CONTENTS DECEMBER 4, 2014 ■ VOLUME 5, ISSUE 16 COVER STORY NEVER IN DOUBT Saddled with early-season struggles, outsiders wondered if all was lost for Joel Stave. Inside, however, the quarterback’s confidence never wavered. The rest is history. FEATURES VOLLEYBALL IN [FOCUS] HEADS IN THE CLOUDS The week's best photos Big dreams have led to big things LUCAS AT LARGE Koenig a year bigger, better this season for Dominique Thomp­ son and the Badgers, who are set to BEHIND THE DESK make an NCAA tournament run. Impressed by improvement THE VOICE Tip of the cap to Joel Stave LUCAS AT LARGE BY THE NUMBERS Facts and figures on UW NEW YEAR, NEW MAN WHAT TO WATCH Tune in to catch Badgers After showing flashes of his capa­ bilities last season, sophomore INSIDE MEN'S BASKETBALL Bronson Koenig is back a year big­ Rivalry renewal well-timed ger and a year better for Badgers. INSIDE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Badgers-SCROLL look FORto finish MORE­ the job INSIDE VOLLEYBALL NCAA tourney journey begins Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711 VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas Director of Athletic Communications Julia Hujet Editor/Designer Brian Mason Managing Editor Mike Lucas Senior Writer Matt Lepay Columnist Drew Scharenbroch Video Production Amy Eager Advertising Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution Contributors Paul Capobianco, Tam Flarup, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography David Stluka, Neil Ament, Greg Anderson, Steve Gotter, Jack McLaughlin, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire Problems or Accessibility Issues? [email protected] © 2014 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS » UWBADGERS.COM Experienced Koenig a season bigger, better er usual, there was mu­ under after playing three games nig had 11 assists and only one sic blaring from the Kohl in three days.” turnover in 65 minutes overall. PCenter weight room after The Badgers won all three ― He also scored 14 points in the a recent Wisconsin basketball against UAB, Georgetown and Georgetown victory. practice. While the sound of Oklahoma ― to win the 2014 “He stepped right in when Trae Christmas music was atypical Battle 4 Atlantis and Koenig (Traevon Jackson) got in foul of such heavy metal-induced distinguished himself with some trouble,” Gard said. “It showed environments, it was purely in heavy lifting off the bench. Koe­ his maturity, moxie and poise character with the character on the floor. It also showed his responsible for playing it, Frank ability to score and facilitate and “HE’S IN A POSITION TO Kaminsky. run the show. We knew what he BE MORE AGGRESSIVE “Frank put that on, of course; could do, it was just a matter of OFFENSIVELY,” GARD SAID. he likes his Christmas music,” getting out there and doing it in “HE KNOWS THAT HE said Bronson Koenig, who cer­ live action.” DOESN’T HAVE TO DE­ tainly didn’t want to come off as What he was able to do over FER. HE KNOWS WHAT a Grinch. Seniority takes prece­ 27 minutes against Georgetown “A GOOD SHOT IS AND dence, even if it means getting was not unlike his first half WHAT WE WANT.” your swell on to the Little Drum­ against Kentucky in the Final mer Boy or Jingle Bell Rock. Four when he provided an offen­ “He’s a senior, he can play what sive spark by scoring 11 points he wants,” Koenig sighed. in 16 minutes. In both instances, Koenig is a sophomore and he had no trouble handling the he’s starting to look the part. ball pressure or strength of the “He’s a year older, a year ” opposing guards. wiser, a year smarter, And he’s a little bigger and a year more ma­ stronger this season. “Definitely ture, a year more stronger,” said Koenig, a sopho­ confident, a year more from La Crosse Aquinas. more comfortable,” “I’m fluctuating between rattled off UW associ­ 190 and 194 (his recent ate head coach Greg Gard. “He weight loss notwithstanding) seems so much more at ease and I’m moving better on de­ than what he was a year ago.” fense along with being able to After completing his weight absorb contact, stuff like that.” lifting session to the Christmas In addition to be better suited medley, the 6-foot-4, 187-pound physically to deal with the rigors Koenig took a seat outside the of Big Ten competition, Koenig UW locker room and downed a has a better grasp of what is be­ protein drink. “I’m trying not