMELINE OF A TURNAROUND

OCT. 6: Badgers skate in first official practice, then win 5-0 over the U.S. OCT. 12-13: Wisconsin is swept by Under-18 Team that night in exhibition Northern Michigan at the Resch Center game. Frosh forward Nic Kerdiles is in Green Bay to open the season. not in the lineup against the team he played for last year.

OCT. 8: It is announced OCT. 19: The decision on Kerdiles and that Nic Kerdiles has been Wisconsin’s appeal regarding his amateur ruled ineligible for the status changes NCAA’s withholding penalty entire season by the NCAA to 30 percent of the season, or 10 games. for violation of its amateur He will be able to make his college debut rules. He will also lose a for the Denver series that begins on Nov. 30. year of eligibility.

28 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 games. By sharp contrast, the No. 5-ranked Pio- hockey. neers were leading the WCHA on the strength of “Our playoffs started when we went 1-7-2 to start their offense. But in the Friday opener, Joel Rum- the season,’’ Ramage suggested. pel gave up just one goal (at 18:44 of the third pe- Good point. There has been little margin of error riod) in a 1-1 overtime draw. since that ugly stretch. Despite playing without Zengerle, the leading What factored into it? What were some reasons returning scorer in college hockey, the Badgers why they dug such a deep hole? then outworked Denver, 3-1, on Saturday behind “We obviously weren’t scoring goals; that was the strong goaltending of Landon Peterson, who the biggest thing,’’ said McCabe, who didn’t have had 35 saves. Derek Lee got his first goal of the to be reminded that the Badgers scored more season on assists from Tyler Barnes and freshman than two goals just once in that opening 10-game Nic Kerdiles, who was appearing in only his second stretch, and that was in a 5-4 loss to Colorado Col- game after an NCAA-mandated 10-game suspen- lege. “We weren’t really capitalizing on our power sion. play chances and we had a couple of key guys out, Kerdiles also assisted on Jefferson Dahl’s goal, Zengerle and Kerdiles. That hurt us.’’ while Ramage closed out the scoring for the Bad- Zengerle busted his finger in early November gers. against Colorado College and was sidelined until They have obviously embraced that Rocky Moun- the second week of December. “We weren’t finish- tain high ― the Badgers are 10-1-3 over their last ing out games,’’ said Zengerle, reflecting on the 14 games, including 7-0-3 in their last 10 WCHA frustration of getting swept by Northern Michigan games, and have moved within four points of first in Green Bay in the first series of the season. That place. In addition, they are 6-1-3 on the road, a set an ominous tone. “We could have won two but mark that will be put to the ultimate test this week- didn’t close out,’’ he added. end in Grand Forks, N.D. The low point was a couple of 4-2 home losses Wisconsin and North Dakota have identical 8-5- to Minnesota State on Thanksgiving weekend. “I 5 records in the WCHA. don’t know exactly what it was, but we had a little This weekend’s series has the feel of playoff adversity and it definitely showed in our play,’’ said

NOV. 3: Junior forward Mark OCT. 21: Senior assistant Zengerle, the nation’s leading return- captain Derek Lee crashes ing scorer with 50 points last season, his moped, which causes breaks a finger blocking a shot against him to miss UW’s series at Colorado College after posting points Minnesota Duluth. in each of the first five games of the season. Badgers lose, 3-0.

NOV 2: Wisconsin celebrates “Badger Bob” Johnson’s legacy by officially designating the ice at the Kohl Center as Bob Johnson Rink. The Badgers fall to Colorado College, 5-4, in overtime.

