IN [FOCUS] CAGEY VETERAN Junior goaltender Joel Rumpel saw just about everything last weekend during Wisconsin’s sweep over No. 1 Minnesota but stopped 59 of 61 shots in a pair of 2-1 victories. The Big Ten First Star of the Week leads the league and ranks in the top five in the country in goals- against average, save percentage and winning percentage. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

IN [FOCUS] IN THE NIC OF TIME The Wisconsin bench erupted in celebration after Nic Kerdiles’ game- winning last Saturday against No. 1 Minnesota. The score gave UW its second consecutive 2-1 victory over the Gophers, a win that came in front of a Kohl Center-record hockey crowd of 15,359. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] TALL ORDER Perhaps in a bit of foreshadowing, Frank Kaminksy won the tip for the Badgers’ in their clash with No. 9 Michi- gan State last Sunday at the Kohl Center. It was Wisconsin that won the day, as Traevon Jackson’s clutch jumper gave UW a 60-58 triumph. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

IN [FOCUS] JUMP FOR JOY After he elevated to knock down a pull-up jumper that eventually sunk the Spartans on Sunday, Trae- von Jackson and his team- mates had to wait out the final 2.1 seconds― and a potential buzzer-beater ― before getting some more air in celebration of a 60-58 win. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA IN [FOCUS] NEW HEIGHTS Rob Havenstein helped give UW Dance Team member Chloe Koch a lift to close out a perfor- mance that paired the dance team with mem- bers of the football team during Sunday’s men’s basketball game be- tween the Badgers and Michigan State. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 13, 2014 // VOLUME 4, ISSUE 27

A QUICK STUDY DEPARTMENTS 30 Nigel Hayes’ head could be spinning, but instead the fast-learn- ing freshman is the one turning heads as he continues to grow 16 LUCAS AT LARGE into a big-time boost for the Badgers in Big Ten play. by Mike Lucas 20 THE VOICE by Matt Lepay 22 BY THE NUMBERS 40 FINDING HER FOCUS Facts and figures on UW She’s hit her share of stumbling 24 5 THINGS TO WATCH blocks along the way, but UW all- Catch the Badgers on time wins leader Alex Rigsby has TV and the web always made sure to bounce back 26 ASK THE BADGERS better for the experience. Road trip eating habits 28 BADGERING Kelly Jaminski 48 INSIDE SPORTS HEATING UP AT HOME Basketball, Hockey, 58 Softball, Tennis The Wisconsin men’s and women’s tennis teams look to keep their early- 60 THIS WEEK IN HISTORY season success going at home when Hockey au naturel they welcome ranked foes to Neilsen Tennis this weekend.

13

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© 2014 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM Granato grateful to have Olympic opportunity

hen , a Canada Cup and three IIHF World before moving on to the NHL where former Wisconsin All- Championships. he’s now an all-star defenseman WAmerican forward in the with the . mid ’80s, realized that he would ice in the Olympics and you see all , 56, elected not to be returning to the Olympics ― 26 “The first time you skate― and on you the travel to Sochi, though he admitted years later ― as an assistant coach feel the joy and the excitement from that he might reconsider if the U.S. with the U.S. hockey team in Sochi, beingthe flags in thatin the moment stands ― it’s some- makes a deep run in the tourna- Russia, he couldn’t have been more thing that you’ll never forget. It ment and winds up playing for a grateful for the opportunity. gives me chills just thinking about it medal. Otherwise, he has no regrets “Anytime you can represent your now knowing that I was able to be a about staying at home, especially country,” said Granato, who still part of that.” with all of the potential security ranks as the third-leading goal scor- Not medaling in Calgary didn’t concerns. er in school history with 100 goals diminish the impact for Granato. “I “We went to and it in 152 career games, “and you can don’t want to say just being there is was great because we’d go differ- be a part of something that could be a reward in itself, that’s not it,” he ent places on the days between the very special, it makes it that much said. “You want to compete at your games,” said Bob, noting that any more exciting.” best and you want to be the next such side trips would probably be Eight years after the “Miracle Mark Johnson or Mike Eruzione. out of the question in Russia for on Ice” in Lake Placid, New York ― That was our dream, for sure.” obvious reasons. “If you can’t travel where the Americans stunned the a lot, what are you going to do?” Russians and ended up winning Johnson and Bob Suter lived Bob has put on a lot miles follow- the gold medal ― Granato joined out their own dreams• • • • with the ing his son’s development as one Badgers teammates Mike Richter 1980 team. Johnson is now in his and Jim Johannson on the 1988 U.S 11th season as the coach of the league. “I’ve loved watching him UW women’s hockey team. He has playof the in higher Nashville profile and players Minnesota,” in the in Calgary, Alberta. won four national championships. he said. One of Bob’s brothers, Gary, Olympic“We were team still that somewhat finished seventhfeeling Suter spreads his time and energy played in more than 1,000 games in and living in what the 1980 team between Suter’s Gold Medal Sports the NHL and on two Olympic teams had done for us by putting USA and Capitol Ice Arena. in 1988 and 2002. Hockey on the map,” said Granato. Johnson coached Team USA to a Bob, who’s scouting for the Wild, “When we were 14 and 15 and silver medal in the 2010 Vancouver has heard the speculation that this watching that game (the win over Olympics. He has more than a pass- might be the last time that the NHL the Soviet Union) we dreamed allows its players to participate that we could be one of those guys of his former players are compet- in the Olympics because of the someday.” ing:ing interest Jessie Vetter, in Sochi Hilary given Knight, that five lost revenue from shutting down Mark Johnson. Mike Eruzione. Meghan Duggan, Brianna Decker business for 16 days and the injury . Those guys. () and Meaghan Mik- concerns. “I can see their ,” he “Just wearing your country’s kelson (Canada). said. colors is the greatest achievement Suter also has something at If that’s the case, this might be you can have as an athlete,” said stake. His son, Ryan, will likely be the last chance for Ryan Suter to Granato, who survived 13 seasons one of the key components to what- double the gold medal count in the in the NHL with the New York Rang- ever success the Americans have in Suter family by adding one of his ers, and San Jose Russia. The younger Suter, now 29, own to his dad’s. “I could probably Sharks. He also played in the 1991 played one season for the Badgers tour with him and make a little off Continued on Page 18

16 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 Granato grateful to have Olympic opportunity LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM

