Top 50 Badger Cagers
Updated August, 2022
Before we get into the list, let me do a quick run through of my process.
1. Why the cut-off at 1977?
First, this just happens to fit my frame of reference. I believe my first Badger basketball game came in 1976 or 1977. Either way, I do have at least some memory of seeing all of these players play in person, recall following them, and so on. While my subjective opinion of players isn’t in and of itself that impactful on the ratings, I am sure my biases do trickle in here and there.
Second, it is right at this point that the data becomes sketchy. We have records of points and rebounds, but when we start looking at things like efficiency, you need data on turnovers and the like.
2. How was efficiency computed since the modern stats sites do not carry data going back that far (that I am aware of)?
I have a rudimentary offensive efficiency formula that I have worked with, tweaked, and even published going back many years. While it does not match KenPom, etc. exactly, it is very, very similar and serves its purpose here. I am not using the hard and fast numbers to guide the rankings, but they do serve to verify some of the more subjective methods, serve to separate players in similar groupings, etc.
One thing about my formula that should be mentioned is that posts/guards/wings all have different relative values. By their nature, post numbers are usually going to be higher (more chance for rebounds, less chance for turnovers). So, be careful in comparing Tracy Webster with Rashard Griffith. However, they are are more useful in comparing Webster to Jordan Taylor.
3. What factors were used in ranking players? Note that I am balancing their raw ability with their on-court achievements. I realize that there are players below others that may in fact have been better than those above them, but I am attempting to look at their entire COLLEGE careers as an itemized resume. In no particular order or with no particular weight…
1. Why the cut-off at 1977?
First, this just happens to fit my frame of reference. I believe my first Badger basketball game came in 1976 or 1977. Either way, I do have at least some memory of seeing all of these players play in person, recall following them, and so on. While my subjective opinion of players isn’t in and of itself that impactful on the ratings, I am sure my biases do trickle in here and there.
Second, it is right at this point that the data becomes sketchy. We have records of points and rebounds, but when we start looking at things like efficiency, you need data on turnovers and the like.
2. How was efficiency computed since the modern stats sites do not carry data going back that far (that I am aware of)?
I have a rudimentary offensive efficiency formula that I have worked with, tweaked, and even published going back many years. While it does not match KenPom, etc. exactly, it is very, very similar and serves its purpose here. I am not using the hard and fast numbers to guide the rankings, but they do serve to verify some of the more subjective methods, serve to separate players in similar groupings, etc.
One thing about my formula that should be mentioned is that posts/guards/wings all have different relative values. By their nature, post numbers are usually going to be higher (more chance for rebounds, less chance for turnovers). So, be careful in comparing Tracy Webster with Rashard Griffith. However, they are are more useful in comparing Webster to Jordan Taylor.
3. What factors were used in ranking players? Note that I am balancing their raw ability with their on-court achievements. I realize that there are players below others that may in fact have been better than those above them, but I am attempting to look at their entire COLLEGE careers as an itemized resume. In no particular order or with no particular weight…
- All Conference mentions and other awards
- Program statistical rankings
- Efficiency numbers, both career averages and peak season
- Pro careers (not what they did in the pros, but rather the fact that they had a pro career to verify ranking
- Basic statistics
- Success of teams
- My own subjectivity...who would I want if I had to win one college game?
- Overall breadth of contributions. There are some players who have better numbers, because of modest contributions early in their careers, only to have made significant contributions later on. This always makes the numbers interesting to try to dissect. Still, I did try to balance peak value with long term value.
50. Tim Locum (1987-1991)
Basic Stats: 9.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47% 3PT%, 85% FTP
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3rd in 3P
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: 4th in NCAA career 3 PT %
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.122
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.151
Commentary: Locum is considered the best long range shooter in Badger history, a statement that isn’t even debatable if you strictly by the numbers. While his game was limited in other respects, you knew that when he lined it up from deep, it was most likely going down.While not the best player on those Steve Yoder teams of the late 80’s, his overall efficiency was a key component before most had figured out the benefit of the 3-point shot. Post college, Locum has bounced around in the fitness/wellness industry as well as in the coaching field.
Basic Stats: 9.1 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 47% 3PT%, 85% FTP
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3rd in 3P
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: 4th in NCAA career 3 PT %
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.122
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.151
Commentary: Locum is considered the best long range shooter in Badger history, a statement that isn’t even debatable if you strictly by the numbers. While his game was limited in other respects, you knew that when he lined it up from deep, it was most likely going down.While not the best player on those Steve Yoder teams of the late 80’s, his overall efficiency was a key component before most had figured out the benefit of the 3-point shot. Post college, Locum has bounced around in the fitness/wellness industry as well as in the coaching field.
