After the Badgers season ended in heartbreaking fashion against Notre Dame, it’s officially time to look ahead to 2016-2017. It’s never too soon, right?
With the beginning of the 2015-2016 season starting out shaky, the Badgers found themselves in the middle of the season during Big Ten play. As late as January after a loss to Northwestern, it seemed doubtful that a tournament berth was going to be possible, but the Badgers were resilient. Not only did they make the tournament – they were within 30 seconds of making the Elite 8. The strides the 2015-16 team made should make Badger fans everywhere excited for next year. The expectations are going to be high, so let’s look at the keys of the offseason for Wisconsin.
1. Nigel Hayes returning
This one may seem inevitable, but still, it wouldn’t be the first time a player jumped to the NBA before he should have. Coming into the season, Hayes was a projected first-round pick, and there hasn’t been any word yet on his plans for next year. At this point in time, he is projected as a 2nd-rounder, and his shaky performance in the tournament didn’t help his stock. After an inconsistent season, it would be in his best interest to come back for his senior season. If Hayes returns, that means every Badger who played a key role is back.
2. Nigel Hayes playing more effectively
As mentioned, Hayes was very up and down all season. He was much more efficient last season than this season. One factor is that all the noise around him from last season (in the forms of Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker) was gone. Teams were able to give more of their attention to stopping Nigel Hayes now that he wasn’t the third option. That definitely hurt him, but what may be the biggest problem was the change in his shooting motion. A lot has been made about his shooting motion, but Hayes has been adamant that his form is fine. Here are his splits from the last two seasons:
2014-15: 12.4 PPG, 49.7 FG%, 39.6 3PT%, .744 FT%
2015-16: 15.7 PPG, 36.8 FG%, 29.3 3PT%, .736 FT%
He is down 10-plus percentage points in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage from last season. If Nigel can regain his efficiency from his sophomore season, that would be big time for the Badgers.
3. Ethan Happ developing a jump shot
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year is has a bright future in Madison. His footwork is something to be in awe of. He uses his body very well to create space around the rim. He knows how to use his length to beat taller defenders.
Ethan Happ is very, very good, leading people to compare him to Frank Kaminsky. Even though Happ is unstoppable at times, a comparison to Kaminsky is unfair until he develops a jump shot. Kaminsky was one of the most prolific shooters in Wisconsin history, and we hardly saw Happ shoot any jumpers all season.
Happ doesn’t necessarily need to develop a three-point shot. A solid midrange jumper that would pull defenders out to 12-15 feet on him would be key for Happ, because then he could use his above average handles for a big man, quickness, and footwork to get to the rim. Until he can knock down a jump shot consistently, let’s not compare him to Kaminsky, although Happ is light years ahead of where Kaminsky was as a freshman.
Another key for Happ is to stay out of foul trouble. Happ averaged three fouls a game, and got into foul trouble in every game in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers need him on the floor. If he’s a little less risky on the defensive end along with a little smarter, this goal is attainable.
4. Incorporating Brevin Pritzl and Andy Van Vliet into the rotation
The Badgers don’t have any new freshmen or transfers for next season as of right now, but that’s okay, largely because of two freshmen that didn’t play this year: Brevin Pritzl and Andy Van Vliet.
Brevin Pritzl was a four-star recruit out of De Pere, Wisconsin, but he he broke his foot during the pre-season, and the Badgers are looking to get a medical redshirt year from him. Pritzl is a prolific shooter and very well-rounded on the offensive end as a whole. With Zak Showalter claiming the two guard starting spot, Pritzl could be a key contributor off the bench. Wisconsin didn’t have much offensive punch off the bench with Khalil Iverson, Charlie Thomas, and Alex Illikainen; Pritzl could bring a spark off the bench which would be huge for the Badgers because of their tendency to have long droughts on offense.
Andy Van Vliet was brought over from Belgium, and he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. He won’t get that year of eligibility back. Van Vliet is 6’11”, which would make him the tallest Badger in the rotation. With the rest of the front court being 6’7″, 6’8″, or 6’9″, there is definitely a role for AVV as a rim protector, inside-out guy, and a rebounder.
5. Vitto Brown developing an inside game
Vitto Brown emerged during the middle of the season, which had a lot to do with Wisconsin’s success. He became a knock down shooter, with his 3-point percentage at 40% to end the season. He did this without having an inside game whatsoever. He has the ability to knock down midrange jumpers and threes, but has never been able to really make a post move. Having some sort of inside game is the next progression for Vitto Brown.
2016-17 Projected Rotation
| G | Bronson Koenig (Sr.) |
Jordan Hill (R-Jr.) | |
| G | Zak Showalter (R-Sr.) |
Brevin Pritzl (R-Fr.)* | |
| F | Nigel Hayes (Sr.) |
Khalil Iverson (So.) | |
| F | Vitto Brown (Sr.) |
Alex Illikainen (So.) | Aaron Moesch (R-Jr.) |
| F/C | Ethan Happ (R-So.) |
Andy Van Vliet (So.) | Charlie Thomas (So.) |
Others
G Jackson Bax
G Matt Ferris
G Will Decorah
G T.J. Schlundt
*If granted medical redshirt
NOTE: Two scholarships still available
Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Department.