29 seeing that record every day up on the board (in the locker room). When you walked by it, you would get a little disheartened.’’ Zengerle admitted that losing can take a toll. “It’s just a drag, it stinks,’’ he said. “But when you’re winning, everyone is excited and happy and it’s fun to go to the rink. You want to continue winning and continue that feeling in the locker room. Right now, we know the feeling of losing a bunch in a row and we know the feeling of winning a bunch in a row. We want to keep winning.’’ Even during the losing streak ― “When we were kind of putting the pieces together in terms of everyone Ramage who conceded it was difficult to ignore the working together,’’ Ramage said ― WCHA standings. “You’re always looking to see there was no surrender; that’s never an option with where you are … whether you’re on top, looking be- a Mike Eaves-coached team. “Coach kept chomping hind; or on the bottom, looking up.’’ at the bit and kept coming to work on Mondays,’’ There was no sugar-coating their status. “There McCabe said. “Every day, he had a goal in mind for was a lot of skepticism out there with the fans which us and we continued to turn the ship around.’’ was well-deserved with how we started,’’ McCabe So what has been the biggest difference in Wis- said. “We knew where we were at and we knew consin’s play lately? where we had to get to … (Still) it was frustrating “Just being consistent all the way around,’’ said TIMELINE OF A TURNAROUND

NOV. 7: Assistant coach Bill NOV. 23-24: Wisconsin gets Butters announces his departure from the swept at home by Minnesota UW coaching staff as Wisconsin begins State by identical 4-2 scores its second bye week with a 1-4-1 record. on Thanksgiving weekend. A trip to No. 3 Minnesota looms the follow- UW sits 1-7-2 and in a tie for ing week. Matt Walsh (right) is hired as 10th place in the WCHA with interim assistant coach on Nov. 23. a 1-5-2 league mark.

NOV. 21: Freshman Morgan NOV. 30 - DEC. 1: Wisconsin leads 1-0 in the waning Zulinick collides with a minutes of Nic Kerdiles’ debut game, but No. 5 Den- teammate during practice and ver scores with 1:16 left in regulation and the teams injures his leg. The highly- skate to a 1-1 overtime tie. The Badgers return the skilled forward had four assists next night and grab a 3-1 victory as Kerdiles posts the in seven games, but has yet to first two assists of his Badgers career. The weekend return to the lineup since. results begin an 11-game unbeaten streak.

30 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013

McCabe. “Our goaltending has been a huge part of that. Peterson and Rum- pel have been phenomenal. Our penal- ty-killing has been really good as well. Guys are playing their roles. That’s what it’s going to take down the stretch; each guy has to contribute in his own way.’’ Zengerle recognizes that the biggest challenge now is sustaining the mo- mentum. “It starts in practice where you try to prepare the best that you can,’’ he said. “Our goalies have been great and we’ve played pretty good team defense. Everyone is chipping Each was asked who has been the most unsung in and doing their part. Every weekend means so member of this team. much. We just need to stick to what we’re doing “I would say maybe a Jefferson Dahl,’’ McCabe and hopefully score a few more goals.’’ said of the junior forward from Eau Claire. “He Zengerle, McCabe and Ramage are among the came up big for us last weekend (in the home more high profile players on this roster. sweep of Alaska-Anchorage). He plays more of a TIMELINE OF A TURNAROUND

JAN. 26: UW completes a home sweep DEC. 7-8: Mark Zengerle returns of Alaska Anchorage, extends its league to the lineup as the Badgers play unbeaten streak to 10 games (7-0-3) and host to Michigan Tech in a pair of moves into a tie for fourth place in the ties at the Kohl Center. WCHA standings at 8-5-5 (11-8-5 overall).

JAN. 5: Sophomore defenseman Jake McCabe JAN. 18: Wisconsin blanks DAVID STLUKA captains Team USA to a gold medal at the 2013 No. 8 Miami, 1-0, to extend International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior its unbeaten streak to 11 Championship in Ufa, Russia, while the Badgers games and its winning finish off a road sweep of Alaska Anchorage. streak to seven games.

JAN. 11-12: Senior defenseman John Ramage captures lightning in a bottle twice, scoring overtime game- DEC. 13-14: The Badgers winning goals at Minnesota State on back-to-back close out the first semester nights to give the Badgers their first-ever sweep over with their first two home the Mavericks in Mankato. Ramage scores with 32 sec- victories of the season, onds left in overtime on Friday and 6.2 seconds left in sweeping Alabama Hunts- overtime on Saturday for the goals and UW’s first two ville in a Thursday-Friday overtime victories of the season. They are also the series at the Kohl Center. first road and WCHA regular-season overtime victories for Wisconsin since Nov. 3, 2006.

