Tag: Bo Ryan

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praises Wisconsin program after Bruins’ narrow win

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praises Badgers’ program after Tuesday’s win

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praised the Wisconsin basketball program following the Bruins’ 85-83 win over the Badgers on Tuesday.

Fueled by a career-best 22 points from 7-foot-3 bench center Aday Mara and 19 more points from bench guard Sebastian Mack, UCLA put a pin in the Badgers’ recent seven-game win streak. It was UCLA’s second consecutive victory, those pair of results following a recent four-game losing streak.

After the match, the longtime Cincinnati head coach offered some kind words for Wisconsin’s team and program.

“Wisconsin’s got a really good team,” Cronin told media after the win. “They roll out graduate senior [Steven] Crowl and sixth-year player [John] Tonje. I think John Blackwell was as good as any guard we’ve played against, and I knew watching it on film.”

Cronin also offered some insight into the Badgers’ structure and coaching strength. With the sport’s evolving NIL and the transfer portal landscape, Wisconsin has adjusted well to the ongoing shifts.

“I watched [Greg Gard] back with Coach [Bo] Ryan, and the way they do things, they’ve recruited guys like Blackwell that nobody knew who the hell they were for years, whether it was him or Nigel Hayes,” Cronin said. “It’ll be interesting in the portal era if they can develop players. They’re a team that has a lot of returning players and obviously Tonje was a great addition for them. They shot it well and are extremely well coached.”

Cronin also mentioned how well the Badgers stack up against some of the best in a loaded 18-team conference. In UCLA’s first season in the Big Ten, Cronin believes the Badgers are as talented as any team.

“They’re as good as anybody we’ve played or better,” Cronin said. “Size, talent coaching, veterans, point guard, big guys. They got a bench. They bring in guys like Gilmore off the bench, [Kamari] McGee. They bring in guys that are winners. I’m a big fan of their program and have been for a long time back to Coach Ryan.”

The Badgers now sit at 15-4 through 19 contests during the 2024-25 season. Their next game is slated for Jan. 26 at home against Nebraska.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard reaches significant milestone in win vs. Ohio State

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard reaches significant milestone in win vs. Ohio State

Wisconsin basketball head coach Greg Gard logged his 200th career win with the Badgers with a 70-68 win over Ohio State on Tuesday.

Roughly 10 years since Gard assumed head coaching responsibilities on Dec. 15, 2015, the Cobb, Wisconsin native officially reached the milestone in the team’s 14th win of the 2024-25 season. He becomes the fourth head coach in program history to reach the milestone, joining Doc Meanwell, Bud Foster and Bo Ryan.

Since taking over for Ryan, a 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and former mentor, Gard has led Wisconsin to six NCAA Tournament appearances and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022.

The long-time assistant also boasts the third-highest winning percentage (.645) in program history, trailing only Ryan (.737) and Meanwell (.712). With Tuesday’s win, he is now 106-72 (.596) against Big Ten opponents during his lengthy tenure as the program’s leader.

While Wisconsin’s recent postseason finishes have disappointed fans, the Badgers have become a model of consistency in college basketball. UW has won at least 20 games in six of Gard’s nine full seasons as head coach and is currently well on its way to its seventh such campaign.

Under Gard, UW has traditionally hung its head on team defense and a methodical half-court approach. This year, however, Wisconsin is averaging over 82 points and roughly 15 assists per game as one of the more effective offenses in college basketball.

Wisconsin recently approved of Gard’s contract extension through the 2029 season. One of the program’s greatest coaches will continue to add to his win total in Madison for years to come.

Wisconsin Badgers legend makes USA Basketball debut

Wisconsin basketball legend makes USA Basketball debut

Wisconsin basketball legend Frank Kaminsky made his USA Basketball debut with the 2024 USA men’s AmeriCup qualifying team on Friday night.

As a member of the starting lineup alongside David Stockton, Robert Covington, Paul Watson and Javonte Smart, Kaminsky registered 10 points, three assists and two steals in just over 15 minutes in his first taste of FIBA action.

Last November, Kaminsky was named to the 2024 squad, which boasts a combination of NBA, NBA G League and international talent. Kaminsky’s crew is one of three teams representing USA Basketball from February 2024 to February 2025 with hopes of qualifying for the AmeriCup tournament in 2025.

After averaging 8.9 points and 3.4 rebounds with Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade in the 2023-24 EuroLeague season, Kaminsky joined the Phoenix Suns training camp roster in late September. The Suns, however, waived Kaminsky on Oct. 12 ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.

The former UW star appeared in 26 games for the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets in 2022-23, logged three seasons with the Suns from 2019-22 and played four seasons with the Charlotte Hornets from 2015-19. In eight NBA seasons, Kaminsky has averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 43% shooting and 35% from 3.

The 7-footer was arguably college basketball’s most dominant player during his stint at UW. As a senior, he pocketed the 2015 National College Player of the Year award and was a consensus first-team All-American with the Badgers.

