Lee Sports Wisconsin columnist Jim Polzin answers reader questions each week in Open Jim and for this week's video response, he hits the court.
By my count, 56 live sporting events in a shade under 7 months. From #Badgers football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, to #Packers and #Brewers, to a day at the Ryder Cup, thanks for coming along on the ride. pic.twitter.com/q8GOK8AKyg
— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) March 21, 2022
People are also reading…
What is the story behind Mors entering the transfer portal?
— Paul Yochum'63 (@PaulYochum63) March 22, 2022
Why is Mors transferring
— Wayne Horman (@wayne_horman) March 22, 2022
With Mors in the transfer portal now, do the Badgers look to get another body from the transfer portal or go with the Forwards they have? Also, can Essegian be a guy who can play right away? We need shooters! Thanks Jim!!
— Lisa (@lmyarbro) March 22, 2022
Can we hit the transfer portal and find a “shooter” that can also play defense?
— Brian Suttie (@BigDaddySutt) March 22, 2022
Really need a pure shooter we can depend on, every other team seems to have at least one.
Recruiting/transfer portal…need some bigs, shooters and another Johnny Davis (ha)….where do we turn and will we have 4 scholarships open to give? Any non committed awesome seniors? Big splash in portal? Thoughts?
— aarondentz (@aarondentz) March 22, 2022
With Mors hitting the transfer portal, who are some big men in the portal the Badgers should go after to add roster depth to the front court? Also, if Bowman doesn’t return do they have enough talent with current guards to meet program expectations?
— Travis Hartman (@mrTacos375) March 22, 2022
The transfer portal is a growing part of college hoops roster creation. UW emphasizes developing “their” guys, but we had some modest additions via transfer last year. Does Johnny’s season increase the likelihood the Badgers land a top-tier transfer? The playing time is there!
— Joe Schmidlkofer (@joeschmidl32) March 22, 2022
What do think the coaching staff feels about the interplay of developing players v. the transfer portal? This program has been built on guys sticking around and growing...what happens to that with the ease/pressure to bring guys in?
— Slim Hickman (@SlimHickman) March 22, 2022
Hello. I see Mors is leaving, do you see anyone else entering the portal? Also, what do you think they need to get in order to remain in there usual spot of the top 4 in the B10?
— Sarge17 (@cubs0017) March 22, 2022
Any chance PBJ hits the portal and could He suitably replace Johnny if he’s healthy?
— Jordan Hirschfield (@JDHInsights) March 22, 2022
How's next yr looking??
— DJ (WarnerVentureCapital) (@Hasuess) March 22, 2022
Next years potential starting lineup and first two of the bench?
— Craig Culbertson (@CjcCraig) March 22, 2022
Where does the program go from here? Assuming Wahl is one of the leaders next year, who do you see stepping up to fill the shoes of Davison and Davis?
— Dennis Semrau (@DennisSemrau) March 22, 2022
If we attribute a lot of this year’s success to Johnny Davis, what signs are there to be optimistic that it wasn’t a one year blip?
— Kyle Rohde (@KyleRohde) March 22, 2022
For me, biggest question is who on this roster; or targets for this roster can take major roles with this offense? Who can make “the” shot? Who can take ball and get to basket when all momentum is against team? Where is outside shooting coming from?
— DRich (@drich318318) March 22, 2022
Any chance they start Carlson as a 3rd front liner next year instead of the typical 3 guard look?
— AJ (@al2k12) March 22, 2022
What red shirts and 22-23 commits should we start obsessing about now, before it’s too late?
— David Koller (@DavidBKoller) March 22, 2022
Conner Essegian. Please tell me he can shoot.
— Laura (@DieselAndMe) March 22, 2022
How can so many treat such a successful season as a failure? They ran into a phenomenal defense…pretty much end of story. Bucky was picked to go nowhere.
— Aaron Rodgers’s Man Bun (@rodgersmanbun) March 22, 2022
What song best describes the Badger basketball season? 😀
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) March 22, 2022
Don't Let it End. Styx.https://t.co/VBW5r0tsOG
— TakeTheLongWay (@FiveDecades) March 22, 2022
“Baby What A Big Surprise” Chicago
— Tim Young Eagle (@timyoungeagle) March 22, 2022
It Must Have Been Love - Roxette
— Scott Von Rueden (@vonny32) March 23, 2022
Did Iowa state defend the Badgers differently than what they scouted/planned/prepped for? Relate follow-up question, Why did it take 33 minutes for the Badgers to adjust and be able to run what they wanted?