32 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 HIGHLIGHTS: UW’S 10-GAME UNBEATEN STREAK

defensive role but he has really been stepping up “We never lacked confidence for us offensively.’’ Zengerle nominated Derek Lee, a senior forward in ourselves that we would from North Vancouver, B.C. “He has been all over come out of that,’’ Ramage the lineup in the time that he has been here,’’ he said of Lee, who was injured last weekend. “He has said.“Right now, we’re just really stepped up. Hopefully he’ll be alright. trying to keep the ship sailing “It’s hard to leave Ramer out of that (unsung) group, too.” … every game is important, Ramer is Ramage, whose choice was also Dahl. every game is meaningful.’’ “He’s just one of the many guys who have stepped up as our team has come together,’’ he said. “Ev- eryone is stepping up in their roles, playing togeth- er, playing as a team, doing their job. When we do, “My season has been kind of like our team’s we’re a very successful team.’’ season. It’s been up and down, that sort of thing. Oh, by the way. But things are looking up right now. If we get a “We never lacked confidence in ourselves that few points this weekend our confidence will go up we would come out of that,’’ Ramage said of the way more, especially beating a great team (North early season malaise. “Right now, we’re just trying Dakota) in a tough atmosphere (Ralph Engelstad to keep the ship sailing … we’re focused on getting Arena).’’ points every weekend … every game is important, Oh, by the way. every game is meaningful.’’ “It’s not going to take much to get up for these That was seconded by Zengerle, who offered this games,’’ McCabe said. perspective: Or any of the remaining ones on the schedule.

33

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS JOSH MUNNS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Though a move to the 3-4 defense is on the horizon, new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s philosophy is less about formations and more about developing an ‘attacking’ mindset

