Wisconsin Badgers Top 5 Seasons under Bo Ryan

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan watches game action against Arizona Wildcats during the first half in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers, 2013-14

On paper, this version of the Badgers appears almost identical to the 2015 runner-up team we already mentioned. Once again it was Kaminsky, Dekker, and Jackson that led this team to its first Final 4 under head coach Bo Ryan.

While we remember their tournament run, we forget that this team had it’s struggles. Defense is the way of life for the Badgers and they lacked consistency throughout the year failing to finish among the top defenses in the league. Allowing 64 points per game ranking them 40th in the Nation.

What they didn’t do well they made up with good coaching. Ryan taught this group to play as a team. No one averaged more than 13 points per game and they ranked 7th fewest in turnovers. Throughout the season the Badgers didn’t jump out at you or intimidate their opponents, they slowly but surely dominated them by controlling the ball on each and every one of their possessions. They played trademark Bo Ball.

Perhaps undervalued and under appreciated they finished the season ranked #12 in the AP poll however, this Badger team showed their poise and resilience after losing 5 of 6 games early in conference play by bouncing back and only losing two more games before coming just one shot away from making the National Title Game. They earned their spots on the big stage together as a team, landing them the #4 spot in the Final polls.

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