CONTENTS FEBRUARY 24, 2016 ■ VOLUME 6, ISSUE 28

FEATURE STORY JOHN FISHER / CAL SPORT MEDIA

IN THE SWING OF THINGS Much like UW’s offense, Bronson Koenig’s game had stagnated early in the season. Rather than folding, he and his teammates adjusted to new wrinkles and found a new way forward.

FEATURES MEN’S HOCKEY IN [FOCUS] NO TIME TO WASTE The week's best photos

Just 18, Matt Jurusik didn’t shy away BEHIND THE DESK

GREG ANDERSON from becoming Wisconsin’s starting Alumni an asset to Badgers goaltender. The opportunity is what drew him to UW in the first place. THE VOICE Builders always welcome

BY THE NUMBERS LUCAS AT LARGE Facts and figures on UW

MENTORS LEFT MARK WHAT TO WATCH Where to catch the Badgers Wisconsin’s new defensive backs ICON SPORTSWIRE coach is proudly a product of his ex­ ASK THE BADGERS periences ― and Jim Leonhard had Who would you challenge? plenty over a 10-year NFL career. BADGERING-SCROLL FOR MORE­ Matt Hutchins (M. Swimming) Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711

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Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications

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Brian Mason Managing Editor

Mike Lucas Senior Writer

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Matt Lepay Columnist

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Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom

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© 2016 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM Long list of mentors left mark on Leonhard DAVID STLUKA

roy Vincent. Lawyer Milloy. care of my body and all the off­ be former Wisconsin All-Ameri­ Nate Clements. London the-field stuff as well. There’s a can offensive Joe Thom­ TFletcher. Takeo Spikes. reason why you play that long as, who has gone to nine Pro Ray Lewis. Terrell Spikes. Haloti in the NFL and they were more Bowls in nine seasons with the Ngata. Ed Reed. Derrick Mason. than willing to show the way on . Thomas and Darrelle Revis. Peyton Manning. how to do that.” Leonhard were teammates with Chris Harris. Von Miller. Joe Leonhard had two tours of duty the Badgers and, more recently, Thomas. Karlos Dansby. Rex with the Bills along with stints as with the Browns during the 2014 Ryan. Mike Pettine. Jim O’Neil. a safety and punt return special­ season. Chuck Pagano, et al. ist with the , “Joe is on a long list of guys Wisconsin’s new defensive , that I’ve played with that does backs coach, Jim Leonhard, has and Cleveland Browns. What things the right way, day-in and a long short list. bodes well for him in his first day-out,” Leonhard said. “It’s not Throughout his 10-year NFL teaching assignment as a coach a shock when you’re around him career, he was impacted by is all the knowledge that he col­ every day on why he’s that good. teammates, head coaches and lected as a player. Yes, he has physical ability. But defensive coordinators. Leon­ “Not only was I surrounded by it’s everything else that makes hard’s first stop as an undrafted a ton of talent,” said Leonhard, him an All-Pro.” free agent was in Buffalo where who had 427 tackles and 14 Leonhard always felt privileged he was influenced by the sec­ picks in 142 career games, “but to be in the company of great­ ondary starters: Vincent, the for­ you’d see guys with the whole ness and for having been ex­ mer Badgers cornerback; Milloy package, the mindset, the work posed to industrious players like and Clements. ethic. That’s what makes them Thomas. “You can’t help but be­ “Big-time veterans, just real truly special. They’re willing to come better by seeing it,” he said professionals,” Leonhard said. put in the work and not just rely of Thomas’ total commitment to “They taught me how to play the on their talent.” his profession. “And you try and game the right way, how to take Falling in that category would take that mindset with you.”

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 1 OF 2 LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ■ UWBADGERS.COM

“NOT ONLY WAS I SURROUNDED BY A TON OF TALENT, BUT YOU’D SEE GUYS WITH THE WHOLE PACKAGE, THE MINDSET, THE WORK ETHIC,” LEONHARD SAID. “THAT’S WHAT MAKES THEM TRULY SPECIAL.”

Obviously, he succeeded be­ cause NFL coaches recognized Leonhard’s value in this context. “Rex was probably my favorite Leonhard’s narrative has in­ there are so many different ways head coach to play for just be­ spired others to travel that same to get it done. cause he gave me my first real path to Wisconsin ― just as he “There’s no ideal height, weight, chance to start in the league,” was inspired by Jason Doering, speed. Obviously, the bigger, he said of the loquacious Ryan, a two-time captain (1999-2000) faster combination is ideal. But who toiled 22 years as an assis­ and a former walk-on out of I can’t say that I want you to be tant before getting his first head Rhinelander. Doering was a big 6-3, 215. That would be selling coaching job. “He’s a guy who bopper at safety and leading myself (5-8, 188) short. It’s about cares about his players. His big tackler three straight years in the instincts; the around-the-ball-type thing is trust. secondary. of guy; that kid that always finds a “He doesn’t care what you look “When I was really getting in­ way to be successful.” like or where you came from ― terested in Wisconsin football What about the corners? high draft pick, low draft pick, growing up,” said Leonhard, “to “Cornerback is a little bit differ­ free agent. If you can perform on see that from him every Saturday ent,” Leonhard said. “There’s so Sundays, he’s going to get you on ― the energy and the passion much more technique that you the field somehow. You realized that he played with ― meant a lot have to play ― just the compet­ if you put in the work and did the to me. It gave me that example itiveness of it ― because you’re right things, you were going to that ‘I can do it.’ There were not out there on an island playing get rewarded for it.” many bigger hitters than him in your own little game. It’s going Leonhard can directly speak the program.” to be fun for me to coach both to the reward ― a scholarship ― If Leonhard could build the positions. that every college walk-on is seek­ “perfect” safety, what qualities “Obviously, I have a lot of in­ ing. His name is among those would he have? side knowledge on playing safety on a special wall display outside “It all starts with communica­ and making plays there. But I’ve of the Wisconsin locker room tion and having some pre-snap been around some of the best in Camp Randall Stadium. The awareness,” he said. “It’s a posi­ corners to ever do it (Revis Is­ board celebrates the history and tion where you can not only cov­ land, for one) and I’ve picked up achievements of UW walk-ons. er up people’s mistakes but you so many things from them and I “It means a lot to me,” Leon­ can prevent them from happen­ would love to pass them on.” hard said, “to be a part of that ing if you have that awareness. Influencing them like others group.” As far as physical attributes, have influenced him. ■