Continued from Page 16 and that special bond with a lot of Ryan McDonagh (“Very mobile and a spot for it.” Suter’s Gold Medal people back in Madison,” said Tony moves the puck well”); Derek Ste- Sports,it,” said TheBob, Sequel? chuckling. “I’d find Granato, who has stayed in touch pan (“Very intelligent and sees the with the likes of , Mike game well”); and Joe Pavelski (“He’s The roll call is impressive. Four Richter, Paul Ranheim, Chris Che- going to be counted on for big of- Suters (brothers• • Bob, • • John, Gary lios and Tom Saggissor. “I still have fensive production”). and Bob’s son, Ryan), three John- sons (brothers Mark and Peter Granato, a former head coach with and Mark’s son, Patrick) and four Pittsburghpictures in Penguins,my office ofwith Badgers.” whom he theAsked Colorado to handicap Avalanche, the called field, it Granatos (brothers Tony, Donny hasGranato been an has assistant an office coach with for the the wide-open to where “a hot goalie and Robby and cousin Kevin) have could win a medal.” It’s hockey, donned Badgers sweaters. Dan Bylsma, is the coach of the U.S. not brain surgery, though Granato For 11 uninterrupted years ― Olympiclast five seasons. team. “He’s His ahead tremendous coach, knows something about the latter. dating back to Tony Granato’s fresh- communicator and very passionate He had surgery on his brain in 1996 man season in 1983 ― there was a about the game,” Granato said. and came back to be an all-star. Granato on the UW roster. Mean- The Penguins have two play- It’s why he received the Bill Mas- while, Cammi Granato, a Princeton ers with Team USA (Paul Martin terton Trophy for the NHL player and Brooks Orpik), two with Team inducted into the Hockey Hall of Canada (Sidney Crosby and Chris of perseverance, sportsmanship Fame.grad, was She the captained first woman the 1998 to be U.S. Kunitz), two with Team Finland andwho dedication. best exemplifies And it’s the why qualities he’s Olympic team to a gold medal. (Olli Maata and Jussi Jokinen) and grateful to be in Sochi as an assis- Tony Granato said his sister, who Evgeni Malkin with Team Russia. tant and he still gets chills thinking has done some television work as “Once the puck drops, you’re com- about Olympic competition, past a color analyst, was not going to peting to be the best,” Granato said. and present. Sochi because she has some young The Badgers will be represented “As you get older,” said Granato, kids of her own now to take care of. by Suter (“He’s a guy who can play 49, “you appreciate these opportu- “I still have my Badger family big, big minutes,” said Granato); nities even more.”

18 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

THE VOICE BY MATT LEPAY // VOICE OF THE BADGERS When it comes to crunch time, I’ll take Trae

nother game, another court he wishes he could have Gasser was in line for the job last thriller with Michigan State. back? Of course. Does he hit every season before he suffered a torn ASuch was the case last Sun- big shot? Of course not. Even Mi- ACL in preseason camp. day, when Traevon Jackson stuck a chael Jordan missed a few. But there For a relative newbie at the posi- mid-range jumper with 2.1 seconds is a fearlessness about Trae Jackson tion, it seems to me that Jackson is to play. Jackson’s latest of several that his teammates seem to love. progressing pretty well. Especially big shots gave the home team a “I wanted it in (Jackson’s) hands,” when you consider the strength of dramatic 60-58 victory against the said Josh Gasser after the game. the Big Ten, as well as the non-con- short-handed but still extremely- “We have a bunch of guys who want ference schedule he and his team- talented Spartans. to take it, but I think Trae really, re- mates have faced. The man has guts ― or as the ally wants to take it.” great Bill Raftery might say, “On- It is hard not to appreciate some- has improved, and his three-point ions!” one who is willing to take ― and Jackson’s percentage I admit to having a soft spot for make ― the crunch-time shot. better so far ― from 29 percent a Trae. Maybe part of it is we both are Yet, Jackson is often the object of yearshooting ago topercentage nearly 38 is percent significantly this Ohio natives (even though I moved intense scrutiny. Too many turn- season. to Wisconsin before Jackson was overs. Too many low-percentage born). Perhaps part it comes from attempts with the shot clock wind- you that he wants to improve his watching his dad, Jim, play and then ing down, etc. Talk shows, message -to-turnoverJackson would be ratio. the firstHe contin to tell- getting to know the elder Jackson boards and social media platforms ues to grow as a player, and some- at least a little bit through the years give all of us plenty of ways to vent times there will be painful lessons from his work with BTN. Jim was our frustrations and offer free along the way. one of the best Big Ten players I advice. Yet Traveon Jackson is develop- have ever seen, but he very much It might be easy to forget that ing into a player who, not unlike a wants Traevon to carve his own Jackson has been a point guard for cornerback in football, has learned niche. a little more than a year and a half. to have a short memory. He tries Mostly, I believe my admiration Ever. Not just at Wisconsin, but in not to dwell on what just happened, for the younger Jackson is that he his basketball career. Remember, either good or bad. He focuses on comes across as a polite, genuinely what is next. decent person who works like crazy In that respect, Jackson reminds every day to make himself a better me of past Badgers players such player. The junior from Westerville, as Freddie Owens and Kam Taylor. Ohio, often spends extra time after They might make a few mistakes during the course of a game, but not the only player to do so, but I when it is time to make a play with ampractice not sure fine-tuning anyone outworkshis shot. He him. is the game’s outcome in the balance, they seem to live for those mo- that while I get the chance to know ments. theseNow, players I will be― somethe first better to admit than It probably is easy to write such others ― I am way too old to spend a column after someone delivers a ton of time with them. That is not a big shot like Trae Jackson hit on my place. Yet Jackson strikes me as Sunday. But make or miss, I’ll take someone who gets it. guys like him to play for my team Does he make decisions on the anytime.

20 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 When it comes to crunch time, I’ll take Trae BY THE NUMBERS

MEN’S HOCKEY Wisconsin’s sweep over No. 1 Minnesota took place on Feb. 6-7, exactly 10 years to the days UW last swept the No. 1 team in the

country, North Dakota, in 2004. Prior to last weekend, UW had

most recently swept Minnesota on Feb. 6-7, 2009. ›› 10

MEN’S BASKETBALL The Badgers are 5-2 against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. No team in the 5 nation has more wins over currently ranked teams. WOMEN’S TRACK Senior Deanna Latham broke her own school record in

the 60-meter hurdles by one- tenth of a second (8.33) at the

Armory Collegiate Invitational in the New Balance Track and Field Center in New York ›› last Friday. 9

UW ATHLETICS Wisconsin is represented by nine former student- athletes on Team USA in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The only school with more is Westminster College (23). 8.33 22 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

5 THINGS TO WATCH FEBRUARY 13 - 19

THURSDAY 2/13 • 6:30AM • NBC SPORTS NETWORK TEAM USA TAKES THE ICE [USA MEN’S HOCKEY VS. ] Men’s hockey gets underway on Thursday for Team USA and 1 four Badgers alumni. Ryan Suter, Joe Pavelski, Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan take on Slovakia at 6:30 a.m. on NBC Sports Network. The Americans play again on Saturday (Russia) and Sunday (Slovenia), also at 6:30 a.m. All three games repeat at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports Network the same day.

THURSDAY 2/13 • 8PM • ESPN RIVALRY WEEK [MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MINNESOTA] Border Battle week heats up on Thursday night 2 when the men’s basketball team hosts the Gophers at 8 p.m. Joe Tessitore and Sean Farnham will call the game for ESPN courtside at the Kohl Center.

SATURDAY 2/15 • 7PM • NBC SPORTS NETWORK CONFERENCE COUNTDOWN [MEN’S HOCKEY AT OHIO STATE] 3 With four regular-season series left on the schedule, the Badgers travel to Columbus for a Big Ten Conference faceoff against the Buckeyes. Saturday’s game airs live on NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. with and Rob Andringa on the call.