49. Brad Sellers (1981-1983)
Basic Stats: 15.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career blocks
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.077
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Commentary: If went purely on raw ability, Sellers might rank in the top 10. However, we are just going to take his two years as a Badger before he transferred to Ohio State following his sophomore year. Silky smooth despite being 7 feet tall, Sellers formed a young nucleus with Cory Blackwell and Carl Golston, but the team was awful and Sellers and Golston transferred in back to back years when the coaching change from Bill Cofield to Steve Yoder was made. He is currently the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
Basic Stats: 15.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 2 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career blocks
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.077
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Commentary: If went purely on raw ability, Sellers might rank in the top 10. However, we are just going to take his two years as a Badger before he transferred to Ohio State following his sophomore year. Silky smooth despite being 7 feet tall, Sellers formed a young nucleus with Cory Blackwell and Carl Golston, but the team was awful and Sellers and Golston transferred in back to back years when the coaching change from Bill Cofield to Steve Yoder was made. He is currently the mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
48. Andy Kowske (1997-2001)
Basic Stats: 6.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.7 BPG
Win Shares: 13.3
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career FG percentage
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.081
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.108
Commentary: Like most of the players at the bottom of the list, Kowske was one of the glue players of the 2000 Final Four team. Kowske was a high percentage player who rebounded the ball well and often guarded the best post player for Bennett’s outstanding defensive teams of the late 1990’s. Kowske is the VP of an engineering firm in Milwaukee.
Basic Stats: 6.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 0.7 BPG
Win Shares: 13.3
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career FG percentage
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.081
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.108
Commentary: Like most of the players at the bottom of the list, Kowske was one of the glue players of the 2000 Final Four team. Kowske was a high percentage player who rebounded the ball well and often guarded the best post player for Bennett’s outstanding defensive teams of the late 1990’s. Kowske is the VP of an engineering firm in Milwaukee.
47. Zak Showalter (2012-2017)
Basic Stats: 5.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.9 SPG Win Shares: 9.6 Statistical Rankings (UW history): none All-Big Ten: none Other Awards: All Defensive Team Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.080 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.086 Commentary: Another grinder in our list, Showalter began his career as a walk-on, with two scrub time years sandwiched around a redshirt year before stepping into a more prominent role his final two years as a defensive stopper. By his senior year, he became a reliable 3-point weapon (40%) and averaged 8+ PPG for a 27 win team. Showalter is in the financial industry in Madison. |
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46. Trae Jackson (2011-2015)
Basic Stats: 7.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.7 SPG Win Shares: 7.7 Statistical Rankings (UW history): none All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.058 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.084 Commentary: Jackson came to Wisconsin as an unheralded recruit with a famous name and left as a productive player of championship teams. He was very good his junior year, averaging over 10 PPG with a 2-1 AST/TO rate and 38% shooting from 3. His play dropped off during his senior year, though some of that can be attributed to a foot injury that kept him out for 6 or so weeks. Never afraid to take the big shot, Jackson hit a number of game winners in his time at the UW. Traevon played in the NBA G league for a year and he is currently playing professionally in Sweden. |
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45. Larry Petty (1977-1981)
Basic Stats: 9.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG Statistical Rankings (UW history): 10th in career rebounds All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention twice Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.040 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.080 Commentary: “The Bear” came to the UW highly regarded under former coach Bill Cofield. While some viewed his career as one of a disappointment, he put together four solid years of play for the Badgers. Petty was hard to dislodge under the basket, with a soft touch around the hoop to go along with his rebounding. After leaving the UW and embarking on a pro career, the last I had heard he had fallen on hard times, spending time in prison and homeless. Hopefully he is in a better place in life today. FROM FIELD HOUSE GLORY TO A SAD LIFE ON THE STREETS |
44. Mark Vershaw (1997-2001)
Basic Stats: 8.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Win Shares: 10.1
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 9th in career assists
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.072
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.104
Commentary: Vershaw was a very versatile offensive player for the late 90’s Dick Bennett teams. A skilled passer, Vershaw was one of more gifted players on some otherwise offensively limited teams, helping lead the Badgers to the Final Four in 2000. After three years of steady progression upwards, Vershaw’s play dropped off his senior year, but overall he was a solid choice for this list. After a number of years bouncing around the collegiate basketball coaching ranks, Vershaw is currently a high school teacher.
Basic Stats: 8.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG
Win Shares: 10.1
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 9th in career assists
All-Big Ten: none
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.072
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.104
Commentary: Vershaw was a very versatile offensive player for the late 90’s Dick Bennett teams. A skilled passer, Vershaw was one of more gifted players on some otherwise offensively limited teams, helping lead the Badgers to the Final Four in 2000. After three years of steady progression upwards, Vershaw’s play dropped off his senior year, but overall he was a solid choice for this list. After a number of years bouncing around the collegiate basketball coaching ranks, Vershaw is currently a high school teacher.