LUCAS AT LARGE PAGE 2 OF 2 BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ ■ UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Alumni an asset for athletic department egardless of where you secondary coach. He had great players some time off. I think go, if you talk to someone respect throughout his NFL ca­ some people abuse it. There’s Rwith fundraising or strength reer as a player and the reputa­ a lot of conversation right now and conditioning; someone with tion of being a coach on the field. about doing right by student-ath­ the administration or the football He can now share his experi­ letes. Some coaches feel like staff, you’re hearing the same ences as a pro athlete and as one they’re missing out on something message. of our former student-athletes. or getting shortchanged ― or You have people in the weight The same holds true for two oth­ someone is going to get an edge room that understand how the er recent hires: Chris McIntosh, on them ― if they’re not grinding program was built and how we our new Associate Athletic Direc­ their athletes. have to sustain it. And you hear tor for Business Development, These are some of the same it from a number of different and John Stocco, a director in coaches who feel like they have coaches who went through it. our Athletic Development Office. to spend all night in the office You are also hearing it from I’ve always been impressed breaking down film or drawing up administrators who are communi­ with Chris. As an athlete, an plays. You reach a of di­ cating with the coaches and com­ All-American tackle, he always minishing returns. municating with the kids and the took leadership very seriously. He I know is very sen­ same message is being delivered. was not shy about coming to me sitive about his players and their You’re hearing it from a lot with issues or suggestions. After time demands. He’s sensitive of different people in different his pro career was cut short by as far as when to back off when areas. That’s healthy because injuries, he went out into the pub­ they’re tired and how you shorten these people have had success lic sector and was very successful practices as the season wears on. here and understand how you in business. He brings that men­ As a coach, you realize there have to go about your business. tality to athletics. He’s not afraid are different ways. There’s no They understand the type of to think outside of the box. book to tell you when to back student-athletes that we’re going I’ve always said that it’s im­ off or when to push; when to get to recruit and the importance of portant to surround yourself with after somebody or when to put in-state recruiting. They under­ smart people who are willing to your arm around them. stand the type of people that we express themselves and bring You often rely on your athlet­ bring in here and develop. new ideas. That’s why I think ic trainers, strength coaches or That’s the value of having so John is such a good fit, too. equipment managers to find out many alumni contributing to our Earlier this week, I took part in what the mood is in the locker programs throughout the athletic some regularly-scheduled Big room. And you respond accord­ department. Ten meetings in Chicago with se­ ingly to the situation and what As former players, they bought nior women’s administrators, ath­ you’re hearing. into what makes us successful. letic directors and faculty reps. Everyone is discussing student And now they have the oppor­ There was discussion on student welfare issues today. People look tunity to send out that message welfare issues, mostly involving at it differently. Some coaches to all of our student-athletes and time management. don’t quite get it. That’s not the those that we’re recruiting. Training has become a year- case with our coaches, who have People know how I feel about round thing. Many coaches are the athletes’ best interests at the hiring of Jim Leonhard as our very sensitive about giving their heart. ■

BEHIND THE DESK PAGE 1 OF 1 THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY ■ VOICE OF THE BADGERS Badgers’ builders always welcomed back he stars were out last Sun­ Griffith is a former teammate and It is it fun to see these former day night at the Kohl Cen­ longtime friend of current UW student-athletes (or, as Hayes Tter for the Badgers basket­ assistant Howard Moore. Among likes to say, “athletic students”) ball game against Illinois. Moore’s many talents is his ability return for a visit. In addition, it is That includes an impressive to connect with fellow Badgers of important. They should always roster of football and past seasons. feel connected to the university. players who gave fans a lot of Today’s Badgers cannot help Clearly, the success level of their reason to shout for joy. Past UW but notice Griffith’s size. Seeing respective teams can vary, but all standouts such as Joe Thomas him reminded me that when he of them are part of a group who and his wife, Annie. Hard to be­ arrived in Madison, he was big­ lived the dream of playing inter­ lieve Joe will be entering his 10th ger than life. collegiate athletics at the highest NFL season with the Cleveland He still is. Griffith also was a level. At a world-class university. Browns. In addition to twice win­ very good player. He was here That puts them in select com­ ning the NFL Walter Payton Man just two seasons but, as a sopho­ pany. of the Year Award, Thomas has more, averaged a double-double, The longer I am around to wit­ earned first-team All-Pro recogni­ scoring 17 points per game and ness the games people play, the tion six times. grabbing nearly 11 rebounds. more I see how much these play­ Not bad. Of course, Annie has Nigel Hayes has noticed. I just ers of the past appreciate what an excellent athletic background had to ask him how he would they had as a Badger. Hopefully of her own. As a Wisconsin bas­ have defended Griffith. Hayes, the rest of us appreciate what ketball player, she earned Ac­ who has very little time for they brought to the table in their ademic All-Big Ten recognition straight answers, served up more time wearing cardinal and white. three times. She also has been of the tongue-in-cheek material The current Badgers work hard a broadcaster and an assistant that has made him somewhat in performing their craft in some coach at Cleveland State. famous. “Oh, easy money,” he of the nation’s best facilities. As Good people. Proud Badgers. cracked. “His (Griffith’s) range fans, we enjoy watching them in The same can be said of Ben looks like two-and-a-half feet. By these much-improved venues. Brust and Josh Gasser. Ben is the touch, send him to the free As we do that, it never hurts to back in the Chicago area, while throw line. Easy money.” remember all of those athletes Josh was in town briefly before Just Nigel being Nigel. from previous seasons. Let’s face returning to Germany to continue Joking aside, Hayes’ strategy it ― their efforts helped build UW his professional basketball ca­ probably isn’t bad. Athletics into the successful de­ reer. During a media timeout in shooting was not one of Griffith’s partment it is today. the second half, those two broke strengths, but in the Badgers’ Yes, those involved continue to into spirit squad mode. They re­ 1994 NCAA Tournament victory strive for improvement. But there ceived high marks for getting the over Cincinnati, the freshman are number of schools that would student section going a little bit. center knocked down 12 of 14 love to copy the Badger Way. Also in the house were Sharif from the line. It led the Badgers Those who helped build the Chambliss and Rashard Griffith. to their first tourney win since the Badgers are always welcome. The Chambliss was taking a quick national title year of 1941. reception those folks received on break from his duties as an as­ Not that Nigel would remember Sunday night made that perfectly sistant coach at UW-Milwaukee. ’94. He wasn’t born yet. clear. And rightly so. ■

THE VOICE PAGE 1 OF 1 ASK THE BADGERS

WHAT STUDENT-ATHLETE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHALLENGE? IN THEIR SPORT? PAUL CAPOBIANCO GREG ANDERSON TAM FLARUP NEIL AMENT

BROOKE FERRELL MICHAEL KNIPPEN KELLI BATES ALEC INGOLD Junior ■ Women’s Golf Senior ■ Men’s Rowing Sophomore ■ Volleyball Redshirt Freshman ■ Football Edgerton, Wis. Germantown, Wis. Bradley, Ill. Green Bay, Wis.

