With the Wisconsin Badgers at 2-0 on the year, there are a lot of questions about what this team will be. However, there are a lot of positives early on. I recently spoke with Abby Schnable of the Wisconsin State Journal to preview the season. Abby is in her second year as a Badger Basketball beat writer and follows the team daily. She’s been in attendance at practice and has gotten to know some of the players on this team. Here is our conversation about the Badgers this season.
You can follow Abby Schnable on Twitter @AbbySchnable!
How was your overall experience in your first year covering Badger basketball?
AS: I had such a surreal experience my first season [covering Badger Basketball for Wisconsin State Journal]. I truly didn’t expect to get to cover a Power 5 team straight out of college so just getting the job, in general, was exciting. I couldn’t have imagined what was in store for me. I remember talking with people early in the season about the team and had set my expectations low. Obviously, they did a lot better than anyone could have expected which made for such a fun team to cover.
I remember sitting at the Houston game just in shock at the team I was covering. Each day brought something more. I got to cover a win over the best team in the league, a loss to the worst team. I saw the two top players in the league go head-to-head. The team was so fun to cover not only on the court but off the court. I got to tell so many personal stories and I don’t think I expected the players to open themselves up to me so quickly. That’s my favorite part of the job — getting to know the players and telling their stories. I had so many to tell and no day was boring. I’m stoked for whatever is to come in year two.
Who are some Badger Basketball players that have stood out in practice and the Red-White scrimmage a few weeks ago?
AS: One player that has stood out every single time I’ve watched him is Max Klesmit. I didn’t know what UW was getting when he transferred in but he has lived up to any expectations I had. He’s got passion that is noticeable in everything he does. He’s not afraid to get physical and dive for the ball. Klesmit’s shot is also solid. He’s got defense and offense down.
I’ve also been very impressed with Carter Gilmore. He essentially was told in the offseason he’d be expected to play center responsibilities and has adapted very well. He’s more confident. He does the little things so well and he’s working a lot on his shot. Obviously Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl have been fantastic [for Badger Basketball] — minus Hepburn’s 1-for-9 in the exhibition. This team has a lot of great pieces.
Who is a young player Badger fans can expect the play a large role this season?
AS: Connor Essegian. I got the opportunity to spend two days with him in the offseason to learn more about him. He’s such a nice guy and I respect the hell of of him as a person. Then seeing him on the court and in practice I was even more amazed. He’s very aware of what he’s good at and is pushing to get better at the weaknesses. I’ve been impressed with his growth from the first day of practice until now. He’s hungry and I think you’ll see him on the court a lot [for Badger Basketball].
How many players do you see cracking the Badger Basketball rotation?
AS: 10 consistently, but 12 on certain nights. It won’t be the same 10 every night though. It’s going to come down to matchups. I think Hepburn, Wahl, Davis, Crowl and Klesmit will play every night. Gilmore is your sixth man — he can come in for both Wahl and Crowl. I think you see Neath often and he may even replace Davis in the lineup some nights. McGee is the go-to backup point guard. Then I think it’ll depend on the day for Essegian, Ilver, Lindsey and Hodges with Essegian playing more than the other three. I think things will settle in more as the season but this team says one of their biggest strengths is its depth. There are lots of pieces that do a lot of different things.
Do you think the pre-season poll ranking of ninth is accurate or could we this team turn heads again?
AS: Nope. I picked them seventh and I think even that might be too low. There are so many unknowns in the Big Ten this season and [Badger Basketball] returns three of its starting five. Only Indiana and Northwestern return more. You know what you’re getting from UW. You don’t know what these new guys do across the league. If UW can consistently score — probably led by Hepburn and Wahl — they’re in a good place.
Who do you think could be this year’s X-Factor for Badger Basketball?
AS: So I think the safe answers are Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn. Both need to take a step up on the scoring front. Both are fantastic defenders. I want it to be Steven Crowl but I’m not sure how he’s able to matchup against the bigs across the leagues. He’s a very consistent player which helps balance the rollercoaster of a [Badger Basketball] season. I think it’s going to come down to Wahl though. So many of the Big Ten is going to be about how teams are able to respond to the powerhouse players. Wahl defended some of the best (Keegan Murray) and scored over some of the best (Zach Edey). I think he needs to be more consistent in his own scoring and shut down those guys. Chucky Hepburn won’t be matched up against the Hunter Dickinsons of the league. Tyler Wahl will.
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