In the postseason, he was the go-to option on consecutive trips to the Final Four in 2014 and 2015.

Kaminsky’s next game for the red, white and blue is slated for Nov. 25 against the Bahamas in Washington, D.C.

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan immortalized in Kohl Center rafters

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan immortalized in Kohl Center rafters

This story was updated to change a photo.

For the first time, a Wisconsin coach has been immortalized in the Kohl Center rafters.

That is program legend Bo Ryan, who was honored with a ceremony at halftime of the Badgers’ matchup against the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Friday.

Ryan and the rest of Wisconsin’s 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams were honored as the 2024-25 team battled the Wildcats — a team that lost to Wisconsin during each of those Final Four runs.  The occasion was the 10-year anniversary of the first run, as well as Ryan being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Ryan’s name now hangs in the rafters alongside program legends Frank Kaminsky, Michael Finley and Ab Nicholas.

The banner only includes his name and his coaching tenure — both assistant and head coach. An expansion to include career honors, records and awards would stretch far past the allotted length.

Nov 15, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Former Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan (sport coat front) is shown with his family while being honored at halftime of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.Unranked Wisconsin upset Arizona 103-88. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Ryan’s Hall of Fame career includes a 394-157 overall record (364-130 at Wisconsin), three Big Ten tournament titles, four Big Ten regular season titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 seasons, four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and, as highlighted, those two Final Four runs in 2014 and 2015.

He was the driving force behind the most successful run in Wisconsin basketball history.

Wisconsin now returns for the second half looking to repeat Ryan’s success against the Wildcats. The Badgers built a 55-44 halftime lead in what was a high-flying opening period.

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Wisconsin basketball to honor program legend on Nov. 15 vs. Arizona

Wisconsin basketball to honor program legend on Nov. 15 vs. Arizona

Wisconsin basketball will honor recent Hall of Fame inductee Bo Ryan on Nov. 15 against the Arizona Wildcats at the Kohl Center.

The program, which will also celebrate members of its Final Four squads from 2014 and 2015, will raise a banner commemorating Ryan that will adorn the Kohl Center’s rafters forever.

It’s no coincidence that this dedication will arrive against the Wildcats. Ryan coached Frank Kaminsky and company to victories over Arizona in both 2014 and 2015. Both wins were a critical part of each team’s NCAA Tournament runs.

In early October, Ryan was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame alongside basketball legends including Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper and Walter Davis.

Ryan served as Wisconsin’s head coach for 15 seasons. By the time of his retirement in 2015, he had led UW to a a 364-130 overall record, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and one national championship game during his time manning the sidelines.

Before his time in Madison, Ryan led the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to four NCAA Division III Tournament titles in 1991, 1995, 1998 and 1999. He is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s storied history.

PHOTOS: Wisconsin basketball legend Bo Ryan through the years

A look at Bo Ryan’s career with the Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin basketball legend Bo Ryan was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

The longtime Badger coach received his induction back in April. Sunday’s event made his enshrinement official, as he and the rest of the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2024 received their jackets and were immortalized among the sport’s all-time greats. Other members of that class include NBA greats Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups and Walter Davis.

“I’m still pinching myself,” the Wisconsin Badgers legend said before the ceremony. “When I got the word, all the memories, all the players, all the camaraderie of the teams that were cohesive…those are the things that flashed into my head. Boy, do I have a lot of people to thank.”

Here is a clip from Ryan’s speech, specifically about his players and program at Wisconsin:

Ryan coached for the Badgers from 2001-2015. His Hall of Fame tenure with the program included four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards (2002, 2003, 2013, 2015), four Big Ten titles, two Final Four appearances and a final record of 364-130.

To say that there are Wisconsin program ‘greats’ discounts Ryan’s substantial individual impact and importance. He is the embodiment of Wisconsin basketball and is a significant reason the program is where it is today.

As Ryan’s coaching career is celebrated by the basketball world, here is a look at his time at Wisconsin, through photos:

Wisconsin legend officially enshrined into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Wisconsin legend officially enshrined into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan was officially enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Ryan, who coached for the Badgers’ men’s basketball program from 2001-15, was among 13 basketball luminaries to represent the Hall of Fame’s class of ’24. 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, 22-year NBA veteran Vince Carter, five-time NBA champion Michael Cooper and 1978 NBA Rookie of the Year Walter Davis were among the legends recognized. 

Ryan first received word of his place on the ballot as a finalist on April 6. Roughly seven months later, the moment he’d been waiting for came to fruition.

“I’m still pinching myself,” Ryan told NCAA reporter Andy Katz on Sunday. “When I got the word, all the memories, all the players, all the camaraderie of the teams that were cohesive… those are the things that flashed into my head. Boy, do I have a lot of people to thank.”

The Badger legend retired from manning the sidelines in 2015 after serving as head coach for 15 years in Madison. He captained UW to a a 364-130 overall record, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and one national championship game during his tenure.