BY MIKE LUCAS • UWBADGERS.COM

eated in his Camp Randall Stadium of- on the line of scrimmage, whereby such numeri- fice, Dave Aranda is so good-natured, cal deception can lead to an edge. So whether even-keeled and mild-mannered ― the Badgers are operating out of a 4-3 front, 3-4 barely raising his voice ― you would look or a hybrid combination, Aranda will put an never guess that Wisconsin’s first-year emphasis on measurables: rips, strips, bats and Sdefensive coordinator would have the tempera- picks. ment to coach on defense. But looks can be de- “We’ll keep track of those things throughout ceiving. spring ball and fall camp,’’ said Aranda, who “My kids enjoy football, and they try to sit with spent one season with Gary Andersen at Utah me and watch games (on television),’’ said Aran- State before joining him in Madison. “We want da, identifying his two young daughters (ages 6 someone who wants to get on the field and get off and 7) and 3-year-old son. “But when they go to the field. We want someone who wants to get the practice, they ask, ‘Papa, what is that voice you’re ball out.’’ using?’ In football, you flip a switch automati- If you’re looking for a visual, a reference point, cally.’’ maybe even a poster boy, for some of Aranda’s Along with focusing on hitting all the right but- concepts on defense, it would be tons with his players, the 36-year-old Aranda is cornerback Charles (Peanut) Tillman, who has 36 in the process of evaluating the returning per- forced fumbles and 33 interceptions to go along sonnel. As such, he has a vision for Wisconsin’s with eight career defensive touchdowns. defense that calls for a heightened awareness to On Nov. 4, Tillman forced four fumbles in a takeaways and the potential for a new math with rout of the Tennessee Titans. In the same game, the front seven. Brian Urlacher returned a pick for a score. Aran- Looks can be deceiving, and that’s by design da’s connection to Tillman and the Bears was former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who was not retained after Chicago head coach Lovie Smith was fired. “Such a great person,’’ Aranda said of Mari- nelli, “and a great coach.’’ Aranda and Marinelli are both alums of Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Ca- lif. Aranda used to visit Marinelli when he was the defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Marinelli, who also had a stint as the head coach of the Detroit Lions, has been known for his attacking fronts. Aranda definitely wants to attack, a reflection of mentor Greg McMackin, the former Hawaii coach. Aranda toiled as a grad assistant under McMackin at Texas Tech. When McMackin took over the Hawaii program, he hired Aranda for the D-line and later promoted him to defen- sive coordinator. For decades, McMackin, 67, was quite ac- complished as a college defensive coordina- tor with stops at six different schools, includ- ing the University of Miami, where he coached Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp. There were also a couple of NFL stints with Seattle and San Fran- cisco. “He was the first to give me the defensive co- ordinator title,’’ Aranda said. “He was a coach who emphasized blitzing and getting sacks. He emphasized takeaways and scoring on defense. Those are all things I think are awfully impor- tant and we will try to accomplish on defense. “I love the 3-4 because I love the flexibility that it “In practice, we’ll keep track of how many times gives you,’’ conceded Aranda, who effectively uti- a defensive player is making a rip attempt. Let’s lized the scheme at Utah State. “I think the 4-3 is say the ball didn’t come out, but he’s making an a leverage game. It’s an angles game. There’s not attempt to rip it out, we’ll highlight that. And if the a lot of hiding in the 4-3, whereas in the 3-4 you ball does come out as a strip, or it’s a sack-fumble- can disguise where the fourth guy is coming from. strip, we’ll make a highlight of that. “It’s more flexible to attack protections. It’s more “Whether a guy is rushing (the passer) or in cov- flexible to attack running and blocking schemes. I erage, playing the hands of a receiver, and the ball think a big part of my upbringing and philosophy is knocked down or coming out, that would be a ― going back to Coach Mac (McMackin) ― lends bat. And then, obviously, picks are interceptions. itself to the 3-4. We’re going to try and get into In fall camp at Utah State, it was good from the some looks. We have guys who can do that.’’ competitive standpoint, the D versus the O.’’ Aside from passing downs and special packages, The objective is to develop an attitude and hun- the Badgers have been a conventional 4-3 defense. ger on defense for takeaways. Last season, they lined up with Ethan Hemer and

38 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013 Beau Allen at the inside techniques and Brendan The Badgers just got a taste of the 3-4 defense Kelly and David Gilbert in three-point stances at from Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The outside defensive end. linebackers-slash-edge rushers were 6-foot-4, “The way we will play the interior guys is how 248-pound Chase Thomas and 6-6, 261-pound they’ve played here in the past,’’ Aranda said. Trent Murphy. Both have been productive in get- “They’ll be playing with their hands, playing thick, ting after the quarterback and making plays in the playing big and not necessarily ripping and run- backfield. ning and getting skinny in the gaps. We’ll have a Gilbert is 6-4, 250, while Kelly is 6-6, 255. So great nose and guys who can cancel out the B-gaps. there are some physical similarities to Thomas and “But I feel like we’ll have guys who can stand up Murphy that Aranda would like to explore during and rush the passer (namely Gilbert and Kelly). spring practice. Noting that any 3-4 look would When you can stem or move them from a four- not sport four traditional linebackers, Aranda ob- man look to a three-man look, and do the same served, “The strength of our defense is the front things, keep it the same for you, but make it look people.’’ different to the opponent, that’s an advantage.’’ ● ● ● ●