SUNDAY 2/16 • NOON • ESPN2 INTO THE LIONS’ DEN [WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AT PENN STATE] Watch live as the women’s basketball team takes on 4 No. 11 Penn State at noon on ESPN2. Adam Amin and Julianne Viani will bring fans all of the action court- side from the Bryce Jordan Center.

SUNDAY 2/16 • NOON • CBS ROAD WORK AHEAD [MEN’S BASKETBALL AT MICHIGAN] 5 A big road test awaits the Badgers when they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sunday for a noon matchup against the Wolverines. Spero Dedes and Bill Raftery will broadcast all of the action live on CBS.

24 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

’ ’

ASK THE BADGERS QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What does your team do for food on road trips?

EDDIE WITTCHOW // SOPHOMORE // MEN’S HOCKEY “Traditionally on a road trip we get Chipotle just prior to leaving. That night after arriving in the city we play in, we go out for a nice steak din- ner. Dinner doesn’t only consist of eating, we have some fun and pranks by shoe checking one of the rookies or a new face on the trip. The rest of our meals (breakfast, pre-game meals, and post-game meals) are conveniently provided in the hotel we are staying in.”

MARISSA MERSCH // JUNIOR // SOFTBALL ’’ “For breakfast we usually just eat in the hotel. Before the trip we put in orders for lunch, it is a lot of sandwiches. Sometimes in between games we just eat snacks. Fruit, trail mix, PURE bars and beef jerky. We usually get one night to eat out with our family. I like to get steak when I go with my family. Last weekend I got crab legs and an appetizer.”

RYAN TAYLOR // REDSHIRT FRESHMAN // WRESTLING (125 LBS) “Before every match I get about a half-gallon of chocolate milk and a bunch of mixed fruit and blend it up and drink it. On the road, we stop at a grocery store and the whole bus empties out and we have time to spend our per diem on whatever we want. I usually have my food packed because with my weight cut I have to do a little bit smarter diet. I eat the same thing every day, all week and on the weekends. I eat the exact same thing to the pound. The exact routine.”

JOSH GASSER // REDSHIRT JUNIOR // MEN’S BASKETBALL “We’re all about routine on the basketball team. So every night before a road game we eat at the team hotel and have the same menu: salad, steak, chicken, potatoes, green beans, lasagna and always clam chowder for some reason. Then pregame is also at the hotel and again always the same: salad, pasta, chicken, salmon and chicken noodle soup.”

26 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

BADGERING KELLY JAMINSKI Senior Kelly Jaminski, an assistant for the No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team, leads the team into arguably the biggest series of the year as No. 1 Minnesota comes to Madison for a Border Battle series. Jaminski, a member of the 2011 national championship team, will be recognized for her accomplishments during UW’s Senior Night on Friday in LaBahn Arena before the Badgers partake in the fourth-ever Fill the Bowl game on Saturday at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin looks to break its NCAA attendance record of 12,402 set at the 2012 Fill the Bowl game. What are your thoughts on this weekend’s Border Battle series in Madison? “I am really excited. I’m excited to play Minnesota. The Gophers have always been one of our biggest rivals. We’ve been looking forward to this series all year, and the last time we played them was in October, which was a long time ago. We are going to have a lot of fans, the environment will be great, and I’m looking forward to it.” Friday night is Senior Night. What do you think about when you look back at your career at Wisconsin? “I think about how far I have come and all the teammates I have had the chance to play with and become friends with. My family really comes to mind. My mom and my two brothers have always been there for me and I’m looking forward to seeing them on the ice. My oldest brother, Kevin, is in the Army, and he will be here this weekend, which means a lot to me. He’s only been to one of my games during my career.” How is it watching some of your former teammates compete in the Winter Games? “It’s almost surreal. I have been roommates with some of them and road roommates with them. It’s weird to see them on TV. They are such amazing people off the ice and it’s awesome that they are over there. We are supporting them back at home and are hoping for the best for them.” You have played in two Fill the Bowl games during your QUICK Q'S WITH KELLY career. What makes them so special? Favorite Olympic event besides hockey? “The fans we have are beyond imaginable. They love and support Snowboarding it. I am looking forward to seeing all of the faces out there. I know I Favorite candy? have a lot of classmates that are coming to it, and a lot of people that Chocolate don’t watch hockey are coming to the game. It is really helping our game grow, and it is a great opportunity for us. I think fans are going Favorite TV show? to have a chance to see a great matchup with the top two teams in Nashville the country battling it out.” Favorite book? Quiet Strength If I didn’t play hockey, I would play: Volleyball

28 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

STORMING HIS WAY IN A fast learner, Nigel Hayes has quickly become a counted-on contributor for the Badgers during Big Ten play, with the freshman (and his ‘Chocolate Tornado’) turning heads along the way

BY MIKE LUCAS UWBADGERS.COM

• A fast learner, Nigel Hayes has quickly become a counted-on contributor for the Badgers during Big Ten play, with the freshman (and his ‘Chocolate Tornado’) turning heads along the way DAVID STLUKA DAVID igel Hayes was “furious” with himself. It had nothing to do with missing a or N missing a -out; it had nothing to do with losing his man on defense or even losing a game. Hayes was upset because he got a “B” on an hon- ors Global Issues class during his sophomore year at Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio. He scored a 92, one point short of an “A” grade. “I was furious,” he repeated. “I’ve never been so angry before about academics.” Hayes vowed to do better. He wasn’t about to set- tle for B’s. By the time he signed his national letter of intent at Wisconsin, he carried a grade-point average above 4.1 and ranked in the top 10 of his senior class (500- plus). He also scored a 26 on his ACT. “Who doesn’t slack off a little bit your senior year? Why wouldn’t you?” UW assistant Lamont Paris posed rhetorically. “This guy didn’t ― even after he had his scholarship. That’s just who he is.” Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan has always appreciated a high IQ, on and off the court. At Chester (Pa.) High School, Ryan was senior class president. At Wilkes College, he studied economics and marketing. “He’s very smart, very attentive,” Ryan said of his 19-year-old freshman, Hayes. “A lot of times, he’s playing chess while the other guys are playing check- ers. It’s just the way he is.” He’s that way, in part ― the academic part ― be- cause of his mom, Talaya Davis. Hayes’ elementary school grading system boiled down to (P) praise- worthy; (S) satisfactory; or (U) unsatisfactory. “She would give us two dollars for every ‘P’ we got,” said Hayes, speaking for himself and his older brother, Kenny. “I started getting all P’s and it started putting a dent in my mother’s pocketbook. “She had to do stop doing it eventually. But I just kept going. I wanted to get good grades. I always wanted to be an intelligent individual and I pride myself on that.” In his UW media guide bio, he listed “random facts and trivia” as things that he enjoys. “I want to know a little about everything, so I try to branch out and learn as much as I can,” said Hayes, who’s not much into reading books, like The Hunger

“But I make sure I read a lot of articles and it doesn’tGames, amatter science what fiction really. novel. I follow Forbes on Twit-