43. Mike Heineman (1983-1987)
Basic Stats: 7.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.8 SPG Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career assists, 6th in career assist to turnover ratio All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.093 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.120 Commentary: The heart and soul of the Badger teams of the mid 80’s, Heineman was an emotional player instrumental in bringing energy to the crowd and the court. (And who can forget that perm.) Heineman was a high percentage shooter, making 48% of his 3’s in his one and only season with the rule (52% overall). Heineman is a coach/athletic director at a boys school in San Antonio. |
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42. Willie Simms (1987-1991)
Basic Stats: 11.2 PPG,4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 55% FG%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.090
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.106
Commentary: Simms was a gifted slasher who averaged 14 PPG on 55% shooting his final two years with the Badgers and a key contributor on the “good” Yoder teams of the early 90’s. (People forget that the NIT was a big deal at the time.) While he did play in the 3 point era, it certainly was not what it was today. Not known for his outside shooting, people do not think of him as a beneficiary of increased emphasis of the rule, but I will throw out that he did shoot 36% (on only 11 shots). What does he look like in today’s world where presumably he spends more development time on his perimeter game? Simms had a lengthy CBA career and is the 2nd all-time leading scorer in league history.
SIMMS, TOMPKINS POWER WISCONSIN PAST BOWLING GREEN IN OT
Basic Stats: 11.2 PPG,4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 55% FG%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.090
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.106
Commentary: Simms was a gifted slasher who averaged 14 PPG on 55% shooting his final two years with the Badgers and a key contributor on the “good” Yoder teams of the early 90’s. (People forget that the NIT was a big deal at the time.) While he did play in the 3 point era, it certainly was not what it was today. Not known for his outside shooting, people do not think of him as a beneficiary of increased emphasis of the rule, but I will throw out that he did shoot 36% (on only 11 shots). What does he look like in today’s world where presumably he spends more development time on his perimeter game? Simms had a lengthy CBA career and is the 2nd all-time leading scorer in league history.
SIMMS, TOMPKINS POWER WISCONSIN PAST BOWLING GREEN IN OT
41. Keaton Nankivil (2007-2011)
Basic Stats: 6.4 PPG,3.4 RPG, 42% 3PT FG% Win Shares: 9.8 Statistical Rankings (UW history): All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.114 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.124 Commentary: Almost every player on this list had at least one season as a double digit scorer. Nankivil is one who did not, averaging 9.7 PPG as a senior. However, he is one of the most efficient role players the Badgers have had (4th best efficiency rating among posts on my list), in large part to 46% shooting from 3 point land as a senior. One of the common questions you hear regarding Keaton is what happens if he redshirts his freshman year, a year that saw him on the court for 46 minutes? The cold reality is that you don’t want every player to stick around for 5 years, but in this case, I think it bears asking given the way he played as a true senior. After an overseas career, Nankivil is in Madison in the venture capital field. |
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40. Sam Okey (1995-1998)
Basic Stats: 12 PPG,7.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
Win Shares: 8.9
Statistical Rankings (UW history): none
All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.093
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Commentary: We could easily write an entire entry on the career of Okey, but suffice it to say that if we were to judge purely on raw talent, he would rank much higher on the list. A gifted athlete, Okey was a gifted ball handler and passer for his size, which combined with his interior physicality, made for an intriguing skill set. However, clashes with Coach Bennett, including a disagreement about whether he should play the 4 position, which was best for the team, or the 3, which Sam reportedly believed was best for his future, issues with pace of play, off the court issues, personality clashes, along with rumored parent meddling, made for a combustible mix that resulted in Okey transferring midway through his junior year. He remains one of the bigger “What If…” stories in Badger history. Okey lives in northern Wisconsin and has worked as a hair stylist and corporate liaison.
Basic Stats: 12 PPG,7.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG
Win Shares: 8.9
Statistical Rankings (UW history): none
All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.093
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Commentary: We could easily write an entire entry on the career of Okey, but suffice it to say that if we were to judge purely on raw talent, he would rank much higher on the list. A gifted athlete, Okey was a gifted ball handler and passer for his size, which combined with his interior physicality, made for an intriguing skill set. However, clashes with Coach Bennett, including a disagreement about whether he should play the 4 position, which was best for the team, or the 3, which Sam reportedly believed was best for his future, issues with pace of play, off the court issues, personality clashes, along with rumored parent meddling, made for a combustible mix that resulted in Okey transferring midway through his junior year. He remains one of the bigger “What If…” stories in Badger history. Okey lives in northern Wisconsin and has worked as a hair stylist and corporate liaison.
