2/20 Update: Before I get to my game grades from yesterday's basketball game against Michigan State, let me say a few things about their effort.
2/20 Update: Before I get to my game grades from yesterday's basketball game against Michigan State, let me say a few things about their effort.
First, I think we saw a lot of the same issues from this team that we have seen all season...lack of a go-to guy, missed shots, coming short on the road, etc. But, while some of the individual game grades might be mediocre, I don't recall the last time I saw a Badger team play with such determination and I don't know how you couldn't feel for them as they walked off that court yesterday. Anyone who questioned the heart of this team had those questions answered yesterday.
Secondly, I would like to see this hunger in ALL of their games, not just those in "unwinnable" games. The games at Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan State have arguably been three of their better games of the year in terms of effort, but all three still wound up as losses, due mainly to talent issues. Now, if this team brings that kind of effort to Penn State or Iowa or the Northern Illinois games, we are sitting here at 15-10 or so and are looking at possible seeds in the NCAA tournament. I do not mean to imply that they didn't play hard in those losses, but just that they did not reach back for that extra gear.
Well, it is now do or die time as they are looking at probably needing to go 3-0 to get in the Big Dance. So we shall see if they can bring this intensity to a must-win game at Iowa.
Here are the game grades from the basketball game yesterday against Michigan State:
Andy Kowske: B
Played about as hard as I have seen Kowske play, and while the results weren't always pretty, his physical presence inside was a key to the Badgers hanging in there with MSU in my opinion. He had troble finishing around the hoop and had trouble when MSU sent help at him, but overall, I thought Kowske accounted for himself well.
Charlie Wills: C
Hit an early "3" but had trouble with the athletic nature of the Spartans. A couple times, Charlie had decent position, but couldn't make the tough rebound because frankly he doesn't have the explosiveness to go get them. Held without a rebound but held his own on defense.
Roy Boone: B
Like Kowske, the numbers weren't staggering, but Boone's athletic skills brought a lot to the floor and it was apparent when he was out of the game. Shot the ball reasonably well, especially from inside and was a force on the boards. Roy had a few unnecessary forces on offense (resulting in 4 turnovers), but that is something this team is going to have to live with. Boone did a terrific job on Cleaves once again by making him shoot from the perimeter.
Kirk Penney: D
Looked to have a bit more spring in his step, though wasn't a factor on either end of the court.
Mike Kelley: C-
Did a pretty good job on the boards and his usual good job on Bell and Peterson (hard to tell who he was guarding all the time). Offensively, had some trouble against the very quick Spartans in terms of getting the offense moving, resulting in some forced shots by his teammates.
Jon Bryant: B
Was the main offensive threat in the second half, hitting on 3 of 5 from behind the arc, though just couldn't get enough shots to get the Badgers over the hump. Braynt was also active on defense and did a nice job of collapsing on the double teams.
Mark Vershaw: D
Once again was manhandled inside which limited his minutes. 3 turnovers, usually after bumps which knocked Vershaw off balance. Against less than physical teams, Vershaw is an excellent player. But, when the big bodies come at him, he just can't play his game.
Maurice Linton: C
Held his own against the Spartans (when not being alley-ooped on) but had trouble getting his shot off (at least two blocked and several, including his "3", off the mark badly). Passed the ball well.
Travon Davis: B-
Again held his turnovers down (0) and added some energy to the mix as well as some excellent board work (at his size). Wasn't able to convert his energy into any assists though as MSU closed down the passing lanes effectively.
Duany Duany: C
Got into some foul trouble and MSU just would not allow him to get his shot off, limiting his minutes despite the start. Had some trouble also with the physical nature of the game as he was outfought for a couple rebounds and was also posted up a few times.
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