STEVE GOTTER ter. I read about health and world trends, stuff like

32 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 DAVID STLUKA DAVID

ing him a worthy match for the sharp-tongued, Paris went to high school in Findlay, Ohio ― 45 66-year-old Ryan, who’s in the midst of his 30th sea- milesthat. I fromtry to Toledo dip and ― dabble and he in remembered every field.” thinking son as a head coach and 13th at Wisconsin. “He knows how to deal with people,” Ryan al- time he saw him play, and especially after speaking lowed. “I’ll say something to a player, ‘Hey, you’re withthat Hayeshim. was mature beyond his years the first supposed to dead-front there or you’re supposed to “After just a couple of conversations you knew hedge that; you’re supposed to do this or do that.’ he was the type of kid that you “Guys sometimes if you jump wanted,” Paris said. “He didn’t “He knows now what I’m going them a little bit they don’t … say a whole lot but he was very (respond). Nigel goes, ‘Coach, impressive with how he put to say before I say it,” Ryan said. you’re right. I’m NEVER going thought into answers. “He’ll go, ‘Coach, I got it, I’ll get it to do it again. I’m going to do it “He has always been a ma- next time.’ And he does get it the your way next time, I am, really.’ ture kid ― just in dealing with “He knows now what I’m go- adults. Some high school kids next time. Some guys will say ing to say before I say it,” Ryan can’t talk to adults. But he has ‘I’ll get it’ and they don’t.” went on. “He’ll go, ‘Coach, I got always been really good with it, I’ll get it next time.’ And he that. You just knew he was the right kind of person. does get it the next time. Some guys will say ‘I’ll get it’ and they don’t.” Hayes has “gotten it” to the degree that he has “There’s confidence and there’s the guy who will been the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week three way;tell you he hasthat a they’re high level confident of belief and in himself.”they may be on times. “He does a pretty good job of learning on the theHayes outside. has Buta dry he’s wit confident and a taste in for a true sarcasm confident mak- spot, on the job training, so to speak,” Ryan said.

33 DAVID STLUKA DAVID

After Hayes scored 14 in Wisconsin’s win over “He has worked extremely hard,” Ryan said, “start- Michigan State, Ryan pointed out, “As I’ve said a lot ing with the drills in the summer getting ready for of times for those who cared to listen, Nigel is pretty the Canadian trip by doing the different full-court special. He’s really giving us a big boost.” and half-court drills. To go along with that big boost off the bench has “His shot is better; his feel for the game is just off been that big smile he has put on faces. the charts for how quickly he has learned things. “The other day (during practice), I said, ‘OK, Ni- The things that he’s doing now, he wasn’t doing in gel, go in and get such-and-such,” related Ryan. “He the summer. says, ‘Do you want me at the point?”’ Ryan’s reac- tion? “Nigel, take the 4-spot and be happy.” Nobody obviously could be happier with his de- “But with performances comes some confidence velopment than Ryan. It took Hayes 12 games to get theand Badgers confidence a better helps basketball performance.” team. “It’sA confident, not a secret,” productive said Ryan. Hayes “The has secret helped is out.” make scored 10 or more points seven times, including threeinto double-figures. straight. In the 12 games since, he has • • • • 34 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 “He just has a knack that’s really hard to teach,” Ryan said of Hayes. “We can teach him some things but a lot of it is on him. He knows how to bring the ball up through the other guy’s arms and he knows how to put people at a disadvantage and kind of abuse them a little bit to draw the fouls.”

12 free throws ― three more than Michigan State shot as a team. He was 8 of 12 (.666) from the stripe, which was an upgrade since he had made only 15 of his last 32 (.468) coming into the game.

a pretty good free throw shooter throughout high school“It’s theand first summer year I’ve ball struggled, with AAU, I’ve so always this is been un- charted waters,” Hayes said. “It’s all mental. I need to go to the line knowing I’m going to make the shot, instead of hoping that I make the shot. “It has been bothering me. You can look at it from ― I need my points. But I’m not

a selfish standpoint losta selfish to Ohio player. State From by one. a team If I made standpoint, two of I’vethe six cost I missedmy team (5 three, of 11), four we wouldor five havepoints won.” every game. We

goal attempts; he’s averaging only about six shots a game.Against Through the Spartans, 11 Big Ten he games,converted Hayes on was3 of shoot5 field- ing .558, the only UW player above 50 percent. Only Minnesota’s Maurice Walker had shot a higher per- centage (.603) in league play. “I felt everything was going pretty well (against

State-Wisconsin rivalry from an up-close Hayes, who played 27 minutes on Sunday. “They A andfter personal Hayes’ first standpoint exposure ― on to the block Michigan and wereMichigan respecting State), notthe to jump say I shot,was hotso orthey on camefire,” saidout in the paint ― against Adreian Payne (6-10, 245), on me. As I’ve been saying, if that happens, I’ll go Matt Costello (6-9, 240) and Kenny Kaminski (6-8, around them and get my drives to the rim. 225), he conceded, “They make you play your best game.” (made basket and free throw), which I’ve got to fo- The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Hayes more than held cus“I on wasn’t getting necessarily three points finishing out of them my ‘and-ones’instead of going to the line for two free throws.” have, so we needed him out there to be physical, es- As far as getting to the line, Ryan compared Hayes’ peciallyhis own. on “Nigel the defensive is definitely end,” the said biggest guard Josh body Gas we- body control with a former UW-Platteville player, ser. “Frank (Kaminsky) did a great job, he did all he - could, but he doesn’t have the girth that Nigel does.” ing class, along with Mike Hemming, Randy Kazin, Hayes has shown an uncanny ability to draw fouls RockSteve RipleyShowalter; and Joea member Theisen. of Showalter’s Ryan’s first son, recruit Zak, on low post defenders. Against the Spartans, he shot is a sophomore redshirt with the Badgers.

35 “He (Hayes) just has a knack that’s really hard to cal pieces to go with it.” teach,” Ryan said. “We can teach him some things but Nigel Hayes, a wide receiver, played football up a lot of it is on him. He knows how to bring the ball until his senior year. His brother, Kenny, was a high- up through the other guy’s arms and he knows how ly-recruited, four-star prospect, a 6-5, 285-pound to put people at a disadvantage and kind of abuse defensive end who earned a scholarship to Ohio them a little bit to draw the fouls.” State. After redshirting as a freshman, he wound up While noting that Hayes passed the “eye test” transferring to the University of Toledo. even as a young high school player whose body had “Kenny was the only one that I could say ‘bul- lied me’ ― I was thinner than him, frail and a little cited his “tenacity in the paint and just his willing- shorter than him, but once I became taller, all of that nessyet to to fill throw out, his UW body associate in the posthead and coach play Greg physical” Gard ceased,” said Nigel Hayes, grinning. “But he tough- for drawing the college recruiters. ened me up ― quote-unquote ― like an older broth- “He wasn’t afraid to get his nose dirty,” Gard said. er is supposed to do. I learned a lot from him.” “Obviously, he had played some football when he After just about every Wisconsin game, Hayes will was growing up, so you knew that contact wasn’t go- get a text message or a phone call from his mom and ing to be a problem. Plus, he wants to be good. The his stepfather, Albert Davis. He takes it all to heart. want-to factor is always huge and he has the physi- “They will break down things that I could have done better,” he said, “or things that I need to improve on.” His mother, in particular, knows how to push his buttons. “She’s a basketball coach, she’s a DAVID STLUKA DAVID - down lady, and she’s a mother,” he said.strength “I can coach, take criticism she’s a from film anyone break in the world. You could cuss me out, you could call me every name in the book and I wouldn’t bat an eye.” He paused before continuing. “But as soon as my mother says something, it’s like the most destroying thing ever ― to hear her criticize me. She knows that and she tries not to say things because she knows it bothers me. But she just wants the best for me, so she’s going to say it regardless.” Quentin Rogers also still commands respect from Hayes. Rogers was the coach of his AAU team, the All-Ohio Red, which has been a feeder program for many colleges. Payne played with Jared Sullinger, Aaron Craft and Juwan Staten. Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson played with Trey Burke, among oth- ers. “After every game, if I didn’t play up to my potential, he (Rogers) would say something to me about it,” said Hayes, who played with Marc Loving,