“I would be up to “If I could chall­ “I want to play “Eric Peissig. He challenging Jenny enge any other stu­ Kelsey Jenkins from beat me my soph­ Ryan on the ice. I dent-athlete in their softball because she omore year in the know I will never sport, it would be hits home runs ev­ semifinals at state beat her when it Zak Showalter ery game and I want wrestling, when comes to one-on­ in a to see how good ― he was a senior. I one hockey, but contest. Seeing or bad ― I would be think I have about hopefully she would Zak play basketball against her.” 40 pounds on him give me a fighting back in German­ now, so I want a re­ chance and take it town and now as a match.” easy on me.” Badger I know what dunks he has in his back pocket. I also watched the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, so I have some solid inspiration.” JACK McLAUGHLIN DAVID STLUKA DAVID STLUKA LARRY ILES BADGERING

MATT HUTCHINS

Matt Hutchins is the reigning conference champion in the 500-yard ALL ABOUT MATT freestyle heading into this week’s conference meet, where he hopes to Year: Junior lead the way for the Badgers in West Lafayette, Indiana. He also con­ Height: 6-3 tributed to UW’s runner-up finish in the 800 freestyle relay last year and Events: Freestyle went on to earn three honorable mention All-America nods at the NCAA Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand championships. A native of Christchurch, New Zealand, Hutchins owns Go to full bio » three school records for UW and enters championship season ranked No. 2 nationally in the 1,650 freestyle. QUICK Qs WITH MATT Favorite campus spot? What would it mean to you to earn a second Big Ten title this “Either Casa de Lara or the student sec­ year? tion on game day.” “I think it would be really cool. I think last year was definitely Best vacation? a surprise. It was cool, but it wasn’t really expected. This year, “Los Angeles to Vegas and then back I’ve got my own expectations and the coaches have their own through San Francisco. I traveled with friends and their family and it was a

SCROLL expectations, so it would be nice to come in and be able to prove that it wasn’t a fluke and there’s some consistency.” really good time.” Favorite food? How do you get ready for championship meets? “Probably Mexican food. I eat a lot of “I just try to relax as much as I possibly can. I definitely try to Qdoba. If my mom was making some­ stay out of my head. When I was younger, I tried to overthink thing, she makes a really nice meatloaf everything and I’d freak out. So I try to not do that now. I don’t that I always ask for when I go home.” visualize, but I try to chill out and watch TV and zone out as Most prized possession? much as possible.” “Can I say my bed? A lot of things I’ve collected over the years, like trophies, What is the atmosphere been like around the team this year? medals and stuff like that. The things to “There’s definitely been a step up in intensity this year. In prac­ remember what I’ve done in the past.” tice, at the start of the year, the men’s team especially wanted to make a new standard from last year because we were a little bit disappointed where we finished at Big Tens. There’s defi- nitely a lot more vocal energy than we’ve had in the past in the pool, in the weight room and at meets. It’s been really fun to be around, so I would say that it’s a big step up from where it was last year.”

What makes swimming so special to you? “It’s something that I’ve done for so long now. I’ve been through so much in the sport of swimming. I started competitively swim- ming when I was maybe 12. It was a late start, but I’ve done so much with it. At home, there’s being national champions, re- cords and stuff, but then and the fact that it’s brought me all the way to America and hopefully a trip to Brazil in the summer. I’ve been all around the world. I think just what it’s done for me. It has definitely made me fitter. The things that I’ve been able to do with swimming are things that I’ll never forget and probably would never have had the chance to do.” ■ DAN SANGER / ICON SPORTSWIRE PLAYING POINT GUARD PUT THE BALL IN BRONSON KOENIG’S HANDS ON EVERY POSSESSION. BEING ONE OF THE FEW EXPERIENCED RETURNERS FOR WISCONSIN PUT A TARGET ON HIS BACK. ALL OF THAT COMBINED TO PUT PLENTY OF WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS. HOWEVER, SINCE HE STARTED PUSHING THE BUTTONS THAT MAKE THE SWING OFFENSE GO, KOENIG HAS FELT THE PRESSURE RECEDE AND HIS PRODUCTION REACH A LEVEL MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE BADGERS’ FLOOR GENERAL EXPECTS FROM HIMSELF. DAN SANGER / ICON SPORTSWIRE

y the time Bronson Koenig got out of the Kohl first half― Koenig was 1-of-7 from the field, Nigel Center on Sunday night, it was nearing 10 Hayes was 0-for-5 ― and the Badgers trailed by as Bo’clock and he still had to grab something many as 13 in the second half. to eat and write a paper, a rough draft for a Mon­ But they were able to mount a spirited comeback day morning class, not the easiest thing to do when on the strength of a 17-0 run, their second in three you’re still decompressing emotionally after playing games (they also had a 17-0 counterpunch at Mary­ 34 minutes in a tense Big Ten game. land). So while they were getting stops and forcing It’s even tougher to get to sleep on such nights. Illinois turnovers, they were making shots and draw­ Especially when you’re replaying so many things in ing fouls to get to the free throw line. your mind because they’re still so fresh and you’re That has been a winning recipe around Madison still so wired. “That’s definitely what always hap­ for a very long time. pens,” Koenig said with a sigh. “You think about the “I knew things weren’t going our way, but I knew times you messed up and the stuff you could have we were going to make a run,” said Koenig, who has done better.” become more and more comfortable with his lead­ In addition, everything is magnified by the im­ ership responsibilities. “When people were starting portance of these February games for a Wisconsin to put their heads down, I just told them ‘Get your team, an NCAA tournament bubble team, that does heads up. We have a run in us and they’re going to not have a large margin of error. “Usually I’ve got start missing shots.’” a lot of adrenaline going so it’s kind of hard to fall Koenig was motivated by something else Sunday asleep right away,” Koenig said. “I do eventually. But night at the Kohl Center. it’s definitely tougher after losses.” “We couldn’t lose with those guys back,” he said. Although Wisconsin rallied for a 69-60 victory over Captain America was in the house. So was the En­ Illinois, there were still plenty of things to keep him ergizer Benny. awake. The offense got off to a sluggish start in the Josh Gasser and Ben Brust.

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 2 OF 7 Gasser led the 2015 Final Four team in minutes played, intangi­ bles and family caravans. Nobody traveled like the Gasser clan from Port Washington. Brust led the 2014 Final Four team in minutes played, 3-point scoring and cheerleading broth­ ers. Nobody stirred up a crowd like Jonathan and Stephen Brust. Gasser flew in from Germany― where he’s playing professionally ― to have an injury checked out. Brust drove up from Illinois ― where he’s in business with Jona­ than ― to see old friends. “It was awesome to have those guys back,” Koenig enthused. Both former UW guards/gym rats have influenced Koenig’s develop­ ment as a player/leader. Brust and Koenig were together for one year, Gasser and Koenig for two. MARY / USA LANGENFELD TODAY SPORTS “Ben was a leader who led by ex­ ample and did all the little things,” Koenig said. “He was kind of like Josh in the way he did all the dirty Gasser, making a brief stop in Madison before returning to his pro career in work. He took charges and got a Germany, liked what he saw out of Koenig and the Badgers against Illinois. lot of rebounds for being such a small guard. He was a really good example for me. team. Especially earlier in the year, you could tell “Josh was the same. Led by example. Did all the that they were frustrated.” dirty work. Took charges. Played defense on the oth­ Koenig has admitted as much. er team’s best player. All that kind of stuff. Josh is “I was pretty frustrated; I was stressed out that the most favorite teammate I’ve ever had ― just how things weren’t going the way that I had planned for unselfish he was. He was always in the right position them to go,” he said. “But that’s life. I never gave doing the right thing at the right time.” up. I was never too worried. I knew after awhile we’d In attempting to take the best from Gasser and be fine. Everyone is seeing that we’ve progressed. Brust, the 21-year-old Koenig said, “I’ve tried to em­ But we still have a long way to go.” ulate their games in any little way I can and also Gasser talked about how Koenig had to adjust his incorporate the skills that I have, as well.” game to how opponents were defending him. To this end, Gasser offered some thoughts on how “Every time he comes off a ball , he’s seeing Koenig has handled a different role in a Wisconsin bodies,” Gasser said. “The big guy (opposing cen­ program that suffered heavy personnel losses and ter) is coming out with him as opposed to last year underwent a mid-season coaching transition from when they were sticking with Frank (Kaminsky). Bo Ryan to . They weren’t going to leave Frank open, so Bronson DAVID STLUKA “It’s very different for him,” Gasser said. “I keep had a lot more room to operate.” in touch with Bronson and a lot of the guys on the Koenig has acknowledged as much.

