Norse face uphill climb in clash with third-ranked Badgers
Nov 14, 2014 - 4:35 PM Madison, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - The 2014-15 season tips off at the Kohl Center for the third-ranked Wisconsin Badgers on Friday night when they take on the Northern Kentucky Norse.Considering the Norse's status as a transitioning Division II squad over the past few seasons, they have performed admirably during their early life as an Atlantic Sun Conference member under coach Dave Bezold, but after a 9-9 conference record in 2012-13, the team regressed last season to 9-21 overall and just 5-13 in league play.
Wisconsin was outstanding a season ago, advancing all the way to the Final Four for the third time in its history, and at 30-8 overall, it finished with 30 or more wins for the third time in the past eight seasons. The Badgers, who enter their 14th season under head coach Bo Ryan, are the odds-on favorite to win the Big Ten Conference and earned eight first-place votes in the preseason poll.
The Norse and the Badgers have never before played one another.
NKU, which scored 68.1 ppg while allowing 73.7 a season ago, had a very young team during the 2013-14 campaign, and as a result all 12 players who saw the floor last season are back on the roster this time around, all but assuring an improved squad. Leading the way is guard Jordan Jackson, who enters his senior season (still one of just two seniors) looking to improve upon the 13.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg he put up last season. Tyler White (10.8 ppg) shot just 36.3 percent from the field but drained a team-best 49 3- pointers. Jalen Billups (9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Todd Johnson (8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg) are also expected to be key contributors yet again. Chad Jackson (6-4, 200), who redshirted last season after transferring from James Madison, hopes to bring depth to the backcourt.
The Badgers displayed excellent continuity last season in rolling out the same starting five for all 38 games. Four of those starters are back for the 2014-15 campaign, led by Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky (13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 66 blocks). Joining Kaminsky in the frontcourt is Sam Dekker (12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg), and Traevon Jackson (10.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.0 apg) and Josh Gasser (8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg) are cemented as starters in the backcourt once again. Wisconsin was one of the nation's most well-balanced teams a season ago, scoring 73.5 ppg while allowing just 64.0 ppg.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Badgers jump up in AP Top 25 ahead of conference play Dec 25
- The Badgers are benefitting from an intriguing up-and-coming freshman Dec 23
- Badgers HC Greg Gard provides an update on Chucky Hepburn’s injury Dec 23
- Wisconsin Badgers vs. Chicago State Cougars: Game Thread Dec 22
- Fall/Winter Badgers Sports Report Card Dec 18
- Badgers forwards break down the improvements in finishing Dec 17
- Will the Badgers finish as a top-25 team? Dec 16
- Badgers cruise past Jacksonville State behind strong games from Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl Dec 15
- Instant reaction to the Badgers 75-60 win over Jacksonville State Dec 15
- Three quick takeaways from the Badgers 75-60 win over Jacksonville State Dec 15
- Wisconsin Badgers vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks: Game Thread Dec 14
- John Blackwell, Tyler Wahl, and Max Klesmit break down fast start to Wisconsin’s season Dec 14