Tag: Sam Dekker

On This Date: Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig nails buzzer-beating to push Badgers into Sweet 16

Favorite Wisconsin March Madness memory?

In just two days, Greg Gard’s No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers will look to generate some magic against No. 12 James Madison in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Ahead of its 27th tournament appearance in program history, Wisconsin has experienced its share of electricity during March Madness. Whether it be Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker leading the charge in 2015 or the unexpected Final Four appearance under head coach Dick Bennett in 2000, the Badgers have traditionally known what it takes to win.

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Perhaps the most memorable late-game tournament moment arrived on this day eight years ago when Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig nailed a buzzer-beater to lift the No. 7-seed Badgers over No. 2 Xavier. The corner snipe clinched the Badgers’ spot in the Sweet Sixteen — a round the program hasn’t reached since 2017.

Wisconsin found itself trailing Xavier by nine points with just under six minutes to spare in the contest. The Badgers would go on to tie the game at 63  after a quick run led by Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and Jordan Hill. 

Then, with the game tied and two seconds remaining, Greg Gard called an inbounds play to Koenig in the corner. The rest is history.

Former Wisconsin MBB coach honored Wednesday

After what felt like far too long, former Badgers men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan is set to be honored Wednesday in Madison.

After what felt like far too long, former Badgers men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan is set to be honored Wednesday in Madison. Ryan along with multi-sport athlete Gary Buss will be inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame Club.

Ryan was the head coach at Wisconsin for 14 full seasons (12 games in 2015) and produced 364-130 overall record, which is good for an all-time program best 73.7 percent win percentage. Additionally, Wisconsin made the NCAA Tournament in all 14 of the campaigns he was the head coach.

Most notably, the Badgers made two consecutive trips to the Final Four in 2014 and 2015, losing in the National Championship to Duke 68-63 in the latter run.

Ryan helped coach some of the best players in program history, namely Alando Tucker, Devin Harris, Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker amongst others. There’s no denying that he left a substantial impact on the program, the university, the city of Madison and the state of Wisconsin as a whole.

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Badgers MBB highlights former athletes with great seasons in the BBL

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball players Sam Dekker and Jordan Taylor just completed a championship winning season with London in the BBL.

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball players Sam Dekker and Jordan Taylor just completed a championship winning season with the London Lions in the British Basketball League.

Dekker (2012-2015) was a member of the Badgers’ teams that made back-to-back appearances in the Final Four in 2014 and 2015, operating as five-star recruit from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Taylor (2008-2012) recorded 464 assists during his career with the Badgers, finishing second in school history with that figure while his 13.0 offensive win shares is the most by a Badger.

In a great season with the Lions, Dekker averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists while playing in 21 games during the BBL regular season, earning the league’s Player of the Year award.

When it came to the playoffs, Jordan Taylor was the former Badger who took a step up, putting up 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the BBL Championship. The performance earned him Finals MVP.

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After MVP season, Sam Dekker earns contract extension in British Basketball League

After MVP season, Sam Dekker earns contract extension in British Basketball League

Sam Dekker recently earned MVP honors in the British Basketball League as his London Lions finished the regular season 32-4.

The Wisconsin native averaged 17.1 points per game in league play and more than 18 points per game in EuroCup play. He joined the Lions this past summer after having played more than 200 NBA games across the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards.

After his MVP campaign, Dekker earned a multiyear contract extension with the team and will remain in London.

“Sam has been an integral piece to the organization, both on and off the court,” London Lions general manager Brett Burman said team press release. “He showed extreme efficiency this season as a versatile scoring wing, a guy who can get to his spots and dictate the flow of the game. We’re thrilled to have Sam, Olivia, and their family as long-term members of the club and the London community.”

 

Former Wisconsin Badger Sam Dekker wins British Basketball Player of the Year

Former Wisconsin Badger Sam Dekker wins British Basketball Player of the Year

Former Wisconsin Badger star Sam Dekker took home the British Basketball League Player of the Year award on Friday. The Lions won the regular-season title by going 32-4 in league play, and Dekker was an integral part of their success.

