Wisconsin Badgers NCAAB Tournament preview 2008

Will the Badgers finally put an end to their March Madness misery and upset the odds in this years NCAAB?

Another year, another strong regular season for the Bo Ryan-led Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin has won at least nineteen games in each of Bo Ryan’s seven seasons as head coach. Wisconsin has another trend going that they hope to end this year. Disappointing NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2006, the Badgers were eliminated in the first round by Arizona. Wisconsin entered the 2007 Tournament as a second seed. After struggling to win their first game, the Badgers were knocked out in the second round by UNLV. When the time comes to start thinking about Sweet Sixteen betting, Badger fans will be thrilled if their team is still alive.

The 2008 Badgers play a team game. They do not rely heavily on any one player as they did at times last year with the 2007 Big Ten player of the year Arlando Tucker. The Badgers share the ball and win games with balanced scoring and good team defense.

One of the biggest (and most welcome) surprises for Wisconsin this year has been the emergence of sophomore point guard Trevon Hughes. While Hughes still struggles with shot selection and turnovers at times, he has steadily improved all season and at times has been Ryan’s most important player.

The Badgers do not have a star player that they rely heavily on, but it is pretty safe to say that their 2008 NCAAB Tournament fortunes are on Hughes’ shoulders. If he struggles with turnovers or starts taking bad shots, Wisconsin will once again find themselves fighting to get through the early rounds of the Tournament.