39 TOM SMART

iven that Andersen and Aranda both have “The mentality I want (up experience coaching the defensive front, Git’s hard to imagine any position group front) is obviously tough, getting more detailed instruction or having more hard-nosed guys,’’ Kauha’aha’a resources, especially in concert with the UW’s new D-line coach, Chad Kauha’aha’a, a former defen- said of the defensive line. sive lineman at Utah. “We’re going to walk around Kauha’aha’a kiddingly remembered jumping on with some swag. We have to Ron Dayne’s back and trying to bring him down in the 1996 Copper Bowl. Dayne, then a Wisconsin stick our chests out a little freshman, rushed for 246 yards and three touch- bit and let them know we’re downs in a 38-10 win over the Utes in Tucson, Ariz. “When you hear University of Wisconsin, you around.” think smash-mouth football,’’ said Kauha’aha’a, a second-team All-WAC selection in ’96. Along with being coached by Ron McBride, a former UW as- sistant and long-time mentor to Andersen, he was “The mentality I want (up front) is obviously also on McBride’s staff at Weber State. tough, hard-nosed guys,’’ Kauha’aha’a said. “We’re “When you think Wisconsin,’’ he continued, going to walk around with some swag. We have to “you think offense and physical, big guys.’’ stick our chests out a little bit and let them know In an ideal world, he would like that stereotype we’re around. Utah pumps out defensive linemen to include the defensive line. like Wisconsin pumps out offensive linemen.’’

40 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013

For the past two seasons, Kauha’aha’a has been tutoring some difference-mak- ers in Utah’s defensive line. Among his pupils has been Star Lotulelei, an All- America tackle. Lotulelei is projected to be a high first-round NFL draft pick. Defensive end Joe Kruger, an under- classmen, could go in the second round. From what he saw during the Rose Bowl practices, Kauha’aha’a said, “I’ve got a bunch of studs coming back. I’m super fired up and I look forward to working with these guys. It might be a little tougher for me because they lost a coach (Charlie Partridge) that they had for five years. “So I have to make sure I take the right steps with them as I come in. My message? I understand that they’re a veteran group, but, at the same time, I’m veteran coach. We both have to ad- just to each other. They’ll feel me out, and I’ll feel them out.’’ On the white board in his office, he has spelled out Kauha’aha’a phoneti- cally: Cow-ha-a-ha-a. “Call me Coach Chad or Coach K,’’ he said, grinning. The music coming from his computer is from a radio station in Maui, where he was raised. “All my family is there. I’m the only person on the mainland.’’ Kauka’aha’a’s younger brother, Ken- dall Grove, has been representing the island on the mixed martial arts stage. State. “But when I was gone, I kind of realized how Grove, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, trained important Gary was to me,’’ he said. “When this under the legendary Tito Ortiz, a former UFC opportunity came up (at Wisconsin), I knew that I champion. Grove, 30, was the winner of The Ulti- wanted to work for him again.’’ mate Fighter 3 on Spike TV. Andersen seems to inspire that level of loyalty in Kauha’aha’a was a successful coach at Baldwin all of his assistants. High School in Maui. That’s how he got started in Kauha’aha’a, like Aranda, is soft-spoken. But you the business. “I left the rock to pursue my dreams can tell he also has a switch that flips on automati- and my goals of becoming a college football coach,’’ cally. “Right now, I’m pretty calm,’’ he said from he said. “Everywhere I went, I set a goal, and my his office. “When you see me at practice, I’m not goal was to get back to the University of Utah.’’ Mr. Yell-and-Scream-Guy. But I’ll get their atten- Kauha’aha’a landed his “dream job’’ with the tion right away.’’ Utes after coaching two years for Andersen at Utah He probably already has.

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INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY PATRICK HERB @BadgerMBB

SCHEDULE (14-7, 5-3) Last Week Tuesday #13 Mich. State L, 47-49 Saturday #12 Minnesota W, 45-44

This Week Jan. 29 at #11 Ohio State L, 49-58 Feb. 3 at Illinois 2:30 p.m.

Coming Up Feb. 6 Iowa 8 p.m. Feb. 9 #1 Michigan 11 a.m. Feb. 14 at #23 Minnesota 6 p.m. Feb. 17 #11 Ohio State Noon