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 3 OF 7 “It has been a little tough,” he said. “Obviously I’m sure we’ll get better with time.” not having the shooters that we’ve had, the floor is Brust, who joined the team for its be­ nowhere near as spaced. There are not as many fore the Illinois game, has taken notice of something driving lines. Guys are scouting me a lot harder and with Koenig that only another scorer might pick up getting up and pressuring me a lot more. I mean, on. “A lot of times Bronson is missing shots when it’s tough. All I really tell myself after having a tough he’s open,” he said. “When he has a hand in his game is that it’s only going to make me better in the face, he has a laser focus in his eyes where he knows long run.” that he’s knocking it down.” When Gard took over, he Koenig has conceded as recommitted to the Swing of­ “I WAS PRETTY FRUSTRATED; I WAS much. fense, long a UW staple. With “For some reason, I just feel so many skilled offensive STRESSED OUT THAT“ THINGS WEREN’T more comfortable when a guy players the last few years, the GOING THE WAY THAT I HAD PLANNED is closer to me than when I’m Badgers got away from it to FOR THEM TO GO,” KOENIG SAID. “BUT wide open sometimes,” he tap into the individual talent. THAT’S LIFE. I NEVER GAVE UP.” said. “I don’t know exactly “Before we put the Swing in, why that is. the spacing was pretty bad,” “From the start, there were said Koenig, who started 24 games last season for not many driving lines and I’ve been forced to take the injured . “I felt like when I tried so many more tough shots. My shot has felt really to drive, I was literally running into guys. Now, it gives good the past six games (all in double-figure scor­ everyone a spot to be in and they know where to go, ing). The past couple of games, I felt like I could especially the younger players. have had 30-point games. I just wasn’t aggressive “It’s five guys constantly moving and cutting and enough, whatsoever, and that’s my fault.” screening. It’s about getting the ball in the post and What’s the best advice that Gasser could give to playing inside-out and getting to the free throw line. Koenig? It’s a continuity offense. There are a lot of actions off “Keep plugging along, keep learning,” said Gas­ the Swing that we haven’t really picked up on yet. ser, who was scheduled to return to Germany on DAN SANGER / ICON SPORTSWIRE

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 4 OF 7 Monday. “He knows how to win, it’s clear he knows Since leaving La Crosse, Koenig has still stayed in how to win. He has been in two Final Fours in his touch with Donarski and Schneider. first two seasons and he played a big part in both of “I talk to them quite a bit about everything,” Koe­ those seasons. nig said. “They know the game and they see what’s “He has to trust himself that he knows that he can going on. It’s definitely comforting that other people lead a team because he has can see how I’m seeing it.” shown that he can.” Most of their communica­ Koenig has accepted as “HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN, IT’S CLEAR tion has centered on positive much. HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN,” GASSER SAID. reinforcement. “That’s something I’ve “ “He has a real high basket­ “HE HAS TO TRUST HIMSELF THAT HE been working on ― trying to ball IQ,” said Donarski. “Even be the best leader that I can KNOWS THAT HE CAN LEAD A TEAM if he’s frustrated, he knows be,” he said. “I think I’ve got- BECAUSE HE HAS SHOWN THAT HE CAN.” what the right answers are. ten more vocal, which has So, in a lot of cases, in those helped out guys. You have to know how you can lead conversations, he ends up answering a lot of his own every single person and how you can talk to every- questions because he just knows how to play. one, because not everyone responds the same way. “And, certainly, it’s all about winning with him. It “Me and Nigel talk a lot about what’s go- always has been. I feel like it’s a reflection of what ing on with the team and what we need to has happened over the last eight games. You can do. After the Northwestern loss, we kind really see a big transition with that basketball of put our heads together and decided team. It’s not just him, but he has a large role in enough is enough. We’re going to have a being their floor leader.” team meeting and get all of our emotions Given several mentions of “stress,” how does out in the open. I think it did us a lot Koenig relieve the stress? of good.” “I do a little meditation, which There was a much different helps quite a bit,” he said. “I try to leadership dynamic for Koe- get my mind off basketball, wheth- nig at La Crosse Aquinas er it’s going to a movie or just High School. getting more rest. It has been

“In high school his play STEVE GOTTER a long season and could dictate so much I’ve played a lot of the game whether of minutes, so he was vocal or not,” I try to get as said Dave Donarski, much rest as I a Koenig confidant possibly can.” and mentor. Donarski Koenig just assisted head coach Rick started doing Schneider at Aquinas before meditation on the rec- taking over the girls’ program a ommendation of Fred Nicklaus, the couple of years ago. owner and master instructor of Mar- “We trusted him just like Coach tial Arts America in La Crosse. Nick- Gard does to make the right deci- laus’ son, Kirk, played with Koenig sions and the right reads. That’s re- on one of Aquinas’ state champion- ally where he’s at his best. We gave ship teams. Koenig wasn’t interest- him that at the high school level, a lot ed in learning karate moves to ward of the confidence to go and do it. And I off Big Ten defenders. But he went feel like the same thing is occurring this to Nicklaus for some core training year.” exercises, many involving boxing.

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 5 OF 7 “I wouldn’t spar or get hit or anything,” said the 6-4, 193-pound Koenig. “But I’d work with the bag and he’d have hand pads on. At first, I was like, ‘How is this going to help my basketball?’ But I did some research and talked to other guys who had done some boxing in the past and it was great for me.” RICHARD DUNBAR: “Bronson was looking for a little different way to “MARK MY WORDS, DALLAS JEANTY train (during the offseason) as opposed to just hit­ ting the weights and the normal cardio stuff,” Do­ WILL SOMEDAY BE A POSITIVE narski said. “This was a welcomed opportunity to do FIGURE IN AMERICA.” something different. There are some funny videos of him working out, punching and stuff.” Laughing, he noted, “I’m glad he’s a basketball player and doesn’t have to live with his fists.” As far as being introduced to the powers of med­ itation, Koenig said, “It works when I do it consis­ tently. That’s the , consistency. A lot of successful people meditate every single day, like Kobe (Bryant) and LeBron (James), and a number of others. When I was stressed out, I meditated.” There has been far less stress lately. Over the last six games, Koenig has scored 11, 13, 12, 16, 12 and 14 points. Consistency. There haven’t been the wide swings in production like the 27 he scored in the first Michigan State game to the eight that he had in the very next game at Penn State. In four of the last five games, he has connected on three 3-pointers. Overall, Koenig has made at least one triple in 38 consecutive games, one shy of the school record held by Sean Mason (1995-99). Moreover, he has been guilty of just seven turnovers the last 186 minutes. “He has been getting back to some of the things that we were counting on him to do and he has been playing better overall,” said UW assistant coach Lam­ ont Paris. “He has been really solid with the ball and you see his numbers for assists-to-turnovers getting back to where we’re used to with him. That helps set the tone for how we’re going to play.” Gard feels like Koenig is just scratching the sur­ face as a floor general. “I think he can still be a much more effective point guard as time goes on,” said Gard. “This has been a

DAN SANGER / ICON SPORTSWIRE big adjustment for him this year. Bronson and Nigel have not only had to go through a learning curve on the floor, where they’re getting everybody’s best shot, they’ve also had to adjust to a new role.

