NEXT MAN UP
UW has big shoes to fill after departure of four key seniors
NEW YORK - Ethan Happ sat in a chair in the Wisconsin locker room, mostly motionless, and answered question after question about UW’s season-ending loss and about the future of the program.
The 84-83 overtime loss to Florida on Friday night appeared to leave Happ drained physically and emotionally.
Asked whether he will be ready to help lead a UW team that next season must replace four seniors who combined for 115 victories, Happ perked up.
“I definitely think mentally I am ready for the challenge,” the redshirt sophomore said. “Watching these four seniors do it, it is definitely a challenge. I think I am prepared for it. Watching these four guys do it so well has prepared me.”
The challenges for UW coach Greg Gard and his staff are obvious because the four departing seniors — Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig, Zak Showalter and Vitto Brown — contributed on and off the
“I think I am prepared for it. Watching these four guys do it so well has prepared me.” ETHAN HAPP, ON HELPING LEAD UW NEXT SEASON
court.
UW reached back-to-back Final Fours and then went to the Sweet 16 in each of the last two seasons.
UW’s NCAA Tournament record in the last four seasons was 13-4.
“I can’t thank those guys enough for their time and dedication and commitment that they have made to our university and our program,” Gard said. “This is a tough way for them to go out.”
Happ, who averaged 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, will have to anchor a front line that is laden with uncertainty.
The staff loves Aleem Ford, who will be a redshirt freshman. The 6-foot-8, 208-pounder
is long and should be able to score from inside and out.
“He hasn’t wasted this year at all,” UW assistant Howard Moore said. “This has been a very good year for him. And obviously redshirting has been a very good catalyst for us as a program to allow young guys to find themselves in that year.”
Alex Illikainen, Charlie Thomas and Andy Van Vliet, each of whom played sparingly this season and will be juniors, must improve significantly this off-season.
“Just be confident,” Moore said when asked about that trio. “Obviously, you’ve got to put in the time and work. They’ve been doing that. But when you start looking around the locker room and you realize you are one of the older guys in here … that is when you start realizing it is time to step up.
“They’ve been in this program. They understand the expectations. They understand the responsibility.”
Incoming freshman Nathan Reuvers is a skilled big man who must add weight and strength, but his ability to shoot from the perimeter could help space the floor and give Happ room on the inside.
Former UW coach Bo Ryan refused to look at adding graduate transfers. Gard is more flexible and the 2017-’18 roster may not be set just yet.
The battle for playing time at the guard positions could be fierce.
D’Mitrik Trice, who played in all 37 games as a freshman, appears to be Koenig’s replacement. He made time this season to begin talking to other young players and emphasizing the importance of the upcoming off-season.
“With these four guys gone there are going to be a lot of roles to fill,” Trice said. “And right now I am talking to some of the guys that aren’t playing as much but will definitely play next season and telling them to be ready.
“I am just setting that leadership role now so it propels us through the summer.”
Jordan Hill, who will be a fifth-year senior and is a terrific defender, should be in the mix. Brevin Pritzl, who will be a redshirt sophomore, will benefit from another off-season of work. Khalil Iverson said after the loss to Florida he was determined to work on every part of his game. Iverson has the ability to be a low-post scorer against other guards and small forwards.
Don’t count out incoming freshmen Brad Davison and Kobe King. Both are mature players. Davison is a toughminded leader who can play either guard spot. King led La Crosse Central to a WIAA state title in his final season and was named Mr. Basketball in the state. He is an explosive athlete who can score from inside and out and isn’t afraid to defend.
Next season UW will be attempting to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the 20th consecutive season.
With such significant roster turnover, the odds appear to be stacked against UW.
Koenig insisted the program will not fall off.
“They’ve just got to carry the torch, like everyone before us,” he said. “They set the example of what to do and how to do it every single day. It is a 12month process.
“That is what this program is all about.” Moore concurred. “If you have young people who know they have to step up and you have a strong class coming in that has that mindset as well,” Moore said, “then you can really build something special.
“I think the torch is going to be in good hands.”