Wisconsin Basketball: 5 early 2018-19 season observations

2. Everything runs through Ethan Happ.

Considering how deliberate Wisconsin is on both ends of the floor, they need a superstar to work around. In senior big man Ethan Happ, a preseason All-American, the Badgers have just that. An elite all-around player who is almost always the best player on the court, Happ is a nightmare for opponents to face on either end of the court.

And while Happ seemingly cannot score outside of five feet, he is the best offensive post player in the entire country and I’m not sure there is anyone in the same stratosphere. With impeccable footwork, Happ can make defenders look like ballerinas in the paint as he finishes with either hand around the rim. He is currently averaging 18.0 points per game. And while Happ’s inside scoring makes him an incredibly dangerous player, his passing takes him to the next level.

Quite simply, Happ cannot be guarded by just one player in the paint. A double-team is absolutely necessary to slow him down and that is when Happ can beat teams with his vision and creativity. An outstanding playmaker, Happ almost never misses an opportunity to find an open shooter or cutter once the double-team gets to him. His 5.3 assists per game leads the team and is third in the Big Ten. Because of his abilities to score himself and create for others so effectively, every single possession needs to run through the senior big man.