With only 14 players on the roster, six that are freshmen, the UW men's basketball team may see some of its freshmen make significant contributions this year. Here is a rundown on what to expect from the players this season, with comments from their high school coaches and senior guard Kirk Penney.
Jason Chappell
Position: Forward/Center
Height: 6'10\
Weight: 230 lbs.
Hometown: New Berlin, Wis.
High School: New Berlin West and Worcester Academy in Massachusetts.
Chappell is loaded with talent, but will need some time to develop. With sophomore forward Mike Wilkinson and junior center Dave Mader providing some tutelage, Chappell should take great strides in perfecting his footwork and could provide some added depth in the paint. His ability to shoot will also help clear up the lane for sophomore guard Devin Harris and junior guard Freddie Owens to get to the hoop.
Accolades: Honorable mention all-state as a senior at Worcester ... Averaged 20 points, 16 rebounds and five assists ... Won Division II state championship.
Penney's take: ""He's got a lot of talent. He's raw right now. If he keeps working real hard with his footwork and playing the game and getting some experience, he will improve a lot.""
John Emerson
Position: Guard
Height: 6'4""
Weight: 195 lbs.
Hometown: New Richmond, Wis.
High School: New Richmond
Emerson comes to UW with three years' experience in the swing offense. Emerson has good size for a guard and has textbook form on his jump shot. His size will help him get his shot off against aggressive defenders and his size will be a factor when driving to the basket.
Accolades: First team all-Northwest and all-Big River Conference ... Big River Conference Player of the Year ... Averaged 21 points, eight rebounds ... First-team all-conference as a junior ... Two-time team Most Valuable Player and captain.
High school coach's take: ""John started three years. He can take it to the basket and does a good job of finishing in the lane. He is a solid outside shooter. [Emerson] has been in the swing offense before so he has a good understanding of the game. Physically, he has prepared himself and I hope to see him do well.""
Penney's take: ""Here is a guy who can shoot the rock. He just needs to get out there and let it fly.""
Ray Nixon
Position: Forward
Height: 6'8""
Weight: 205 lbs.
Hometown: Milwaukee
High School: Milwaukee Dominican
Nixon should be able to provide some energy off of the bench. Nixon's size and athletic ability should help the Badgers push the ball up and down the floor and stretch the opposing defense. He is a very well-rounded player and could play multiple positions.
Accolades: Second-team all-state ... Averaged 12.3 points ... Led Dominican to 24-1 record ... First-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state as a junior ... Averaged 15 points, six rebounds ... Won state championship as a sophomore.
Penney's take: ""[He is a] good athlete who can run the floor really well. He can do a lot of different things.""
Alando Tucker
Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6'5""
Weight: 195 lbs.
Hometown: Lockport, Ill.
High School: Township
The high-flying Tucker will provide a lot of excitement over the next few years. Tucker's outstanding athletic ability will be crucial for the Badgers against more athletically gifted teams. His ability to play several positions will create a lot of match up problems across the board. If Tucker can continue to improve and provide help on the boards, the Badgers will be that much tougher.
Accolades: First-team all-state selection as a senior ... Averaged 22.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists ... Named to Herald News AA all-area team ... Scored 31 pts against Joliet, then the No. 1 team in the state ... Averaged 21.6 points, seven rebounds as a junior.
High school coach's take: ""We have very high expectations of Alando. ... Overall he is a great student of the game. He is very humble. I am hoping he will adjust to the physical part of the game and not shy away from the contact. He has enormous potential and he is a a prestigious university where he has the chance to be pretty good.""
Penney's take: ""We have seen him in exhibition games. He is an athlete and is talented. Hopefully he will keep working and contribute more and more.""
Boo Wade
Position: Guard
Height: 6'3""
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hometown: Milwaukee
High School: Vincent
The talented Wade could have a very large impact on the Badgers' season this year. With the departure of Travon Davis, Harris has switched to the point. If Harris has trouble getting involved offensively, Wade could provide some much-needed help. Harris will be needed to score points and if Wade can play point and let Harris play shooting guard, the Badgers will be able to do some different things offensively.
Accolades: First-team all-state by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ... 15.3 points as a senior ... Posted a 23-1 record senior year ... Second-team all-state by Associated Press ... Scored 60 points in a three-game state tournament as a junior ... Scored 23 points in the championship game ... Claimed two consecutive state championships.
High school coach's take: ""His potential is unlimited. Hopefully he will listen to [Penney] and [Harris] and the rest of the team. He is surrounded by quality athletes, which will really help him. The Big Ten is a tough brand of basketball so it will be a real learning curve for him. ... He is extremely skilled and handles the ball very well, which should help.
Penney's take: ""He is a good back up point guard. He solid and has a good savvy for the game. Needs to keep working and should be able to help us this year.""
Andreas Helmigk
Position: Forward
Height: 6'9""
Weight: 245lbs.
Hometown: Klagenfurt, Austria
Team: Austrian National
The experienced Helmigk provides a lot of size and strength. Although Andreas is a freshman, he is 23 years old and next month will turn 24. Andreas has played professionally overseas and shouldn't have much of a problem adjusting to the physical style of the Big Ten. With the three-headed monster of Wilkinson, Helmigk, and Mader, the Badgers should have a lot of solid bodies to through in the paint.
Accolades: Played for Worthersee Piraten in the first division of the Austrian League ... Averaged 11 points and six rebounds despite playing just the second and third quarters due to amateur status.
Penney's take: ""He has been in the European League so he is tough and strong. He plays very hard. He will continue to improve and I know at the end of the day he will give us a lot out there.\
