Wisconsin Badgers Top 5 Seasons under Bo Ryan

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Dec 6, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Wisconsin won 49-38. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers, 2011-12

The 2011-12 team tops off the Top 5 teams under Coach Bo Ryan. Ranking #1 in points allowed per game at 53 the Badgers owned their opponents on the defensive end. All five starters finished the year with over 25 steals and Jared Berggren was a beast on defense recording 60 blocks that created offensive opportunities.

Thanks to the more than difficult schedule and grueling conference the Badgers were unable to set any records or win 30 games but going 26-10 (12-6) in a conference with Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa all climbing into the top 25 at some point is pretty impressive.

For Ryan and his squad it never mattered how hard the schedule or how tough the opponent. Bo Ryan’s plan was always the same: don’t waste possessions and make it as difficult for them to score as possible. The Badgers controlled the pace in 2012 better than any other Wisconsin team under Bo Ryan. Leading the nation in total defense isn’t an easy feat and the offense at times couldn’t pick up the slack or else this could have been one of the most dominating teams in NCAA history.

Instead, freshmen Frank Kaminsky and Traevon Jackson learned unselfish basketball from senior leader Jordan Taylor, these lessons would ultimately help lead them to two straight Final 4 runs.

The 2011-12 team did it without any 20 point scorers or “one-and-dones” but Bo Ryan helped his team do exactly what they always have done.

Win basketball games.

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