— Jeff (@bluehighway15) March 22, 2022
Why does GG drop guys onto the bench with 3 fouls early in the second half when you have no other scoring options to replace them with? 0, 2 and Lindsey/Carlson were ignored by ISU and they doubled 1 and 34 every time.
— Jeff (@jeffgtown) March 22, 2022
What do you think is the biggest reason for the season long poor 3 point shooting and what do you think can be done to fix it?
— Tony (@TStrobe78) March 22, 2022
Can we quantify in some way why the swing offense seems to generate so many 3 point opportunities and yet at the same time the players are generally so unprepared or so unskilled that they can't cash in? Obviously there are ben brust and Koenig exceptions, but thyr not the norm
— El Cat (@MC23589) March 22, 2022
In a very physical game why didn’t Vogt get more minutes especially considering Crowls struggles?
— Eric Lowry (@EricL228) March 22, 2022
Under Bo, the Badgers used a different basketball (Sterling) than every other power conference school in the country. Under Gard, do the Badgers use during the regular season the same brand of basketball used in the NCAA tourney?
— dewey229 (@dewey229) March 22, 2022
How does Wisconsin replace the leadership and grittiness of Brad Davidson
— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) March 22, 2022
Any chance Wisconsin will hire Davison? Don't let him go, he is incredibly special.
— Kristi Conway-Powers (@NoodlesP29) March 22, 2022
What is Lorne Bowmans illness? What is our chances of him returning full strength?
— Kristi Conway-Powers (@NoodlesP29) March 22, 2022
What happened to J. Neath? He shot 42% from 3 at Wake. Q2 - will Lorne Bowman play again?
— badfan1 (@badfan1) March 22, 2022
Given the choice, whose season would you choose - Wisconsin (conf champs), Iowa (conf tourney champs), or Michigan (still alive)
— SMcNamara (@SmcinMN) March 22, 2022
Johnny should just stay around for another year. He'll get stronger tougher and develop the three. Can you affirm this line of thinking Jim? Please..
— jim slater (@jimslater10) March 22, 2022
The Badgers used to have a "Shooting Coach". I haven't taken the time to look at %s before and after that change but the numbers say the team as a whole may need a greater focus on shooting. Thoughts?
— GT Schutz (@GTSchutz) March 22, 2022
When Gard took over, I remember Bruesewitz saying that he felt the most prepared for a game when Gard did the scouting report as opposed to the other assistants. Which current asst has the rep of doing the best scouting reports?
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) March 22, 2022
Where does the Wisconsin Badgers football team rank in the Big Ten West this year? Should we expect them to be in the B10 championship?
— Ryan Bloom (@RBloom1012) March 22, 2022
How do the badgers look in spring football practice?
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) March 22, 2022
If the Packers sign MVS is he “WR1” worthy? #WisconsinsOtherTeam
— Andrew Miller (@heyapm) March 22, 2022
What the heck are the Packers going to do at WR?
— whitey (@Whiteywilhelm) March 22, 2022
Badgers fans sound off on Twitter after Wisconsin's season ends with NCAA Tournament loss to Iowa State
Fighting to the finish
Gave up 10 offensive rebounds, had no consistent offense and 17 turnovers. Badgers didn't play usual D. On the positive side, this team fought all-the-way. And so, the chip is still there for next season. So, Badgers, “keep a positive attitude and go finish the business.”
— Paul Yochum'63 (@PaulYochum63) March 21, 2022
Emotional ending
Exceeded pre-season expectations by a mile. Fell short of expectations had they been re-calibrated going into the Nebraska game. In the end, as gut-wrenching as the 2004 NCAA loss to Pitt in Milwaukee b/c one of the best players in #Badgers history likely played his last game.
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezGLF) March 21, 2022
Easier said than done
A frustrating way to end the year. Nothing seemed to work. But when the season started in October to have the Badgers in this position I would have been happy. Something about Milwaukee hosting Badger NCAA games is never easy.
— mike kerry (@BadgerMike) March 21, 2022
Shocking turn of events
Someday down the line, I'm looking forward to reading the book about what happened to Steven Crowl the past month or 2. From impact points to not being able to hit the rim & looking scared to shoot. #Badgers
— Robb Vogel (@RobbVogel) March 21, 2022
Avert your eyes
That might have been the worst college basketball game I've ever watched.