to ing asked of him. “He’s in a posi­ lose weight during the season,” tion to be more aggressive of­ he said. “I’m about three pounds fensively,” Gard said. “He knows -PAGE 1 OF 2­ LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS » UWBADGERS.COM that he doesn’t have to defer. He they were a dynamic one-two Before the start of his fresh­ knows what a good shot is and punch in the Bahamas. man year, Koenig had to deal what we want.” “That was probably one of the with an offseason setback when That’s the beauty of experi­ biggest transitions from high he hurt his back. This season, ence ― one season under Bo school,” Koenig said of adjust­ he had mono, which also set Ryan’s wing. “I just know how ing to not being in the starting him back. On top of that, he got to play in coach Ryan’s system lineup. “And here I am my soph­ off to a slow start offensively; now,” said Koenig, who had omore year and I’m still coming he made only 2 of his first 11 modest freshman numbers ― off the bench, which is fine with field goal attempts over the first averaging 3.5 points and 15.5 me with how good we are (in the three games. minutes with 41 assists to 18 backcourt) and the guys that we “He’s just too good of a shoot­ turnovers ― and expects “fewer have.” er mechanically and he puts too offensive and defensive lapses.” It’s not as easy as it looks to much time in it,” Gard said. “He It all should lead to more play­ stay ready and to deliver when can get shots off pretty much on ing time with the graduation called upon to enter a game anybody with his ability to make loss of guard Ben Brust. Koe­ because it’s subject to matchups plays with the ball.” nig was averaging 21 minutes and foul trouble. “But it’s really Koenig was disappointed, but through the first seven games as not hard for me stay focused he echoed Gard’s observation, “I one of the top subs; he’s the first when I’m on the bench,” Koenig know I’m a good shooter.” Oth­ guard off the bench and Duje said, “because I’m always ready ers will find that out this season Dukan is the first “big.” Together, to get in there and produce.” if they don’t know it already. ■ DAVID STLUKA DAVID STEVE GOTTER STEVE -PAGE 2 OF 2­ BEHIND THE DESK BY BARRY ALVAREZ » UW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Badgers keep finding ways to get better t was a great atmosphere last Northwestern. never tell what might happen. Saturday at Camp Randall. That’s what good coaches do. It has been an interesting week IYou saw how much the Axe You see what your issues are in our league with job openings and tradition and the seniors and you try to correct them. You now at Nebraska and Michigan. and winning the West Division try to make sure your team im­ Those brands are important for title meant to the players and proves and that’s exactly what our conference, along with Penn our fans. we’ve done. We got better. State. Our league needs those I thought both teams played What’s impressive is to come schools to be good. For the Big really hard. It was a classic Big into the season with such a Ten to be strong, they have to be Ten game, very physical foot­ young team with so many ques­ strong. And I want our league to ball. And I thought everybody tion marks and then to play the be strong, as well as us. appreciated how the game was way we did down the stretch My time is winding down on played. It was a feel-good day. against three good teams, and the playoff selection committee It sure was nice to be able to to beat them all. for this season, and it has been celebrate with the kids and the All three are rivals, especially interesting, very interesting. coaches during the trophy pre­ Iowa and Minnesota, and those I’ve said all along that our sentation following the game. I are always intense rivalry games. people come in well-prepared. thought it was all pretty cool. And we were able to come away We have good discussions and After the Northwestern loss, with wins in all three, including there isn’t anything that is taken I guarantee you that I wasn’t Nebraska, a budding rivalry. lightly. It has been a very thor­ thinking about championships All three are physical teams ough process, I promise you or playing in Indianapolis again and you’re going to get beat up. that. And I’ve enjoyed it. for a Big Ten title. But there were But Gary managed the players But it wears on you, and your some adjustments made.