Oct 13, 2024; Uncasville, Conn, USA; Class of 2024 inductee Bo Ryan speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Symphony Hall Springfield. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Ryan was a four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2002, 2003, 2013, 2015) and established Wisconsin as one of the NCAA’s most respected programs across the nation. He was also inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Former Wisconsin basketball great announces return to UW-Madison

Former Wisconsin basketball great announces return to UW-Madison

Former Wisconsin basketball great Sam Dekker announced via X on Monday that he has returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to finish his degree.

Dekker, one of the program’s most decorated alumni, departed the university in 2015 after three years on the hardwood to pursue NBA aspirations. By doing so a year early, he left campus without a degree.

After being selected with the No. 18 pick of the 2015 NBA draft, the Wisconsin native played 201 games across five NBA seasons for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors from 2015-22.

Stints overseas with the VTB United League in Russia (2019-2020) and the Turkish Basketball Super League in Turkey (2020-2021, 2021-2022) followed.

The 6-foot-9 forward stars for the British Basketball League’s London Lions. As its offensive engine, Dekker helped the Lions capture the 2023 British Basketball League Cup championship and pocketed both league and finals MVP honors in the process. He registered 18.2 points, 5.6 rebounds off 53% clip from the field in nearly 21 minutes per appearance across the pond in ’23.

Nonetheless, Dekker’s NBA endeavors have yet to fade. This summer, the 2015 All-Big Ten second-team selection tried out for the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.

With a portfolio of postseason success at Wisconsin and professional exposure thousands of miles away, Dekker can provide a veteran spark plug presence in an NBA locker room next season. However, with responsibilities in the classroom, the NBA could serve as a distraction from future homework assignments.

Now at age 30, Dekker plans to wrap up his education at one of the United States’ most recognized public universities.

Wisconsin basketball lands among KenPom’s top 12 programs since 2015

Wisconsin basketball lands among KenPom’s top 12 programs since 2015

Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program has personified consistency in college hoops. Its average KenPom finish of 29.8 ranks No. 12 in the nation, behind prestigious programs including Gonzaga, Kansas, Duke, Purdue, Villanova, North Carolina and Michigan State.

Following the departure of infamous Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan in 2015, former assistant coach Greg Gard ignited his tenure as UW’s leader on the sidelines.

Since then, Gard has captained the Badgers to six 20-plus-win seasons in eight years and two Big Ten regular season titles in 2020 and 2022. Wisconsin has clinched six NCAA Tournaments births and reached the Sweet Sixteen in both 2016 and 2017.

Under Gard, UW has amassed an overall mark of 186-107, plus five of the top 19 winningest seasons in program history.

Wisconsin has also witnessed three of its athletes earn prestigious conference honors during their tenure.

Future Euroleage superstar Nigel Hayes earned a first-team All-Big Ten nod in 2016 before big man Ethan Happ received first-team All-Big Ten nods in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Future Washington Wizard Johnny Davis was a consensus All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten in 2022.

Despite the headlines and hubbub, deep postseason success has yet to follow UW’s 2017 finish in the Big Dance. The program has not reached the Sweet Sixteen since Gard’s second season as head coach and failed to make the NCAA Tournament entirely in 2018 and 2023.

With the addition of three top transfers, Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos, ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Wisconsin will look to right the ship and return to its place alongside college basketball’s best.

Wisconsin approves contract extension for men’s basketball head coach Greg Gard

Wisconsin approves contract extension for men’s basketball head coach Greg Gard

The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board approved a contract extension for men’s basketball head coach Greg Gard on Friday.

The extension is a procedural move and was done for all of the organization’s winter coaches. It extends Gard’s contract through May 31, 2029. He remains one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport.

Related: An updated look at Wisconsin basketball’s 2024-25 roster after Chucky Hepburn’s departure

Gard will enter his 10th season manning the sidelines for the Badgers during the 2024-2025 campaign. Since taking over for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Bo Ryan, Gard has led Wisconsin to six NCAA Tournament appearances and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022.

Wisconsin Athletic Director Chris McIntosh previously expressed a vote of confidence in Gard after the conclusion of the team’s 2023-24 season.

The Cobb, Wisconsin native boasts the third-highest winning percentage (.635) in program history, trailing only the aforementioned Ryan (.737) and Walter Meanwell (.712).

The Badgers has experienced a seismic shift in personnel over the past few weeks. Chucky Hepburn, AJ Storr, Tyler Wahl and Conor Essegian are among eight Badgers to depart Madison via graduation or the transfer portal.

Gard is firmly in place to guide the program through a turbulent offseason.

Alongside Gard, the UW Athletic Board approved the extensions of five other winter head coaches — Marisa Moseley (women’s basketball), Yuri Suguiyama (swimming and diving), Mike Hastings (men’s hockey), Mark Johnson (women’s hockey) and Chris Bono (wrestling).

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