CONTENTS MARCH 19, 2015 ■ VOLUME 5, ISSUE 30 ICON SPORTSWIRE ICON COVER STORY BEING FRANK His parents attest to it, as do analysts who have spent their careers covering college hoops: there’s no one quite like Frank Kaminsky. So how did that kid playing in the driveway get here? FEATURES SWIMMING & DIVING IN [FOCUS] ONE LAST SPLASH The week's best photos LUCAS AT LARGE Ivy Martin has left a major mark on Bo Ryan’s coach reflects the Badgers’ program, but she’s got her sights set on leaving a lasting BEHIND THE DESK DAVID STLUKA DAVID impression in her final NCAA meet. Dual-sport success special THE VOICE This season is one to savor LUCAS AT LARGE BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW RAINEY ON RYAN WHAT TO WATCH UW’s postseason push is on Before Bo Ryan was putting to­ BADGERING gether a Hall of Fame career on Ryan Taylor (Wrestling) the sideline, he was a coach on the floor for mentor Ron Rainey. INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY Postseason brings hope -SCROLL FOR MORE­ INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY Freshmen are key to success Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor/Designer Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Drew Scharenbroch Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Mike Bradley, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire, USA Today Sports Images Cover Photo: Jeff Miller/UW-Madison Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2015 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ » UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Dual-sport success something special omeone mentioned to Sunday’s game against Mich­ assumed that must be Chris me that you don’t hear igan State was like a heavy­ Pressley, our former fullback S anyone talking about our weight championship fight. I who played with the Bengals. programs in terms of becoming thought our guys really com­ I didn’t even think it might be bowl eligible in football or being peted. They never backed down Chris Borland. on the bubble for the NCAA bas­ and they wore them out eventu­ The way he played the game ketball tournament. ally in overtime. — and no one played harder — Our people just put out some­ Back in Madison, Paul Chryst some people were surprised he thing to that effect. Since 2002, had the game showing on our would retire after one year. But we’ve gone to a bowl and com­ video board in Camp Randall he thinks outside of the box, he peted in the Big Dance every Stadium and the kids were has his own mind and I respect year. The streak of 13 consecu­ watching it during the open­ his decision. tive years is the longest in the ing of spring football practice. There’s more information country. I thought that was really neat. available to the players than That’s five years longer than All of our head coaches really there ever was, much more. And anybody else. And that’s impres­ support one another. That’s one there’s much more awareness, sive. I try to remind our alums thing I’ve tried to encourage too, about head injuries as more all the time that you can’t take and why we’ve gone on the road and more research is done. it for granted. It’s hard to win. together for friend-raisers. There have been rule changes What we’ve done is very special. Besides that, Bo and Paul have with player safety in mind, espe­ To be consistently good in the been friends for a long time. cially as far as getting the head two major sports like that over a This is a real important spring out of the game. long period of time, you have to for Paul. This is the time for I have nothing but the utmost appreciate and respect what the teaching and developing and respect for Chris Borland as a coaches and the players have building your team. player and a person. He always done to sustain the success. I’ve already been impressed had time for kids and he was Both programs were built with with the offseason weight pro­ among our team leaders in com­ a good foundation and the plan gram. There’s a different philos­ munity service. really hasn’t changed much. The ophy than they’ve had recently There’s one thing that emphasis has been on knowing and they’re also practicing dif­ shouldn’t be overlooked: Chris who you are and bringing in kids ferently, learning the tempo that graduated. He has his degree that fit your philosophy. Paul wants. from Wisconsin. You rarely hear Getting a No. 1 seed speaks • • • • people bring that up, but it volumes to the respect that we The other day I got a text speaks to the type of kids that have nationally and the con­ from Chris Borland. It just said, we bring in here. sistency of Bo Ryan’s teams. It “Coach, I wanted to let you They want to play at a high would have been easy after go­ know before it hits the media level ― it was the NFL for Chris ing to the Final Four to slack off that I’m going to retire. I had a ― but they also want to walk out a little and be content. But our great experience at Wisconsin of here with a degree and have guys stayed hungry, they kept …” He signed it “Chris.” To be something to help them in life their eye on the goal and they honest, I looked up the area once they’re finished playing. He wanted to get better. code, saw it was Ohio and I just has that today. ■ THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY » VOICE OF THE BADGERS Whatever’s next, this is a season to savor s you read this, chances the Big Ten tournament meant As stated in this space last are you are eagerly await­ a great deal to the Badgers. It week, who knows what will A ing the Badgers’ NCAA would have meant a great deal happen? While I hope for the tournament game with Coastal to Michigan State. These are two best, it is worth a reminder that Carolina. Yet a funny thing hap­ rival programs, and the Spar­ the unexpected is what makes pened earlier this week. Fans tans wanted a little payback this tournament so popular. were still talking about Sunday’s from the loss two weeks earlier And even though the Badgers Big Ten tournament champi­ at the Kohl Center. are not in Kentucky’s region, do onship game against Michigan As the Badgers rallied from an not be lulled into a false sense State. 11-point second half deficit to of security. Can Wisconsin play In past years, it always seemed win in overtime, the joy from the with anyone in the country? Of to me that the result of the title Wisconsin bench was real. So course it can. So can several oth­ game was pushed aside rather was the disappointment from er teams not named Kentucky. quickly, and it was easy to un­ The Badgers have a lofty goal derstand why. The Big Ten has IT HAS BEEN AN of winning the national title. always liked how the champion­ They have a chance, but by no AMAZING RIDE SO FAR. ship game leads directly into the means are they alone. If they Selection Show on CBS. It makes WITH WILL, SKILL AND can navigate the road to Indi­ sense, but previously the focus MAYBE A TOUCH OF GOOD anapolis and be the last team shifted from cutting down the FORTUNE, THE BEST IS standing, it will be a magical nets to the tournament bracket YET TO COME. moment that no one will ever ― all within an hour. forget. This time it is a bit different. the Spartans’ locker room. They But if something goes wrong, Yes, the NCAA tournament is the get to play again this week, but such as a red-hot opponent, an big show, and by now it is all there was no hiding the fact that off night for your favorite team, about the Chanticleers. Howev­ this was a game they truly want­ a bad bounce, a bad call or er, the game last Sunday at the ed, only to be denied by the will any other factors that can spell United Center was a classic, and and the skill of Bo Ryan’s team. trouble in a single-elimination it was good to see the players, So now it is on to Omaha for event, the trophies the Badgers coaches and fans celebrate a the West Region’s No. 1 seed. have earned this season still conference tournament crown. Yes, the bracket has a few famil­ count. I have had mixed emotions iar faces from last March. Should It has been an amazing ride so about league tourneys. Most the Badgers advance, Oregon far. With will, skill and maybe a of the time, I hope the Badgers could be waiting in the Round touch of good fortune, the best play well, but above all else, of 32. If they keep playing next is yet to come. But if not, the I want them to get out of the week in Los Angeles, Baylor 2014-15 Wisconsin Badgers are event healthy and ready to roll and Arizona could be there with a team fans will always remem­ the following week.