dence defensively as a floor general. He leads the Badgers in steals (21), charges taken (7) and assists (61). After posting a 26-to-26 assist-to- turnover ratio in 2012, Brust has also improved his decision-making and is leading UW with a 2.54 (61-24) as- sist-to-turnover margin. Following Wisconsin’s 45-44 win over Minnesota, head coach Bo Ryan also took notice of Brust’s increased awareness on the defensive end. Brust one of Badgers’ Brust drew an offensive foul on Min- nesota’s Andre Hollins in the final most versatile options minute of the game, setting up Trae- Illinois native leads UW in multiple areas von Jackson for the eventual game- winning shot with 2.1 seconds left. “A lot of people concern them- s a sophomore, Ben minutes per game this sea- selves about making an offensive ABrust cemented his son as a starter, a 10-min- play,” Ryan said. “(Ben) made a play reputation as one of the Big ute jump from his floor time that helped us get that ball game on Ten’s most lethal outside as the team’s sixth man in the left hand side. That was a huge shooters. The Hawthorne 2011-12. charge to draw.” Woods, Ill., native is using His increased minutes his junior year to display have translated into im- On the horizon: Illinois why he is one of the confer- provements in his scoring » The Badgers look for their fifth ence’s most improved all- (7.3 to 10.3) and rebound- straight victory over the Fighting around players. ing averages (2.2 to 5.5), as Illini, having won the last four by Brust is averaging 32.4 well as a boost in his confi- an average of 12.7 points per game.

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INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @Badger_WBBall

SCHEDULE (9-11, 1-6) Last Five Jan. 10 RV Iowa L, 56-65 Jan. 13 at RV Michigan L, 43-54 Jan. 17 at #8 Penn State L, 40-84 Jan. 20 Ohio State W, 68-49 Jan. 24 at RV Iowa L, 60-71

This Week Thursday #7 Penn State 7 p.m. Sunday Illinois 2 p.m.

Next Five Feb. 7 at Ohio State 6 p.m. Feb. 10 Indiana 2 p.m. Feb. 14 Purdue 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Illinois 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Northwestern Noon

Case in point, the Badgers suffered a 71-60 loss to Iowa in a game that saw 10 lead changes and eight ties. Wisconsin overcame a 10-point defi- cit in the first half to push the Hawk- eyes to the brink. Those challenges will pay off for Badgers persevering Wisconsin this season. “It’s only go- ing to help us down the road,” Kelsey through adversity spoke of the adversity the team is UW not backing down from challenges experiencing. “We’re very happy with their attitudes and approach of this tough season we’ve been going ith a 1-6 Big Ten re- “I’m very proud of the team through.” Wcord, the casual fan for continuing to persevere Wisconsin is set to play its fifth might think the Badgers’ con- and be positive in light of the game out of six that features an op- ference season has stalled. adversity they’re experienc- ponent ranked or receiving votes in But, upon closer look, they ing right now,” head coach national polls when No. 7 Penn State will see that Wisconsin has Bobbie Kelsey said. visits the Kohl Center on Thursday. continued to fight through Wisconsin has worked It will be the second time in two injury, upset and defeat and through the loss of team- weeks that the Badgers have faced the will reach the midway point mates to injury and transfer Nittany Lions, and you can be assured of conference play a better to put together a team that they will leave it all on the Kohl Cen- team. isn’t an easy opponent. ter floor.

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INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO @BadgerMHockey

SCHEDULE (11-8-5, 8-5-5) In the thick of the race Last Five Badgers just four points out of first after run Jan. 12 at Minnesota St. W, 2-1 (OT) Jan. 18 Miami (Ohio) W, 1-0 Jan. 19 Miami (Ohio) L, 1-2 t would have been hard tunity as seven of their fi- Jan. 25 Alaska Anchorage W, 5-2 Jan. 26 Alaska Anchorage W, 2-1 Ito imagine back when nal 10 WCHA contests are the Badgers were licking at home and eight of their This Week their wounds following final 10 conference games Friday at North Dakota 7:30 p.m. a Thanksgiving weekend are against teams either Saturday at North Dakota 7 p.m. sweep at the hands of Min- ahead of or tied with them Coming Up nesota State. Wisconsin in the league standings. It Feb. 8 Bemidji State 7 p.m. was sitting at 1-7-2 overall is still a daunting task to Feb. 9 Bemidji State 7 p.m. and 1-5-2 in the WCHA, reach the top, but nobody Feb. 15 Minnesota 7 p.m. and in a tie for 10th place thought that Wisconsin HOCKEY CITY CLASSIC, CHICAGO in the league. Fast forward would be in the position Feb. 17 vs. Minnesota 3:30 p.m. to today and the Badgers it’s in when it had just one have gone 10-1-3 since victory through 10 games. second game of a double-header that weekend to find them- that includes Notre Dame and selves in a three-way tie for Soldier Field rink Miami at noon. The Hockey City fourth place in the WCHA, » Last week, construction Classic Festival begins this Friday just four points behind began on the rink at Sol- with the “Light the Lamp” Open- first-place St. Cloud State, dier Field for the Office- ing Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Chi- and ranked No. 19 in the Max Hockey City Classic, cago Blackhawks alumni Bobby nation. scheduled for Feb. 17. The Hull and Tony Esposito join local The Badgers are now Badgers take on Minne- youth hockey players to take the looking at a great oppor- sota at 3:30 p.m. in the first shots at Soldier Field.