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 6 OF 7 JOHN FISHER / CAL SPORT MEDIA

“Their seats have changed, so to speak, in our Koenig has never lost confidence in his shot, nor locker room. They went from sitting in the fifth, sixth, has he lost his focus on the team and all the things seventh, eight row to being up in row one. That’s that go into playing as one. “Playing for each other as big of a challenge as anything that Bronson has and being unselfish,” he said. “And that’s not nec­ seen on the floor, too.” essarily just passing the ball. It’s doing everything It’s only a two and one-half hour drive to La Crosse within your power to help the team, whether that’s and Koenig has enjoyed going back home, particu­ chasing guys off screens or boxing out every single larly when he can spend a month or so there during possession. Those are the little things that you can the offseason. do to help the team win.” “We have enjoyed his Looking back on how time back, too,” Donarski this season unfolded with said. “He’s in the spot­ “IT’S ALL ABOUT WINNING WITH HIM. IT ALWAYS HAS all of its rough edges, with light in La Crosse but BEEN. YOU CAN REALLY SEE A BIG TRANSITION WITH so much inexperience on it’s a little different than the roster and so many THAT BASKETBALL TEAM.“ IT’S NOT JUST HIM, BUT HE HAS downtown Madison. We unexpected home losses, can kind of kick back and A LARGE ROLE IN BEING THEIR FLOOR LEADER.” Koenig confided, “I put a talk about basketball. We lot of pressure on myself. tape all of his games and we’ll sit and watch them. And no one is going to play up to their potential when He has really become a big part of my family over they do that. Now, I feel like I’m going out there and the course of the last seven years. He’s like a brother letting the game come to me more. I’m not pressur­ to my kids.” ing myself and forcing the issue.” Donarksi, like Gard, is buying Koenig stock. “I per­ He could probably write a book on what he has sonally know him really, really well,” he said, “and he gone through. has more to give to this team. He has shown some Sunday night, he settled for writing a paper; a incredible spurts of growth.” rough draft, at that.

BRONSON KOENIG: POINT THE WAY PAGE 7 OF 7 CHRISTIAN BLATNER The challenge of being put between the pipes as the nation’s youngest starting goaltender did not deter Matt Jurusik. To the contrary ― the chance to control the crease from the start was exactly what drew the 18-year-old to Wisconsin when the opportunity was presented last summer. Since then, Jurusik has been reminded, painfully, of just how fleeting time can be and reminded, excitedly, of just how valuable each day can be when it comes to progressing toward his goals.

nder most circumstances, the milestone that “Really tough to hear,” Matt said. Matt Jurusik reached that Saturday afternoon “It was a tough moment for both of us,” the father Uin early December would have been cause for said. “I think we both recognized how much of a fan euphoria. he was of Matt.” In his 14th start as the freshman goaltender for Kowalski, the father of five and grandfather of 12, the Wisconsin men’s hockey team, Jurusik made 28 was 79. Five weeks earlier, he and his wife, Helen, saves and turned in his first career shutout during a accompanied their son-in-law to Madison to watch 3-0 victory over Michigan State. Matt play in a non-conference series opener against The win on Dec. 12 was huge at the time. It closed Arizona State. They saw Matt make 18 saves in a out a difficult first half of the season on an upbeat 5-1 victory and later had a keepsake photo ― Matt note. It salvaged a series split one day after UW blew between his beaming grandparents ― taken at the a pair of two-goal leads and dropped a 4-3 decision Kohl Center. to the Spartans. It also ended a six-game winless Tracy Jurusik said the trip from Burr Ridge, Illi­ streak. nois, fulfilled a wish her father had. But as the red and white Badger Bus made its way “He really wanted to see Matthew play in Madi­ JACK M c from Munn Ice Arena to the airport in East Lansing, son,” she said. “He was so glad he had a chance Michigan, Jurusik was in mourning. to.” LAUGHLIN His father, Mike, had just pulled him aside and That trip was one of the memories that came flood­ told him that his maternal grandfather, Jerry Kowal­ ing back to Matt and his father as they had their poi­ ski, had died in his sleep earlier that day. gnant talk. GREG ANDERSON

GOALTENDER MATT JURUSIK: NO TIME TO WASTE PAGE 2 OF 5 youngest starting goaltender among the 59 NCAA Division I programs ― he wanted access to as much playing time as possible. “I KNEW I’D HAVE A CHANCE TO That ultimately led him to the Badgers, whose lone PLAY RIGHT AWAY.“ I WANTED TO PUSH returnees, senior Adam Miller and redshirt freshman MYSELF TO STEP IN AS A YOUNG GUY Gabe Grunwald, had zero starts between them. AND PLAY AT THIS LEVEL.” “A lot of colleges were interested in him, but he had it in his mind that he wanted a big-time program and he was going to hold out for that,” Tracy Jurusik “We had a couple tears, but also a couple smiles said. reminiscing on Grandpa K and everything he did “I knew I’d have a chance to play right away,” said when he was around,” Matt said. “We have a ton of Matt, who also had drawn interest from multiple Ma­ good memories, and that makes it easier.” jor Junior clubs in Canada. “I wanted to push myself Jurusik and his grandfather, who ran a trucking to step in as a young guy and play at this level.” company in Summit, Illinois, were close even though Landing Jurusik wasn’t all that difficult, but the Matt had been away from his home in LaGrange, Illi­ mechanics of getting him admitted to school, find- nois, playing hockey since junior high school. ing housing and inserting him into an unfamiliar “My dad was so proud of him,” Tracy said. “I know he was my No. 1 fan,” Matt said. That emotional moment is part of a unique narrative that is Matt Jurusik’s rookie season with the Badgers. It’s been anything but ordinary. Until mid-summer Jurusik wasn’t part of the picture at UW. Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves had signed Luke Opilka out of the U.S. Na­ tional Team Developmental Program and Opilka was the projected starter for 2015-16 and beyond. But Opilka decided in early July that he would turn pro, signing with his hometown St. Louis Blues after they tabbed him in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft and creating a huge void on the UW roster. Eaves and his new staff, associate head coach Luke Strand and assistant JB Bittner, knew of Jurusik and his stellar work with Janesville of the North Ameri- can Hockey League (33 wins, 1.57 goals against average, .939 save ratio) last sea- son. Another recruiting process kicked into gear. Jurusik’s late grandfather, Jerry Kowalski, and grandmother, A host of schools had targeted Jurusik Helen, had the chance to see their grandson score a win at the

DAVID STLUKA for 2016-17, but not only was he intent Kohl Center before “Grandpa K” passed away in December. on playing as an 18-year-old ― he’s the

GOALTENDER MATT JURUSIK: NO TIME TO WASTE PAGE 3 OF 5 “IF YOU’RE JUST A PURE HOCKEY PERSON, YOU’RE THINKING “THOSE NUMBERS AREN’T VERY GOOD,” EAVES SAID. “BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE, THOSE NUMBERS ARE DARN GOOD.”