The Wisconsin native averaged 17.1 points per game in league play and more than 18 points per game in EuroCup play. He joined the Lions this past summer after having played over 200 NBA games across the Rockets, Clippers, and Wizards.

He was noted as one of the biggest signings in the league’s history at the time, and has certainly lived up to expectations as the Player of the Year in 2022-23.

Watch: Top Wisconsin wide receiver joins Sam Dekker’s podcast

Chimere Dike, the Badgers leading receiver from 2022, joined Sam Dekker’s “Varsity Beat” podcast to talk about his passion for Wisconsin.

Chimere Dike, the Badgers leading receiver from 2022, joined Sam Dekker’s “Varsity Beat” podcast on Thursday to talk about his long-standing passion for Wisconsin. The Waukesha native explained how he’s always been a Badger fan since he can remember.

Dike produced a team-high 689 receiving yards and six touchdown catches last season and he will look to improve upon that in 2023. Now under a new head coach in Luke Fickell (Cincinnati) and a new offensive coordinator Phil Longo (North Carolina), the wide receiver and SMU transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai are expected to lead the passing attack.

It’s always great to have an athlete like Dike in a leadership role considering his deep admiration for the university and its athletic programs.

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Sam Dekker and Jordan Taylor win British Basketball League title

Sam Dekker and Jordan Taylor win British Basketball League title

A pair of former Badgers became league champions this weekend when the London Lions took home the British Basketball League title.

Sam Dekker and Jordan Taylor are members of the Lions team that clinched the title with six games remaining in the regular season. Dekker is the leading scorer, averaging 17.6 points per game. Taylor leads the team in assists per game, averaging 5.3.

Wisconsin basketball showed love to the two former Badgers as they clinched the championship on Saturday. Through 30 games, the Lions are 27-3. No other team in the league has more than 21 wins.

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Sam Dekker gives his opinion on Wisconsin basketball’s 2022-23 season

Sam Dekker gives his opinion on Wisconsin basketball’s 2022-23 season

One of Wisconsin’s all-time greats recently gave his opinion on the Badgers’ 2022-23 basketball season.

It was a year that didn’t go how any Badger wanted it to: Wisconsin fell short of an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Dekker spoke to Betway about the season and how Wisconsin should move forward.

“I think experience in a rare down year may be the wake-up call the program needs,” Dekker told Betway.

“It hopefully lights a fire in the players that do not want to have this feeling again. The transfer portal can certainly be an asset here in bringing some experience. I think Wisconsin should be a destination for a lot of talent. A lot of guys should want to play at Wisconsin. It’s an amazing city and an amazing program with a winning identity and a winning culture.”

Wisconsin men’s basketball all-time roster: Badger Legends

A look at the best Wisconsin Badger basketball players of all-time

Over the past few decades, Wisconsin basketball has been one of the most successful programs in the nation.

The Badgers have had greats at all five positions, a legendary head coach in Bo Ryan, and a trio of Final Four appearances since 2000.

We put together Wisconsin’s all-time starting five, backup five, and coaching staff to put the Badgers’ impressive history into perspective.

There were a number of easy choices such as National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky, and ones that are sure to spark fair debate amongst Badger nation.

Here is a look at our BadgersWire all-time Wisconsin basketball roster:

Watch: Badger legend interviews Jordan Davis on season

Jordan Davis went on former Badger Sam Dekker’s “Varsity Beat” show on Thursday, answering questions on how the year has gone for the team.

Jordan Davis went on former Badger Sam Dekker’s “Varsity Beat” podcast on Thursday, answering questions on how the season has gone for the Badgers.

After starting the year blazing hot and putting up an 11-2 record over their first 13 contests, Wisconsin saw their season quickly come back to Earth. Partially due to injuries sustained by Tyler Wahl (ankle) and Max Klesmit (upper body), the Badgers found themselves 12-8 entering February.

Since the start of the month, the team has gone 4-3 and has been treading water when it comes to their National Tournament hopes, being considered one of the Last Four In by ESPN in their most recent

Davis (5.8 PPG) recounted what the rollercoaster season has been like for him and his teammates.

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