36 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 STEVE GOTTER

“HE’S VERY SMART, VERY ATTENTIVE,” Ten. “Coach Ryan doesn’t treat me like a freshman, he doesn’t baby me. He gets on me just as hard as he RYAN SAID OF HAYES. “A LOT OF TIMES, would Ben Brust, a senior.” HE’S PLAYING CHESS WHILE THE OTH- interview with ’s Shon Morris fol- ER GUYS ARE PLAYING CHECKERS. IT’S lowingHayes Wisconsin’s fielded some win calls at after . his Feb. When 4 postgame Morris JUST THE WAY HE IS.” asked about the quick spin move that he had used to - nado” popularized by Shaquille O’Neal. an Ohio State freshman. “As a team, we lost games score“I called on, Hayes it incorrectly,” identified Hayes it as admitted.the “Chocolate “Through Tor that we shouldn’t have lost and we didn’t win as more research and people letting me know, it’s actu- many games or tournaments as we should have. ally called the ‘Black Tornado.’ But since I misnamed “Still today, after every game, he will send me a it and ruined Shaq’s move, I just guess I’ll take that 10-word text and in those 10 words there will be as my little knockoff on the move and hopefully I can three books of knowledge and information that I bring back some of its greatness.” can use to get better, so that I can be the player that Hayes used to get into arguments with a high he knows I can be and that I should be. He’s a man of school teammate on who was the greatest center of few words, but they’re powerful words. all-time. “He’d say Hakeem Olajuwon was the best “It’s up to me to listen and heed all the advice post player to ever touch a basketball,” he said. “He I’m getting and put it into action,” said Hayes, who could argue for days that he was better than Shaq and Bill Russell and all the other greats.” doesn’t see himself as a first-year player in the Big 37 “His feel for the game is just off the charts for how quickly he has learned things,” Ryan said. “The things that he’s doing now, he wasn’t doing in the summer. But with performances comes some confidence and confidence helps performance.”

Hayes was in the sixth or seventh grade when he took a liking to O’Neal and his Black Tornado. “For a man his size to be able to perform a move like that shows how good of an athlete that he was,” Hayes said of the 7-1, 325-pound O’Neal. “He was the epitome of the word unstoppable because there really was nothing you could do to stop him once he got the ball. “I started using the spin move in AAU and it worked like a charm in the summers and through high school. It doesn’t work as much now due to - ing players. People have been taking it away from people getting more in-depth into film and scout To this end, Hayes had one secret that he was willingme, so Ito have share. to find other ways to score.” “If I could model my game after anyone in the NBA it would be Carmelo Anthony,” he said. “In my eyes, Carmelo has the easiest way to score the ball and

model my game even though I haven’t branched out tothe start most shooting efficient the way 3s which like Melo. is the way I’ve tried to “But his game is very simple. He catches the ball in in the mid-range area, which is the same area where I liked to catch it. He faces up, and if the guy (defender) is off and he can get a shot off, he shoots. If the guy is on him, he gives a little jab, a little shot fake and he goes around him for the layup. “It’s real simple with a limited amount of dribbles and work. When he catches the ball, he has already done his work by his positioning and posting up, which is what I try to do. It’s one of the most potent ways to score effectively. “Few people would guess Carmelo as the one I really look at.” The secret is out about Hayes ― in more ways than one.

38 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 STLUKA DAVID

NEVER OUT OF FOCUS No matter the hurdles that have caused stumbles along the way, UW senior goaltender Alex Rigsby has always found a way to keep her eyes on big picture — all while piling up wins for the Badgers NEVER OUT OF FOCUS No matter the hurdles that have caused stumbles along the way, UW senior goaltender Alex Rigsby has always found a way to keep her eyes on big picture — all while piling up wins for the Badgers

BY MIKE LUCAS UWBADGERS.COM

• DAVID STLUKA DAVID he winningest goaltender in the history of that it might happen,” Johnson said. “But she has had the Wisconsin women’s hockey program had some good teams in front of her and she has pre- T pared herself. She’s very competitive and focused. Rigsby was removed from a game by coach Mark Johnson.a unique defining moment as a freshman. Alex shoes and she has done a great job.” “I totally deserved to be pulled,” recalled Rigsby, SheOn came Friday into night, our Rigsby program will trying be one to of fill six some seniors big - recognized before the series opener against Minne- riod before getting the hook. “He made the right call, sota at LaBahn Arena. Eight months ago, she fully that’swho gave for sure.”up three goals on 10 shots in the first pe expected to be spending this weekend in Sochi, Rus- - sia, with Knight, Duggan, Vetter and Brianna Decker, pearance of her UW career at Ridder Arena in Min- another former Badgers teammate. neapolisIn her defense,against a she Minne was- making the first road ap But she was forced to sota team that included refocus again after get- Amanda Kessel, a budding ting cut in late June from star back then. the U.S. Olympic team. Refusing to make any Vetter, who led the Ameri- excuses, Rigsby said, “I cans to the silver medal at

JANA CHYTILOVA didn’t make the saves I the 2010 Winter Games needed. I caught an edge in Vancouver, was a lock. and they scored off that Head coach Katey Stone (on one goal). When I named and came out, I thought, ‘I can Brianne McLaughlin as the do so much better than backups. this.”’ After all the players gath- The No. 1-ranked Bad- ered in a room, Stone an- nounced the roster in al- defeat in nine games at phabetical order. “As soon thegers start lost, of7-5; the their 2010-11 first as I heard McLaughlin, I season. In retrospect, knew I wasn’t on the team,” Johnson lamented, “I Rigsby said. “When I came should have put her out of the room, I saw Brian- back in at the start of na (Decker) and she was cry- the third period.” ing and I gave her a hug, and But he didn’t. The fol- I was crying. It was tough. lowing morning, he did “It’s the game of hockey, get back on the ice with it’s what happens,” she ratio- Rigsby and spent about 20 minutes shooting nalized this week. “Even with pucks at her from different angles. “I was just getting some of the girls who made the team, some of their her refocused,” he explained. best friends were getting cut as well. The toughest The tutoring session paid immediate dividends. thing for me was never ever hearing why I got cut. I was never given a reason. shutout against the Gophers. She had 25 saves, Hil- aryRigsby Knight bounced had two back, goals defining and Meghan her, to Duggan toss a had 5-0 worked so hard to get to the point where I was. I three points. went“So, to yes, the ittrials was with definitely the mentality, a disappointment. ‘I’m going to I It was a turning point in Rigsby’s career. Not that do everything I can to not get cut and prove to them anyone knew at the time, including Johnson, that she that I should be on this team’ and I did just that. I had would go on to break Jessie Vetter’s record and be- a great tryout and then I got cut.” come the school leader in wins (96). “I don’t think any of us were going to dream then after getting cut. It was not the first time that she had to refocus

