The media frenzy heading into the 2004-'05 men's basketball season was not about a team looking to win its third consecutive Big Ten title, but about Badger point guard Devin Harris and his decision to enter the NBA draft after his junior year. With Harris, it looked as if the Badgers could compete for a national championship, but without him, the team appeared destined to slip into mediocrity.
Yet life went on for the Badgers, as they were forced to compensate for the 19.5 points per game and 36.3 minutes per night that Harris was taking with him to the Dallas Mavericks. The combination of Penn State senior transfer Shariff Chambliss and junior point guard Boo Wade were to continue the tradition of superior backcourts under head coach Bo Ryan.
Neither player's future unraveled as anticipated.
Chambliss was slowed during the first few months of the season by his surgically repaired right knee, and Wade contributed a total of nine minutes this season before he removed himself from the university permanently, citing personal reasons stemming from the death of his grandparents.
The Badgers were left with Clayton Hanson, a senior walk-on, and sophomore Kammron Taylor, who played a total of 41 minutes in his freshman campaign, to lead the Badger backcourt. The trial by fire has been a learning process for both players as they gain more each time they set on the court together.
\Yeah, going into the season, we couldn't get around the Devin questions,"" said Hanson, who is shooting 43.3 percent from three-point range this year. ""I think we have been trying to fill that comfort level all season long and keep improving because we are still not where we want to be yet.""
As the season progressed, Chambliss slowly regained the power in his leg and began adjusting to the switch from shooting guard to point guard. Additionally, Taylor and Hanson learned from their extra minutes, and accepted a more substantial role within the team. Wisconsin also got production out of freshman Michael Flowers, whose defensive energy off the bench has increased his minutes down the stretch. He played a bench-high 15 minutes in Tuesday's win over Indiana.
However, as one Badger leader exited Madison, another took his place, as senior forward Mike Wilkinson asserted himself as the leader early on. Clearly more vocal during practices than games, Wilkinson has been the foundation for a team searching for an identity all season.
""Mike is a great player, and I have learned so much from him,"" said highly-touted Badger freshmen center Greg Stiemsma. ""Just going up against him every day in practice is really a blessing for me.""
Wilkinson is second on the team in scoring at 14.8 points per game. while averaging a team high 7.3 rebounds per game. He, along with a trio of guards from Illinois, will be the favorites to take home the Big Ten Player of the Year honors at the conclusion of this season.
While many things have changed for this year's group, many things have stayed the same. Last year's team went 15-0 at the Kohl Center, though were a mediocre 5-6 outside of Madison. Last year's team also posted a 25-7 record.
This year's group is almost identical. They have dropped only one home game to top ranked and undefeated Illinois, but have already lost six games on the road and have a 19-7 record heading into Saturday's home game against Purdue.
""I don't know if it's one single problem, but the positive is that we have learned something from each of those games,"" Hanson said about their trouble on the road.
It appears they have learned something with each loss-the Badgers have not dropped consecutive games all season.
This season has also provided Badger fans with some lasting memories. Tuesday's dramatic win against Indiana on a put back by junior forward Alando Tucker, along with the home win against Michigan State that improved Bo Ryan's record to 6-0 over Spartan head coach Tom Izzo will go down as two of the most memorable games this season.
The final chapter on this year's group of Badgers is still waiting to be written as the Big Ten tournament next weekend in Chicago and the NCCA tournament later this month offer the potential for this years group to shape their own legacy at UW.
A win over Purdue on Saturday would assure Wisconsin the No. 3 seed in the upcoming tournament and provide another chance to play No. 2 Michigan State and possibly No. 1 Illinois in the championship game.
""At this point in the season we are just trying to do everything we can in order to extend our season as long as we can,"" said Hanson who will play his final home game on Saturday. ""I know every guy on this team is excited about this month and what we can accomplish in the next few weeks.""
