Bo Ryan is the standard when it comes to Wisconsin sports. He must be hard to emulate but at least try to get close?
Former Badgers basketball star and NBA player Sam Dekker is among those who felt devastated after Wisconsin lost to their rivals Minnesota Golden Gophers in the most embarrassing fashion. Badgers made just 166 yards gain in the game, their lowest this season, en route to a 7-24 beating.
Ryan coached Badgers basketball from 2001 to 2015 and won three Big Ten tournaments and bagged four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards.
Football and basketball may be different from each other but Wisconsin fans take pride in the fact that both college teams are competitive. Until now.
Commenting on an X post by another Badgers fans about how the the Badgers football is going to be trophy-less this season, Dekker connected the its new era to the old one managed by Ryan because of the lack of tradition.
“I think the “New Era Badgers Football” strayed a bit too far from badger football tradition. It sadly doesn’t even move the needle to tune in,” wrote Dekker who is reportedly trying to get back to the NBA.
The tradition he could be talking about, aside from winning, is the energy on the gridiron and connection with fans.
Sam Dekker stands by his take on Badgers football
Another user defended the current Badgers team saying the time from Ryan’s era is different today, especially on the part about recruitment.
She 053019 Sheboygan South Senior Sig01ning Day Gck
Dekker acknowledged the take but responded:
Bo Ryan won the Big Ten in his 1st, 2nd and 3rd seasons at Wisconsin. Third year was B1G tourney but point stands. You know how insane that is???? In-game coaching MATTERS. I don’t think there is any coach that got more out of his rosters than Bo, so comparison is hard but still. https://t.co/TZG4E4yvkV
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) November 29, 2024
Dekker is a darling in Milwaukee for his three seasons for the Wisconsin basketball team which he lead to a first-runner up finish in 2012 in NCAA before losing to Duke during his junior year.
In 2012 during his college rookie season, he was named the Wisconsin Mr. Basketball.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