42 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 s a freshman at Arrowhead High School in “I FEEL REALLY GOOD RIGHT NOW,” Hartland, Wis.,• she• • played• on a boys AAA RIGSBY SAID. “I’VE HAD A COUPLE OF team in Chicago. “But I got cut going into my A FULL SERIES UNDER MY BELT AND I’M went back to Wisconsin and had tryouts with differ- JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE’VE entsophomore teams. But year,” they said all said,Rigsby, ‘Sorry, a Delafield we already native. have “I our goalies.”’ ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR AS A TEAM.” But there was one youth coach who was more than willing to give her a chance. “He was my coach back in third grade, so I’ve known him forever,” ― ― he al- Rigsby said. “I was so lucky to snag a spot on a team ways had my back,” she said. “A lot of guys wouldn’t he was definitely my biggest advocate with a coach who believed in me so much.” be where they are today if it wasn’t for him.” The coach was the late Ulvis Katlaps, who died It was Katlaps who eventually opened the door to from cancer last August. He was 45. Katlaps skated the Wisconsin hockey program for Rigsby. “He put professionally in his home country of Latvia before us on to her,” Johnson remembered. “He called up coming to the United States and playing two sea- and said, ‘Alex is a pretty good goaltender. You might sons on defense for the Badgers. He graduated from want to come over here and take a look at her.”’ UW with a journalism degree. Johnson and Rigsby attended Ulvis Katlaps’ fu- Katlaps was coaching the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals neral. AAA Boys Midget Minors when he answered Rigs- “I think about him all the time,” she said. “I’ve by’s distress signal. “He took me in and let me play been kind of playing this season for him.”

“I think about him all the time,” Rigsby said her former coach, Ulvis Katlaps, who lost his battle with cancer in August. “I’ve been kind of playing this season for him.”

43 ohnson felt like Rigsby needed some “space” after getting released• • • from • the Olympic team, J so he waited about 10 days before calling her “She saw what happened as a crossroads and she usedinto his it as office. motivation “We had to a come great backconversation,” stronger.” he said. Upon returning to the Madison campus, she didn’t waste any time getting involved with her UW team- mates. She was refocused on having the best senior season possible, especially after talking with John- he No. 2-ranked Badgers will return to the Kohl Center son. “I knew we had a great team and season ahead on Saturday with two goals in mind ― to take down of us,” she acknowledged excitedly. Ttheir top-ranked rivals from Minnesota and break But she would be tested again, this time by a knee their own NCAA attendance record in the process. The fourth Fill the Bowl game is the Badgers’ shot at injury during a Nov. 30 game at Minnesota Duluth. toppling the mark of 12,402 set in 2012 when UW faced off Freshman goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens took over for with Bemidji State. Rigsby and completed the 1-0 shutout. “This is my “Playing in front of that many fans is amazing, especially senior season and I want to be playing every game,” for a women’s sport where we don’t have too many experi- Rigsby sighed, “and now I’m injured.” ences quite like that,” said senior assistant captain Madison It could have been worse. “Luckily if something Packer, a veteran of two Fill the Bowl games. “The atmo- like this was going to happen, it happened at a sphere and energy that starts pumping when you get all great point in the season,” she agreed, “because I those people in the Kohl to cheer us on is pretty incredible.” only missed seven games with Christmas break.” Of A return to the Kohl Center for the first time in two years course, it all sounded like a broken record to Rigsby. adds a little more to an already emotional weekend that “I had to refocus again,” she said. begins with Senior Night in Friday’s series opener with the Whereas there were some mental hurdles after Gophers at LaBahn Arena. getting cut by the Olympic team, she was now con- “Not having done it last year creates a little bit more ex- fronted with some physical challenges once she got citement,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “Saying that, the players get excited because normally, especially when back in the crease. “Mentally, I was fresh,” she said. we are on the road, we aren’t playing in front of big crowd. We are fortunate at home to play in front of some large crowds, but for our freshmen it will be a new experience. “But I couldn’t get down in the butterfly (position) at Rigsby has been down this rehab path before. “I think any time you get into the thousands, whether its first and moving and making saves were just tough.” Prior to enrolling at Wisconsin, she had surgery on 3,000 or 4,000, or 12,000 or 14,000, the players get excited one hip, forcing her to battle back during her fresh- as a lot of them grow up watching the men and watching man year. Following that season, she had surgery on NHL games and seeing those types of crowds.” the other hip. “So my sophomore year I was battling The showdown with Minnesota marks the second time back again,” she said. Wisconsin has faced the Golden Gophers in the Fill the All the battles, including the most recent one with Bowl event, as UW bested Minnesota 3-1 in 2011. The game also happens to be one of Packer’s favorite memo- this season on a high note. “I feel really good right ries. now,”her knee, she said. have “I’ve strengthened had a couple her of resolvefull series to under finish “I remember walking out into the Kohl Center my fresh- my belt and I’m just so excited about what we’ve ac- man year when we played Minnesota and seeing a packed student section, hearing the fans scream louder than ever complished so far as a team.” before,” she said. “It is always fun to play such a power- Plus, she emphasized, “We have so much more house opponent, but to beat Minnesota on home ice in season to play.” front of such an amazing crowd was something I will never Spoken like a captain, which she is. The 22-year- forget.” old Rigsby is Wisconsin’s captain, overseeing a All fans attending the Fill the Bowl game are encour- young team of sophomores and freshmen, includ- aged to donate non-perishable food items at the gate to ing the aforementioned Desbiens. It could have been benefit Second Harvest Foodbank. — A.J. HARRISON • UW ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

44 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

awkward since Desbiens was recruited to replace ing most of Vetter’s records. Vetter was, after all, her Rigsby when she went with the Olympic team. role model. “It’s quite an honor to be mentioned in But they push each other at the rink and they’re the same sentence with her,” she said. “But I keep good friends off the ice, Rigsby said. saying these are team records. What would I be able “I’ve never had a goaltender as a captain,” John- to do without my team?” son noted. “But I looked at the big picture and what That includes Team Rigsby: her mom Nancy, her we had coming back and dad Tim and her two broth- I looked at our group as a “I’ve never had a goaltender as a ers, Zach and Chase. When- whole and they all respect ever Alex has felt down on Alex. When she talks, it’s a captain,” Johnson noted. “But ... I her luck, she thinks about powerful voice. When you looked at our group as a whole and what her mom had to over- have that voice in the locker come. Nancy had breast room it can be a helpful tool.” they all respect Alex. When she cancer and underwent a There are some logistical talks, it’s a powerful voice. When double mastectomy. She issues for a goalie serving as stayed positive, and she’s a captain. “It’s different be- you have that voice in the locker cancer-free today. cause I’m not on the bench room it can be a helpful tool.” How emotional will it be with my teammates,” she for Rigsby on Friday night said. “I can talk to them between whistles and I’m when she joins her parents on the ice during the pre- doing most of my talking between periods. It’s a very game senior salute? “The only way I’ll probably get humbling experience to be able to lead this group of emotional is if my mom is emotional,” she said. girls.” But even if she loses it and breaks down, she can Humbling is also the way Rigsby described break- count on one thing: she knows how to refocus.

