INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 19-13; 11-5 in Big Ten (Tied 1st) Postseason: Lost to Maryland 87-57 in second round of NCAA East Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Penny 13.6 Rebs: Wilkinson 4.2 Assists: Harris 1.8 FG: Penny 51.1% 3pt: Penny 46.9% FT: Harris 77.7% 01-02 Stats: Wisconsin | Big Ten KEY LOSSES Travon Davis | 7.8 ppg Charlie Wills | 10.2 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Freddie Owens | Junior G | Devin Harris | Soph G | Kirk Penney | Senior F | Mike Wilkinson | Soph C | Dave Mader | Junior Player to Watch Kirk Penney Senior Guard Out pick for Big Ten POY showed why on New Zealand national club. DATE TO REMEMBER Dec. 14 The annual game with Marquette was always a rivalry game, but it's a little more intense now that both teams are much better than in the mid-90s. It's a rivalry that's become even more intense of late as the two programs have also been battling for recruits. .

 

WISCONSIN BADGERS

Can the Badgers style continue to work? Wisconsin doesn't have the best athletes in the Big Ten. The Badgers aren't the biggest or strongest or fastest, but that hasn't mattered of late. A look at the Badgers roster doesn't make one immediately say, "Yep, this is the team that's going to win the Big Ten." But over the last three years, no conference team has gotten more out of its talent than Wisconsin. Much of Wisconsin's success has stemmed from great defense. Teams playing the Badgers know every possession is going to be difficult. Only two Big Ten teams scored 70 points in a game against Wisconsin. And with the Badgers keeping the score down, the Badgers are in virtually every game. While Wisconsin is the blue collar team of the conference, the talent level - especially on offense - has increased in recent years. Kirk Penney is as good of a shooter as any player in the conference and under second-year coach Bo Ryan, he's become more of a complete player and more dangerous in the process. Up front, sophomore forward Mike Wilkinson is one of the better young big men in the league. Senior center Dave Mader, while not flashy, has showed continued improvement.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
Penney isn't the same player he was just two seasons ago. Instead of being nothing more than a long-range gunner with a funky New Zealand accent, he's become a complete player. He guards people and he uses his 6-5 frame to create mismatches against smaller defenders. In addition, his experience playing in the 2000 Olympics and 2002 World Championships makes Penney the most experienced player in the Big Ten.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Devin Harris was solid as a true freshman, averaging 12.3 points per game as a shooting guard/small forward. But now he has a different challenge - having to run the point. Travon Davis wasn't flashy a year ago, but he was a steady point guard who made a lot of good decisions. Now Harris has to replicate that.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
The Badgers reached the Final Four in 2000, won 18 games in 2001 despite having coaching uncertainty after the retirement of Dick Bennett and then tied for the league title a year ago. Because of that, it's hard to believe that the Badgers won't be a top three team in the Big Ten.