NCAA Tournament 2000 - Wisconsin playbook: Badger block party

Wisconsin playbook: Badger block party
From Coach's Edge

The Wisconsin Badgers head to the Final Four for the first time since 1941. The eighth-seeded Badgers shocked the West Region to earn another game against Michigan State.

In Vince Lombardi fashion, coach Dick Bennett has created a game plan similar to the Packers of old. Their team is built around rugged, hard-nosed defense, while their offense utilizes 'blockers' and 'movers.' The Badgers set countless screens with the blockers, getting open shots for the movers. To be successful in Indy, the Badgers will need a Super Bowl effort against Michigan State.

ANIMATE THIS PLAY DIAGRAM WITH SHOCKWAVE
(A) Mark Vershaw (50) leads the Badgers in scoring and is the prime beneficiary of the blockers. Andy Kowske (15) and Maurice Linton (5), the blockers, start the action by setting down screens.
(B) The movers, Vershaw (50) and Jon Bryant (10), use the screens to move toward the perimeter. Point guard Mike Kelley (22) passes to Vershaw and cuts through the lane to the opposite corner. Vershaw makes a pass to the open Bryant.

(C) This is where the Badgers show their offensive patience. Bryant (10) passes to Kelley (22) in the corner and looks to screen. Sitting on the right wing, Vershaw (50) runs through a series of blockers to get open at the top of the key for a Kelley pass.
(D) Vershaw (50) has a wide open look for the 3-pointer.


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