46 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL BY PATRICK HERB @BADGERMBB

Captain Clutch: Jackson SCHEDULE (19-5, 6-5) LAST WEEK Feb. 4 at Illinois W, 75-63 earns title of UW’s closer Feb. 10 #8 Mich. State W, 60-58 Junior known for late-game, clutch buckets COMING UP Thursday Minnesota 8 p.m. Sunday at #15 Michigan Noon his past weekend, Trae- Minnesota and has only grown Feb. 22 at #16 Iowa 11 a.m. von Jackson added an- since then. Just over a week af- Feb. 26 Indiana 8 p.m. Tother chapter to his Cap- ter his shot against Minnesota tain Clutch series by sinking last season, the Westerville, yet another game-winner, this Ohio, native buried another time knocking off No. 8 Michi- late-game bucket, nailing a seconds remaining in regulation, Jackson gan State. 3-pointer with 19 seconds left tookState, an with inbounds the game pass tied from at 60Mike and Brue five- Wisconsin’s next opponent, to tie the game against Iowa, Minnesota, knows all too well eventually sending the game and dribbled into a 25-foot buzzer-beat- about Jackson’s late-game he- to overtime. Wisconsin would ingsewitz 3-pointer. at the opposite end of the floor roics, as his game-winner with go on to beat the Hawkeyes, Instances like these, along with his 2.1 seconds to go in last year’s 74-70, at home. late-game jumper against Florida earlier Border Battle buried the Go- Not only has Jackson’s this season, have cemented his reputa- phers. That game provided the clutch gene been on display tion as a late-game closer with fans and - at the Kohl Center, but he’s especially his teammates. ness and late-game heroics also taken his show on the “He’s going to hit the big shot when it thatfirst Jackson example has of thecome fearless to be road, saving his best for last matters,” Sam Dekker said. “There is no known for. in 2012-13 ― the last regular- one else I’d rather have the ball in their Jackson’s legend began with season game, that is. At Penn hands in that situation.”

48 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BY DIANE NORDSTROM @BADGERWBB SCHEDULE (10-14, 3-9) LAST FOUR Feb. 2 Ohio State W, 82-71 Feb. 5 #22 Nebraska L, 70-71OT Feb. 8 at Indiana L, 69-76 Wed. Minnesota L, 50-63 NEXT FOUR Sunday at #11 Penn State Noon Feb. 20 Michigan State 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at Purdue 1 p.m. March 2 Northwestern TBA

JOHNSON HITS 20 PLUS IN LAST FOUR ● Junior Michala Johnson has scored 20 or more points the last four games and is averaging 23 points per game over the span. She is also shooting 61.5 percent (40 of 65) from field goal range. The 6-foot-3 forward had a game- Junior Michala Johnson high 26 points at Michigan State on has scored 20-plus points Jan. 30, shooting 12 of 16 (75 percent) in the last four games. from the field. Against Ohio State on Feb. 2, Johnson shot 9 of 15 (60 per- cent) from the field, sharing game- Badgers counting down high honors with 21 points. After only two points at the half, she went on a tear against Nebraska regular season on Feb. 8, finishing with a game-high Wisconsin still looking to turn season around 24 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field (55 percent). Johnson scored the Badgers’ first eight points in over- espite playing some of ing and you’re not playing up time. She led UW with 21 points at In- its best ball of the sea- to your potential,” head coach diana on Saturday, shooting 57.1 per- Dson, the results aren’t Bobbie Kelsey said. “It will cent (8 of 14) from the field. showing up in the win-loss turn around for us. We’re just column for Wisconsin. hoping sooner rather than lat- TWO HIT 20-PLUS FOR UW The Badgers have dropped er.” ● Wisconsin had two 20-plus scorers at two straight, including an Indiana on Saturday as Michala John- overtime loss to No. 22 Ne- the regular season as the Bad- son led the Badgers with 21 points braska in the Kohl Center a gersOnly count five down games to remainthe 2014 in and Morgan Paige added 20 points. week ago, with UW still need- Big Ten Tournament on March It was the first time since Feb. 26, ing to show improvement. 6-9 at Bankers’ Life Fieldhouse 2012 vs. Illinois that UW had two 20- “It’s hard when you’re los- in Indianapolis. plus scorers in a game.

50 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO @BADGERMHOCKEY

SCHEDULE (16-8-2, 7-4-1-0) Reunited and feels so good LAST TIME OUT Feb. 6 #1 Minnesota W, 2-1 for Badgers’ top line Feb. 7 #1 Minnesota W, 2-1 Kerdiles, Zengerle and Barnes back together COMING UP Friday at Ohio State 6 p.m. hen the Badgers It turned out to be a dynamic Saturday at Ohio State 7 p.m. skate at Ohio State grouping as in those 14 games, Feb. 21 Michigan State 8 p.m. Won Friday, it will the trio combined for 20 goals, Feb. 22 Michigan State 4 p.m. be one day shy of exactly one 34 assists and 54 points. year since the forward line of Barnes scored nine goals in Nic Kerdiles, Mark Zengerle and Tyler Barnes was created. It was Feb. 15, 2013, and the season,the stretch, and including was named five to goals the Badgers were set to take on WCHAin the lastAll-Tournament five games ofTeam, the It appears the trio have be reunited for Minnesota at the Kohl Center, while Barnes and Zengerle at least one week as the group practiced before skating two days later each put up 17 points during together this week. Kerdiles returned to against the Gophers at Soldier the run. the lineup last weekend after missing six games due to injury, while Barnes ap- The combination, along with points in 12 consecutive pears ready to return after missing UW’s withfield. the rest of the Badgers games,Kerdiles goals finished in the the last season four last four games with an injury. contests, a WCHA tournament If all goes as planned, the Badgers Minnesota, but then skated to MVP honor and was named victoriesdropped in that 10 of first the gamenext 13, to the Hockey Commissioners’ time in exactly two months, dating back including a victory in the 2013 Association National Rookie of toshould the team’s be at Dec. full 14 strength game against for the Colo first- WCHA Championship Game. the Month for March/April. rado College.