I got them off and grew up a little bit, so it’s going good.” Jurusik, one of nine freshmen to play in at least 10 games for the Badgers, goes by the curious nickname of “Jannie.” It was bestowed upon him by a fellow rook­ ie, winger Luke Kunin, and refers to Steve Janaszak, the backup goaltender for Team USA in 1980 who never played for the iconic gold medal winners in the Win­ ter Olympics. “The first week we here he was just jok­ ing around,” Jurusik said of Kunin. “It just stuck. “I think it might have been a little of a backhanded compliment or chirp, but I like it. I think it’s funny and the guys like it, too.” Jurusik has turned in some noteworthy performances. In addition to getting his first career shutout on the road, he beat the top-ranked team on the road ― a 3-1

BRIAN EBNER decision over North Dakota on Nov. 6 ― and made 54 saves ― the most by UW freshman ― during a 4-3 overtime loss at Penn State. team setting at that late stage were “daunting,” ac­ But his overall statistics ― 6-13-6, 3.37 goals cording to Eaves. against and a .892 save ratio in 27 starts ― suggest “It was so crazy,” Tracy Jurusik said. “I do remem­ there have been some struggles, too. ber thinking it was pretty flawless, but there was a lot “They’re definitely not good numbers,” Jurusik to do in a very short amount of time. said, “but I’m a young guy and I’m learning. There’ve “It was a crazy time, but it all worked out miracu­ been a couple blips in the road, but other than that lously.” I’ve had some really solid games over the course of Jurusik, listed at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, is the year.” young enough that he showed up on campus wear­ That description fits the Badgers, who are 6-15-7 ing braces on his teeth. They were gone before the overall, but have had the lead or been tied in the first game, but not before he caught some good-na­ third period of 18 games. They’ve also overcome tured flak from teammates. third-period deficits in 10 games, but have been un­ “That didn’t help with the chirping,” he said. “But able to get over the hump (0-4-6).

GOALTENDER MATT JURUSIK: NO TIME TO WASTE PAGE 4 OF 5 “It’s about finding consistency and the numbers hasn’t decided on a major, but had a 2.5 grade-point will come up,” Jurusik said of his own game. “I see average his first semester. it as I need to settle down and become more consis­ “It was a little hectic for a couple months there, tent. but it settled down a couple weeks into school,” he “I really don’t see myself as an under .900 goalie, said. but that’s where I am right now. I just need to work Jurusik was asked if he has a philosophy for being every day and get better. The better I get the better adaptable. chance we have to win as a team.” “I just feel everything will work out eventually,” he Eaves said judging Jurusik’s season to date means said. “You just have to work hard and put your mind looking at the big picture, not a thumbnail sketch. to it. “You take all that’s gone on in his life, if you’re just “You have to have fun. I haven’t had a bad day a pure hockey person, you’re thinking those num­ here yet. I’m having fun every day. bers aren’t very good,” Eaves said. “But if you look “We’re going in the right direction. I’m going in the at the whole picture, those numbers are darn good.” right direction.” Eaves used one of his go-to analogies to describe Before he died, Jurusik’s grandfather saw him win how Jurusik has made his way to this point. his first collegiate game. “There are games that he would say as he’s climb­ After he died, it’s fair to wonder if Grandpa K was ing his mountain he’s got a lot of storms that he’s involved once again in his first collegiate shutout. had to go through,” Eaves said. “He’s still on the “I have no doubt in my mind,” Tracy Jurusik said. side of the mountain and he’s making progress on “A lot of people have said that, that he was watch­ the darn thing.” ing over me as I played,” Matt said. “I don’t know Jurusik said things have calmed down since his if that’s what it took to get the job done, but it got whirlwind introduction to college life. He said he done.”

“You have to have fun,” Jurusik said. “I haven’t had a bad day here yet. I’m having fun every day.”

GOALTENDER MATT JURUSIK: NO TIME TO WASTE PAGE 5 OF 5 INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM JOHN FISHER/CAL SPORT MEDIA

Bracket Buzz: West the way for UW again? A look at projections of possible NCAA tournament seedings and matchups

f all the current NCAA tournament projections involving TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE the Wisconsin men’s basketball team, the one with the Omost dynamic storylines comes courtesy of analyst Joe Lunardi and ESPN. Lunardi’s latest bracket has the Badgers seeded eighth in the West Region and matched up with ninth-seeded Connecticut in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In that scenario, if UW can knock off the four-time NCAA cham­ pions it will earn a rematch with Oklahoma. The Sooners are pro­ jected as the top seed in the region based in part on their 65-48 non-conference home victory over Wisconsin on Nov. 29. SCROLL The region also has Duke as the fourth seed. That offers the possibility that UW and the Blue Devils could meet in the Sweet Sixteen a year after they played in the national championship game. The West Region field also includes 10th-seeded Syracuse,

whom the Badgers knocked off on the road 66-58 on Dec. 2, INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS as well as sixth-seeded Texas, whose first-year coach is Oregon High School product Shaka Smart. SOCIAL UW continued to remodel its once-damaged resume for a na- MEDIA: tional tournament berth with a 69-60 Big Ten Conference home victory over Illinois on Sunday. The Badgers (17-10 overall, 9-5 in league play) didn’t upgrade their status in the national power ratings, but they didn’t fall back, either, thanks to their comeback from a 13-point second-half deficit. Their ESPN Daily RPI remained at No. 44, although their strength of schedule slipped from fifth to sixth after they swept the season series from the Illini (12-15, 4-10). UW is regarded as a bubble team by some analysts ― Jerry Palm of CBS Sports currently has it seeded 10th and the last team in the field of 68― but its 18th-straight NCAA tournament berth could all but be secured this week. The fifth-place Badgers on Wednesday will try to become the first team to win at second-place Iowa (20-6, 11-3) this season. The Hawkeyes are 13-0 at home and are projected as the No. 2 seed in the West Region, according to Lunardi. They currently sit No. 13 in the ESPN RPI. A victory at Carver-Hawkeye Arena would be massive for UW, which already has a critical road win in league play. That came on Feb. 13 when it toppled Maryland (23-5, 11-4, No. 9 in the ESPN RPI) and handed the Terrapins their first-ever home loss in conference play. The trip to Iowa City will be followed by a game Sunday with Michigan (19-9, 9-6) at the Kohl Center. The Wolverines (54th in the ESPN RPI) appear to have a more precarious perch on the bubble than UW when it comes to an NCAA tournament berth, so a win in Madison would help immensely. The Badgers will close out the regular season at Minnesota on March 2 and at Purdue on March 6. It’s possible their NCAA tour- nament fate will be sealed by then. If not, more intrigue awaits. ■ INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM PAUL CAPOBIANCO