— Jeff Bruggink (@bru4pk) March 21, 2022
A numbers game
2/22 from 3. 29.8% from the field for the game. 16 turnovers and 14 field goals. No post play, again. Out hustled, again. No help from the bench. Chuky’s injury pretty much ended the game. Embarrassing way to end the season. Bitter taste after what had been a dream season.
— Tony (@TStrobe78) March 21, 2022
Hitting rock bottom
That’s the worst Badger performance I’ve seen in my 37 years of life. No other way to say it. Great year but my goodness was that bad.
— Andrew Zimdars (@andrew_zimdars) March 21, 2022
Giving it their all
This team stayed gritty to the end. They gave everything they had and gave us a great season.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) March 21, 2022
They also bricked enough 3s to rebuild the Bradley Center.
Enjoy the ride
I am too sad to say much other than. I am not a fickle fan. I loved this team and I hope to see Brad Davison as a Coach somewhere because wherever he coaches I am a fan. Thanks for helping me enjoy the season and get through a Wisconsin winter.
— Kristi Conway-Powers (@NoodlesP29) March 21, 2022
Spiraling down
Omigosh Jim. I’ve been pretty positive all season. That was abysmal. Chucky got hurt and it snowballed. I mean. I love Isaac Lindsey. But you put him in for the first time in 10 weeks?? Instead of hunkering down they looked desperate
— Rob (@finleyr27) March 21, 2022
Still too soon
— Corey Otis (@CoreyWOtis) March 21, 2022
Only a matter of time
The way this team overachieved all season, you just knew when the end came it would be because of their shortcomings were too much to overcome. #OnWisconsin
— Kevin (@dcbadger7) March 21, 2022
A sickening sight
— Brian Suttie (@BigDaddySutt) March 21, 2022
Or ANY team
That was just brutal. You won't beat many teams shooting less than 10% from 3, less than 30% overall, scoring 22 points in the entire second half.
— Joseph Britt (@Zathras3) March 21, 2022
Too much to overcome
1. Losing Chucky hurts. Good chance we win with him.
— Jon Bosworth (@BosworthJB) March 21, 2022
2. Iowa State wore us out.
3. Their offense had us running all over the place on defense.
4. Their pressure defense had us turning our backs to the basket. Turnovers. Few easy/good looks. Again…Chucky helps here.
Time warp
This game set basketball back 50 years.
— Jeff (@bluehighway15) March 21, 2022
Going out with a whimper
Worst loss of the year. Considering what was on the line. The Badgers year ended after they won the Big Ten. Tonight was abysmal. Too many fouls, turnovers, not hitting threes, bad passing. So very disappointing. Chucky's injury shook them up. It did not make them improve.
— Mary Korn Erickson (@sixtiesfan) March 21, 2022
A vicious cycle
Bottom right pic.twitter.com/ZR5Kcop3AP
— Andrew Leirmo (@AndrewLeirmo) March 21, 2022
Look on the bright side
Hard to understand all the negativity. Our Badgers gave us such a fun season. They over achieved. This game tonight was painful to watch. When Chucky got hurt the whole team floundered. It was such a physical game. Iowa St. played better than us.
— Paula McAllister (@mrsmcal) March 21, 2022
Stuck in the mud
Losing Hepburn was a huge deal, but way too many TO’s and horrific shooting. Would really like see Bucky get more athletic, way too much dribbling and standing around on offense.
— Joel Schneider (@joelschneider25) March 21, 2022
Keep it movin'
What an awful end to a great regular season
— chuckwestover (@chuckwestover) March 21, 2022
21 missed threes and 17 turnovers - you will beat almost nobody doing that
Our lack of depth came back to hurt us at the worst time
Very hard to watch
I hope Chucky heals up for next year
Spoiling a good thing
Just tough. This team was a joy to watch this year, over-performed given the roster youth and expectations coming into the year. They find a way to win this game if Chucky doesn't go down with an injury.
— Colin Harrison (@TheFromaster) March 21, 2022
Stopped dead in their tracks
Over the minute Hepburn was hurt. The lack of depth killed us today
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) March 21, 2022
Enough said
☹️
— Clara Boudette (@claraboudette) March 21, 2022
Value on full display
Didn’t realize the team depended on Chucky that much. They weren’t great this game with him on the floor, but they were absolutely lost offensively without him.
— Paul Whitt (@pwhitt) March 21, 2022