48 » VARSITY JANUARY 31, 2013

INSIDE WRESTLING BY RYAN EVANS @Badger_Wrestle

SCHEDULE (7-5, 4-3) Last Week Jan. 25 Indiana W, 26-9 Jan. 28 vs. #22 Purdue L, 14-22

Coming Up Feb. 10 #4 Minnesota 1 p.m.

have to work on a few things and continue to move forward.” The Badgers’ renaissance season has included three wins over ranked opponents, including two top-15 Big Ten teams in Nebraska and Michi- gan. This year has seen Wisconsin earn its first Big Ten dual win and its first win over a top-10 ranked oppo- nent since the 2010-11 season. The Badgers’ current No. 19 team ranking in the NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll is also the team’s highest since finishing at No. 15 in the final 2010- 11 season poll. UW’s turnaround has, in part, been fueled by wrestlers like 197 lbs. start- er Jackson Hein, who has improved Badgers have produced in his own right this season. Compared to a season ago, this impressive turnaround year Hein has already upped his Wisconsin has come a long way since last year overall wins by six, his duals wins by one and increased his wins against Big Ten competition by four. Hein atching this sea- tality that has the Badgers also earned the first national ranking W son, you probably sitting with a 7-5 overall re- of his career this year, and currently wouldn’t be able to guess cord, including 4-3 in the stands No. 17 at 197 lbs. that Wisconsin went winless Big Ten. This a season after “He’s improving, he’s moving for- through Big Ten competi- UW finished at 5-12 overall ward and it’s great to see,” Davis tion just a season ago. and 0-8 in conference. said of Hein. Head coach Barry Davis But, Davis will be the first With those turnarounds, both and his staff have engineered to tell you that his team isn’t Hein and the Badgers as a whole, an impressive turnaround quite where it wants to be yet. have set themselves up well for con- for the program this season “Our guys are believing,” tinued success as the season enters thank to a “buying in” men- Davis said. “But, we still its stretch run.

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THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY

Wisconsin is 2-0-0 all-time in outdoor games, winning in 2006 and 2010.

February 6, 2010 Home field advantage Defenseman Brendan Smith scored two late third-period power-play goals to lift the men’s hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Michigan outside at Camp Randall Stadium as 55,031 fans celebrated along with the team.

February 1, 1998 RECORD CROWD: A crowd of 16,329 watched the women’s basketball team defeat Northwestern at the Kohl Center, the largest home crowd in program history. The crowd also set a Big Ten record at the time.

February 1, 2009 ALSO 200 OR BUST: Women’s hockey coach Mark Johnson earned his 200th career win as THIS the Badgers defeated Ohio State, 7-0. WEEK February 4, 2004 IN THE GROOVE: Junior Devin Harris scored 97 points over a three-game span, setting a UW record. Harris just missed becoming the first UW player to record three straight 30-point games, scoring 30 vs. Illinois (Jan. 24), 29 at Ohio State (Jan. 28) and a career-high 38 vs. Minnesota (Feb. 4). The 38-point effort was tied for the fourth- most by a Badger.

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