52 // VARSITY February 13, 2014

INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY BY AJ HARRISON @BADGERWHOCKEY SCHEDULE (23-3-2, 19-3-2-1) LAST WEEK Feb. 7 at Ohio State W, 3-0 Feb. 8 at Ohio State W, 3-2 COMING UP Friday #1 Minnesota 7 p.m. Saturday #1 Minnesota 7 p.m. (Fill the Bowl - Kohl Center)

Wisconsin paces the nation in scoring de- fense, allowing 1.00 goals per contest. We haven’t faced each other since Oc- tober,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “We had two games up in Minne- apolis that were very tight and very en- tertaining.” In addition to being a top-two battle, - cance for the Badgers. Friday’s game againstboth games Minnesota will have is Senior a special Night, signifi as the Badgers celebrate the careers of Nata- lie Berg, Ilana Friedman, Kelly Jaminski, Stefanie McKeough, Madison Packer and Alex Rigsby prior to faceoff at LaBahn Arena. Berg, Jaminski, McKeough, Packer and Rigsby were all a part of Wisconsin’s last national championship team. Border Battle part II: UW “You get a lot of mixed emotions,” Johnson said. “Certainly it will be a spe- gets Gophers in showdown cial night for their family members and you realize how quickly time goes by.” Badgers look to avenge earlier sweep to Gophers On Saturday, the Badgers will play in the fourth-ever Fill the Bowl game at lot has happend to the sin sits seven points behind the Kohl Center as UW looks to break its No. 2 Badgers since be- Minnesota with four games NCAA single-game attendance record of Aing swept at No. 1 Min- remaining. The Badgers are 12,402. nesota on Oct. 11-12, as Wis- 12 points clear of No. 4 North “For our parents, our players and our consin reeled off a 16 game Dakota in the standings, and a fans, it’s going to be a special night be- unbeaten steak and rose to a win this weekend against the cause we don’t get an opportunity to do No. 2 ranking over the follow- Gophers would guarantee UW this on a regular basis,” Johnson said. ing months. “So hopefully everybody brings in some Now the Border Battle re- The series also features the non-perishable food items, we send a lot match comes to Madison this topa top-two scoring finish offense in the in league.the na - of food down to Second Harvest Food- weekend with WCHA title im- tion in Minnesota, which aver- bank, and everybody’s a winner in the plications at stake. Wiscon- ages 4.80 goals per game, while evening.”

54 // VARSITY February 13, 2014 SCHEDULE (23-3-2, 19-3-2-1) INSIDE SOFTBALL BY ANNA POULTER-HENDRICKSON @BADGERSOFTBALL SCHEDULE (2-2) COMING UP Friday Ga. Southern 10 a.m. Friday Fla. Gulf Coast 12:30 p.m. Saturday FIU 11:30 a.m. Saturday TBD 2/4:30 p.m. Sunday TBD 9 a.m.

nobody backed down and they battled the entire time.” Wisconsin was up to the challenge - ing by four runs in the sixth inning, UW loadedagain in the the bases weekend’s and brought final game. the Trailtying run to the plate, never backing down from the top-ranked Gators.

Healy said. “We got to see what the top teams“It wasin the a country great first look weekendlike and get out,” an idea of where we need to be in May.” Following the weekend’s action, Flori- da moved up a spot in both the USA Soft- ball and NFCA polls to No. 1/2. Opening weekend proved that the un- ranked Badgers can hang with the best Badgers show grit in of them. STEWART THROWS NO-HITTER ● Taylor-Paige Stewart etched her name opening weekend in the UW record books on Feb. 8 when UW suffers only losses to top-ranked Florida against Bethune Cookman. Stewart she threw her first career no-hitter isconsin’s season the Wildcats hitless, striking out two started with a loss. run by Stephanie Peace gave andpitched walking five complete two. The innings, Badgers holding plated Gators, a first-inning home WTo a highly-ranked the Badgers a 1-0 lead and eight runs on nine hits and committed Florida team. starting pitcher Taylor-Paige one error in the 8-0 win. The Badgers opened the Stewart held UF to just one hit 2014 season in Tampa, Fla., DARRAH CONTINUES WINNING last weekend at the USF-Wil- Florida until the sixth inning ● son DeMarini Tournament toin scorethe first a run. five innings. It took win of the season against Illinois State where a pair of losses to then “The team showed a lot onCassandra Feb. 8, marking Darrah herpicked 66th up career her first vic- No. 3/4 ranked Florida book- tory at UW and moving her into sec- ended a pair of wins. head coach Yvette Healy said. ond all-time. Andrea Kirchberg tops “Andof grit for and as agood lot ofas fight,”Florida UW is, the record list with 87 career wins.

56 // InVARSITY the first February game 13, against 2014 the

INSIDE TENNIS BY PATRICK HERB // @BADGERWTENNIS @BADGERMTENNIS SCHEDULE COMING UP: MEN Feb. 15 #42 Drake 2 p.m. Feb. 16 SMU Noon COMING UP: WOMEN Feb. 14 #63 Louisville 2 p.m. Feb. 16 Dartmouth 10 a.m.

burgh and the Badgers are 2-2 all-time against the Bulldogs but will be looking to avenge last season’s 4-0 setback at Drake. Saturday’s match with Drake is sched- uled to begin at 2 p.m., with Sunday’s contest against SMU starting at noon. Both matches are free to the public. • • • • On the women’s side, the Tina Samara era is off to a perfect start, but that has by no means equaled satisfaction. “You can’t be mad at 3-0, but I’m also not happy at 3-0,” Samara explained. “We Undefeated home records always want to improve and aim to be competitive against at the highest level.” on the line this weekend After consecutive wins over Mar- UW men and women both host pair of matches quette, Northern Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin will step up the competition when it welcomes No. 63 Louisville and (3-2 overall, 3-0 at home) and Dartmouth to Nielsen this weekend. weeks of the 2014 sea- women (3-0 overall, 2-0 at Tson,hrough the the Wisconsin first few home) host a pair of challeng- Big East a year ago with a record of 17- men’s and women’s tennis ing matches at Nielsen Tennis 9. TheThat Cardinalsincluded a finished 7-0 sweep fourth of the in Bad the- teams have more in common Stadium. gers in Louisville. than simply the W emblazoned Coming off a thrilling 4-3 UW is also looking for retribution on their shirts; both are off the win over 70th-ranked Tulane against Dartmouth after falling 6-1 last undefeated starts at home and their last time out, the Badgers season in Hanover, N.H. gaining momentum in the pro- (now ranked 70th) will square Friday’s match with Louisville is cess. off with their fourth ranked The unblemished home opponent of the season when serve against Dartmouth set to precede marks will be put to the test No. 42 Drake comes to town. thescheduled men’s match to start at 10 at a.m. 2 p.m. on Sunday. with first As this weekend as both the men Head coach Greg Van Em- always, both matches are free.

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THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY

WATCH: HOCKEY CITY CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS HOCKEY AU NATUREL FEBRUARY 10, 2013: In front of 52,051 people, Kevin Schulze, John Ramage and Sean Little scored second-period goals to give UW a 3-0 lead over Minnesota at Soldier Field in Chicago in the OfficeMax Hockey City Classic. The Badgers held on for a 3-2 victory over the Golden Gophers. COACH WITH THE MOST FEBRUARY 17, 1996: Men’s hockey coach Jeff Sauer coached his 1,000th career game, a 5-4 victory at Northern Michigan. BIG TEN BEST ALSO FEBRUARY 19, 2009: Freshman Beckie Thompson broke her own Big Ten record in the 50-yard freestyle with a swim of 22.09 seconds on her way to the conference THIS title in the event. WEEK NATIONAL EXPOSURE FEBRUARY 14, 2009: ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasted live from the Kohl Center prior to a 55-50 win over Ohio State. In front 2,500 fans, Bo Ryan, Marcus Landry and Joe Krabbenhoft appeared along with ESPN’s Bob Knight, Rece Davis, { Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps and Hubert Davis.

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