Five takeaways from Michigan State series Line combination of Rockwood, Malone and Soleway shows promise

ive takeaways from the Wisconsin men’s hockey team fol­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE lowing its Big Ten Conference series with Michigan State: F 1. UW coach Mike Eaves and his staff are always on the lookout for a cohesive line combination and they may have found one during 4-3 and 3-1 losses to the Spartans at the Kohl Center. The unit of sophomore left winger Adam Rockwood, freshman center Seamus Maloneand junior right winger Jedd Soleway was put together Saturday night and the results were encouraging. They not only produced the tying goal in the third ― Malone with a one-timer from the slot off a feed from Soleway ― Rockwood

SCROLL and Soleway drew consecutive penalties that set up a 5-on-3 power play opportunity. Unfortunately, the Badgers (6-15-7 over­ all, 1-10-3 in the Big Ten) failed to make adequate use of that 62-second two-man advantage and paid the price later in the session. According to UW associate head coach Luke Strand, Rockwood

and Soleway responded favorably to the decision to drop them to INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS the fourth line for the series. Rockwood is gifted at the offensive end, but his energy and tenacity in the other two zones needs SOCIAL to be more consistent. Soleway, meanwhile, used his 6-foot-3, MEDIA: 220-pound frame effectively around the net and showed the hun- ger of a veteran who wants to end a 15-game goal-less streak. “There’s another level of energy to everyone’s game that we’ve got to pull out,” Strand said. To that end, Strand suggested there might be more line chang- es, including a new look for the top unit, heading into a Big Ten series Friday and Saturday at Ohio State (9-17-2, 4-8-2). The line of freshman left winger Luke Kunin, sophomore center Cameron Hughes and junior right winger Grant Besse has been noticeable lately — a combined seven goals and 17 points in the last five games — but Strand asked some interesting rhetorical questions. “Can we use Kunin and Hughes to ignite someone else? Can we use Besse to ignite someone else?” Strand asked. INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY A.J. HARRISON ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

Badgers ready for postseason challenges Wisconsin opens WCHA playoffs by hosting Minnesota State at LaBahn Arena

fter winning its fifth WCHA regular season title and putting TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE together a 30-3-1 record during the regular season, a new Achallenge awaits third-ranked Wisconsin as the Badgers begin postseason play with a series against Minnesota State at LaBahn Arena. “I know they will want to come in and win these games to ex­ tend their season,” UW sophomore Baylee Wellhausen said. “We need to know that and not only match their intensity, but surpass it.” The best-of-three series begins Friday at 7 p.m. and continues Saturday at 4 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will be held SCROLL Sunday at 2 p.m. The winner advances to the WCHA Final Face- Off in Minneapolis, March 5-6. Wisconsin and Minnesota State meet for the second time in three weeks; the Badgers swept their series against the Maver­ icks in Madison the weekend of Feb. 13-14. UW followed a 4-0

win in the opener with a six-goal blitz in the third period of the INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS finale to cap the weekend with an 8-1 victory. “Even a few weekends ago when they were here, they gave us SOCIAL a couple of great games,” junior alternate captain Jenny Ryan MEDIA: said. “We can never take them lightly, because they will bring their A-game against us.” A factor that will help the Badgers’ intensity is the home crowd at LaBahn Arena. Wisconsin enters the series with a 22-game home winning streak that stretches back to Feb. 20, 2015. UW has been aided by one of the best crowds in the country, which produced a program-record nine sellouts this season. Wis- consin has averaged 1,997 fans per game, which ranks second in the country. INSIDE WRESTLING BY KELLI GRASHEL ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

Badgers roll into postseason on high note Badgers score dominant win over Northwestern to close regular season

ftentimes endings can be bittersweet. In this case, it was TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE just sweet. Wisconsin finished its regular season last Sun­ Oday with an explosive 38-3 victory over Northwestern in front of a pumped-up crowd at the UW Field House. There were Senior Day ceremonies. There were nine total victo­ ries for the Badgers. There were 23 takedowns for UW. And there were a lot of emotions. After an up and down season, Wisconsin couldn’t have ended on much more of a high. “It finally came together against Northwestern, winning nine out of 10 matches,” head coach Barry Davis said. “So guys are SCROLL on an upswing right now, and we just have to make sure to con­ tinue that going into tournament time. It was a good way to end the dual meet season.” The wins were precisely what many Badgers needed going into the Big Ten championships, which are set for March 4-5 in Iowa

City. The best way to keep momentum going is to constantly have INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS greater goals, or so it’s been said. So, what better time have mo­ mentum than when headed into the postseason? SOCIAL “Everything is kind of clicking for us right now, which is good,” MEDIA: Davis said. “We’ve been waiting for this and it’s all kind of coming together here.” The win against Northwestern was filled with matches that can serve as confidence boosts heading into the postseason. INSIDE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD BY A.J. HARRISON ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS BRUCE KLUCKHOHN

Long road back: Mudd looks to regain form Senior strives to end indoor season on a high note at Big Ten championships

n 2013, Wisconsin middle-distance standout Austin Mudd was TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE excelling for the Badgers. He set the school record in the mile, Ihelped the team finish third at the NCAA indoor championships and was an All-American indoors in the mile and outdoors in the 1500 meters. Now, two injury-plagued seasons later, Mudd looks to regain his form this weekend as the Badgers open postseason competition with the 2016 Big Ten Indoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio. “It feels great to be back,” Mudd said. “I still don’t think I’m running to my potential but just being back in that Wisconsin uni­ form and wearing the spikes is a good feeling.” SCROLL A native of Greenwood, Indiana, Mudd is coming off a sea- son-best mile time of 4 minutes, 1.68 seconds, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten. But ahead of Mudd in the rankings is UW sophomore Morgan McDonald, who broke Mudd’s school standard of 3:57.93 in the

mile with a terrific run of 3:57.83 on the famed Armory track in INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS New York. For his part, Mudd has already made a leap from the start of SOCIAL the season, when he opened with a 4:07.71 mile in the Badgers’ MEDIA: dual with Minnesota. “For being out of racing for 18 months, it’s always a challenge because you don’t have your race legs under you,” UW Direc- tor of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. “Just having Morgan around him and having that kind of laissez-faire attitude of ‘Coach put me in this race and I’m going to go,’ that’s refreshing, especially for Austin because of where he has come from. “He just has to keep the faith and stay focused as it’s coming around.” INSIDE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD BY A.J. HARRISON ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS BRUCE KLUCKHOHN

