MADISON, Wis. -- Maybe Wisconsin's basketball team was due
for a letdown. That's what could have happened, anyway, and who'd have blamed
the Badgers?
There were those three difficult games to open the season,
two against BCS-level opponents and one on the road against a pesky in-state
foe. Then an unexpectedly thrilling and emotional home victory Tuesday night
against North Dakota in which Badgers center Frank Kaminsky broke the
single-game scoring record with 43 points.
Certainly, one poor performance in the bunch Thursday would
have been understandable. Instead, the Badgers kept on rolling and showed once
again why they're primed to be one of the most entertaining Wisconsin teams in
years.
No. 12 Wisconsin soundly defeated Bowling Green 88-64 on
Thursday night in the Kohl Center, doing it the new-school way Badgers fans are
unaccustomed to seeing -- with a sizzling scoring surge.
Six players scored in double figures, marking the first time
Wisconsin achieved that feat since a Dec. 28, 1995 game against Eastern
Illinois. Until Tuesday's 103-85 victory against North Dakota, it also marked
the last game the Badgers scored 100 points.
Ben Brust paced Wisconsin with 19 points, and he was joined
by teammates Sam Dekker (14), Kaminsky (14), Traevon Jackson (13), Josh Gasser
(11) and Bronson Koenig (10). And the fact so many players are capable of
scoring consistently provides another example of why this year's team is
unique.
"They look at pregame scouting reports and they see six
guys in double figures here, five the first game," Dekker said of opposing
teams. "We have almost a different leading scorer every night, you kind of
have to approach this team as who are we going to take away today and who are
we going to focus on? But there's always going to be two, three, four other
guys that are going to be able to hit a big shot or make a play.
"We have four or five guys that any night could easily
lead our team in scoring, lead multiple teams in scoring. It's probably tough
to scout against us."
Wisconsin has never averaged more than 71.1 points per game
in the previous 12 seasons under coach Bo Ryan. But through five games, the
Badgers are averaging 81.0 points per game. UW came in averaging 77 points and
hit its average with 7:34 remaining in the game on a Jackson free throw. The
Badgers also scored 80 points in consecutive contests for the first time in 31
games.
Ryan said his team is demonstrating the offensive balance
and reliability he expected. During the Badgers' five-game Canadian exhibition
tour in August, the team averaged 96.2 points per game, although the rules were
much different and included only a 24-second shot clock.
"It's what we've seen," Ryan said. "We've
seen it in practice, we saw it in Canada. When we chart our practices and look
at them, if you stop one guy, are we going to have that kind of team? I don’t
think that’s the case. So, the offensive efficiency, those numbers are speaking
for themselves to this point."
Even before the start, Thursday's game figured to be of the
higher scoring variety -- which is atypically playing right into Wisconsin's
hands. Bowling Green entered the game averaging 103.0 possessions per game,
which ranked No. 3 in the country. Wisconsin, meanwhile, was averaging 68.0
possessions per game, which served as the highest mark under Ryan.
"We've always tried to push the ball," Ryan said.
"And if you don’t have it, then you run the half-court offense. It's never
changed. And most of the guys that have seen my teams play from the '80s on,
Platteville, Milwaukee and here, they know that if we can get something in
transition, we're going to take it. And if not, then you've got to guard
because we're going to try to get a really good shot. Somebody told me a long
time ago that’s how you're supposed to play the game."
What has made this year's Wisconsin team especially
maddening to defend is its ability to stretch the floor with 3-pointers.
Wisconsin began the night ranked 14th in the country in 3-point field goal
accuracy (45.7 percent), and the Badgers performed even better Thursday. They
drilled 12 of 20 attempts, with five players hitting at least one.
"It's just good to have unselfish guys," Gasser
said. "Everyone who contributes brings something different I think, which
is a good thing."
Bowling Green trailed just 23-22 at the 8:23 mark of the
first half until Wisconsin closed the half on a 21-6 run. During that time,
Jackson, Brust (twice) and reserve Duje Dukan all buried 3-point baskets to
allow the Badgers to pull away.
On the season, four of Wisconsin's starters are averaging
double figures in scoring, and Gasser is just behind at 9.8 points per game.
"Wisconsin, they're just a tough cover," Bowling
Green coach Louis Orr said. "They are a tough, tough cover because they
spread you out, they hit 3s, they play off the dribble. They post every
position. Then you've got to worry about a 7 footer (Kaminsky) that can shoot
3s, so they spread you out. It's a team you've got to guard, and it's not
easy."
The Badgers improved to 5-0 for the third time under Ryan.
UW's best start with Ryan in charge was a 6-0 mark to begin the 2011-12 season,
and it can match that with a victory Saturday night against Oral Roberts. A win
also would almost assuredly boost UW into the top 10 in the Associated Press
top 25 poll because No. 11 Memphis and No. 10 VCU have already lost this week.
Wisconsin has spent just one week in the AP top 10 over the
past five seasons. But if this year's unit is proving anything, it's that when
it comes to past teams in recent memory, there really is no comparison.