‘Whole new athlete’ Ellenwood eyes title All-American looks to continue UW’s multi-event success at Big Ten championships

isconsin has been stating its case as the nation’s pre­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE mier multi-events program since 2010. W Since then, Badgers have earned 11 first-team All-America honors and notched nine Big Ten titles between the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon. Georgia Ellenwood, looks to continue that success in the pen­ tathlon this weekend at the 2016 Big Ten Indoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio. UW’s latest All-American actually hails from Canada, and it was the Badgers’ multi-event success that drew Ellenwood, a native of Langley, British Columbia, to Madison. SCROLL “The whole college recruiting thing was really new to me back then so I had to limit it to five schools,” Ellenwood said. “I had it down to Wisconsin and Oregon, but then I saw that the Wiscon­ sin’s women’s team went 1-2-3 at the 2012 Big Ten meet in the heptathlon, and I knew UW would be a great school. I saw the

athletes coming in and what their scores were and then how they INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS improved, so I knew I could improve. “Then I visited and everything just kind of clicked with my per- SOCIAL sonality.” MEDIA: The Big Ten runner-up in the pentathlon last year, Ellenwood looks to continue the legacy established by Dorcas Akinniyi, Jes- sica Flax and Deanna Latham. Akinniyi and Flax both completed their decorated careers prior to Ellenwood’s arrival at Wisconsin, but she is very much aware of what they accomplished as Bad- gers. “I didn’t really get to practice with Jess or Dorcas, but I did with Deanna and I learned a lot about them through her,” Ellenwood said. “She told me what they did and Nate (Davis) has been tell- ing me that I have some (areas to improve) similar to theirs. “Hearing their stories and what they’ve improved on is reassur- ing and has given me confidence, as well.” Ellenwood, it seems, has used the Badgers’ recent history to her benefit. “Georgia has taken a piece of every multi-event athlete she has come in contact with at the University of Wisconsin and used that to help her grow,” said UW assistant coach Nate Davis, who oversees the multi-event group. “She has really worked diligently to improve her weaknesses and I think that will pay off because she has always been a great competitor.” INSIDE SWIMMING & DIVING BY SARAH WOODWARD ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS DAVID STLUKA

Men take turn at Big Ten championships Matt Hutchins leads the Badgers’ plunge into championship season

he Wisconsin men get their turn at postseason competi­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE tion this week when the 16th-ranked Badgers head to West TLafayette, Indiana, for the 2016 Big Ten Championships, which begin Wednesday night and run through Saturday at the Boilermaker Aquatic Center. The Badgers are led by the reigning Big Ten champion in the 500-yard freestyle, Matt Hutchins, who this season leads the con­ ference field in a trio of distance events heading into the cham­ pionship meet. With a time of 4 minutes, 15.64 seconds, Hutchins owns the

SCROLL seasonal lead in the 500 freestyle by less than two seconds to Indiana’s Max Irwin (4:17.19) and ranks fifth nationally in the event. However, the UW junior’s time in the 1,000 freestyle stands alone atop the Big Ten by a margin of more than eight seconds (8:58.45) and ranks fourth on the national stage. Hutchins also leads the Big Ten in the 1,650 free with a time

of 14:38.14; the next closest competitor is Patrick Ransford of INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS Michigan, who holds a time of 14:47.77. Hutchins’ time in the distance event ranks No. 2 nationally. SOCIAL Fellow UW junior Cannon Clifton also holds three top-10 rank- MEDIA: ings, with his coming in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events. Clifton is fifth in the 50 free, at 19.96, with Michigan’s Paul Pow- ers leading the field at 19.15. Clifton ranks fourth in the 100 free with a time of 43.32, not far behind Indiana’s Anze Tavcar, who leads the league at 42.88. The UW freestyle specialist also stands seventh in the 200 free with a time of 1:35.75. The pair of Hutchins (1:35.77) and Brett Pinfold (1:35.81) fol- low Clifton in the 200 free, in eighth and ninth place, respective- ly, to give UW three top-10 marks in that event. The trio of Austin Byrd, Pinfold and Todd McCarthy look to have a significant showing in the backstroke events for the Badgers. Byrd ranks sixth in the 100 backstroke at 47.32 seconds, while Pinfold is eighth (47.41). In the 200 back, Byrd holds the third- place spot (1:42.47), while Pinfold (1:44.38) is tied with Indiana’s James Beckman for sixth and McCarthy stands ninth (1:44.49). Indiana’s Robert Glover leads the event with a time of 1:42.02. Byrd also ranks sixth in the 100 butterfly for the Badgers with a time of 47.71. Harrison Tran ranks 11th in the event (48.11), while Clifton is 12th (48.13). Tran also holds the seventh-place ranking in the 200 fly with a time of 1:46.15. In the 200 breaststroke, senior Jake Mandli enters the meet with the conference’s fifth-fastest time at 1:58.92. Indiana’s Tan- ner Kurz leads the field with a mark of 1:54.35. The Badgers have strong representation in the individual med- ley events, as Pinfold ranks fifth (1:46.60) and Byrd is 10th (1:47.66) in the 200 IM. Josh Anderson is seeded sixth in the 400 IM (3:50.25), while McCarthy is 11th (3:52.66). UW holds top-four ranks in three different relays, including a conference-leading time in the 800 freestyle relay (6:24.36). Wis- consin stands second in the 400 free relay (2:55.50) and fourth in the 400 medley relay (3:13.41). The championships begin at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday with finals of the 200 medley and 800 freestyle relays. Swimming preliminaries begin 10 a.m. Thursday, with the meet running through Saturday. Fans can stream the meet live with BTN Plus via BTN2Go. ■ INSIDE SOFTBALL BY KELLI GRASHEL ■ UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS EVAN HALPOP

UW has success in ACC/Big Ten Challenge Badgers gain good experience against tough opponents early in season

ox scores and records don’t always paint a complete pic­ TAP TO VIEW SCHEDULE ture of what happens in sports. That certainly was the case Bfor Wisconsin last weekend as the Badgers posted a 1-3 mark in the inaugural ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Wisconsin (5-4 overall) showed growth and gained valuable ex­ perience by facing two NCAA tournament teams from last sea­ son. The Badgers dropped both games to a powerful Louisville club that advanced to NCAA regional play last spring before split­ ting a pair with NC State, which was a super regional qualifier a season ago. The Badgers claimed the opener against the host Wolfpack, SCROLL 2-1, before dropping a 6-5 decision in the second game. “When you get to face a home team that was in the Sweet 16 last year, you really just battle them the whole time and it’s excit­ ing for our program,” UW head coach Yvette Healy said. “Overall, it was a great weekend for Wisconsin and we will keep working

on getting better.” INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO VIEW TWEETS Wisconsin benefitted from the performance of its pitching staff, especially ace Taylor-Paige Stewart. SOCIAL Stewart was a force in the opener against NC State, dealing out MEDIA: eight strikeouts on the way to her first complete game of the year ― one in which she allowed a single run on two hits. She came back in the next day in relief for Kirsten Stevens and had the Wolfpack’s number again, tossing four strikeouts in two innings of work. Her lone run allowed came off a hit that followed a fielding error from the defense.