39. Joe Krabbenhoft (2005-2009)
Basic Stats: 6.1 PPG,5.6 RPG, 2.0 APG Win Shares: 13.7 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 9th in career rebounds, 5th in career wins All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Big Ten All Defensive Team Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.092 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.105 Commentary: Like Nankivil, another player who never averaged more than 10 PPG, but Krabbenhoft was one of the best role players in Badger history. A tough and physical defender who could handle the ball, rebound, and took good shots, Joe was a steady influence on teams that won 100 games over his career. In many respects, he is an interesting contract with Okey: somewhat similar builds/skill sets, but drastically different outcomes relative to steadiness and consistency vs. raw production and potential. Krabbenhoft is currently an assistant for the Badgers. |
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38. Joe Chrnelich (1976-1980)
Basic Stats: 10.8 PPG,7.7 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 51% FG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career rebounds, 9th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention twice
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.073
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.079
Commentary: Chrnelich makes the list on the basis of steady consistent production for four years, as you will be hard pressed to find a player that put together four years of stat lines so similar...11 points/8 rebounds like clockwork every year. Wesley Matthews and Claudge Gregory were the flash of that era, but Chrnelich was the guts. Chrnelich is a businessman in the Milwaukee area.
37. Patrick Tompkins (1987-1991)
Basic Stats: 8.2 PPG,5.9 RPG, 57% FG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career FG%
All-Big Ten: 1st team once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.132
Commentary: Our list to this point has been composed almost entirely of supporting players: 3rd wheels, glue guys, or players ranked on career duration and stability. Prior to his senior year, Tompkins would have been stretched to be considered at this level….bench player, 5 PPG. However, Tompkins exploded his senior year to become a dominant force in the paint and a 1st team All Big Ten performer, averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, on 65% shooting. In Tompkins’ sophomore year (1988-89), it is believed that the Badgers were the first team out of the NCAA tournament, needing just one more Big Ten win to reach 9-9 in conference. Tompkins was declared ineligible and played only 12 games and while he was only a role player, might his play have allowed the Badgers to win an additional game or two and break their NCAA drought a bit earlier?
TOMPKINS BUZZER BEATER VS. MINNESOTA
Basic Stats: 10.8 PPG,7.7 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 51% FG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career rebounds, 9th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention twice
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.073
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.079
Commentary: Chrnelich makes the list on the basis of steady consistent production for four years, as you will be hard pressed to find a player that put together four years of stat lines so similar...11 points/8 rebounds like clockwork every year. Wesley Matthews and Claudge Gregory were the flash of that era, but Chrnelich was the guts. Chrnelich is a businessman in the Milwaukee area.
37. Patrick Tompkins (1987-1991)
Basic Stats: 8.2 PPG,5.9 RPG, 57% FG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career FG%
All-Big Ten: 1st team once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.095
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.132
Commentary: Our list to this point has been composed almost entirely of supporting players: 3rd wheels, glue guys, or players ranked on career duration and stability. Prior to his senior year, Tompkins would have been stretched to be considered at this level….bench player, 5 PPG. However, Tompkins exploded his senior year to become a dominant force in the paint and a 1st team All Big Ten performer, averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, on 65% shooting. In Tompkins’ sophomore year (1988-89), it is believed that the Badgers were the first team out of the NCAA tournament, needing just one more Big Ten win to reach 9-9 in conference. Tompkins was declared ineligible and played only 12 games and while he was only a role player, might his play have allowed the Badgers to win an additional game or two and break their NCAA drought a bit earlier?
TOMPKINS BUZZER BEATER VS. MINNESOTA
36. Kam Taylor (2003-2007)
Basic Stats: 10.3 PPG,2.2 RPG, 1.7 APG Win Shares: 9.2 Statistical Rankings (UW history): none All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.057 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.083 Commentary: After a year of development and a year off the bench, Taylor, a shoot-first PG had two very productive years as a junior and senior, including leading a 30 win/2nd place team. Taylor showed steady progression throughout his career, improving his efficiency numbers every year, something that is not always the case as usage increases. Taylor played professionally for about ten years and is now an athletic trainer in Florida. |
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35. Jason Bohannon (2006-2010)
Basic Stats: 8.7 PPG,2.6 RPG, 1.6 APG Win Shares: 13.8 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 6h in career 3P All-Big Ten: 3rd team once Other Awards: Big Ten 6th Man of Year Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.083 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.089 Commentary: Bohannon, like Chrnelich, was remarkably consistent throughout his career, whether as a supporting player as a freshman, to 6th man as a sophomore, to a starter for his final two seasons, scoring between 8-12 PPG and shooting 37-39% from deep, and 85% from the line (once making 39 straight from the charity stripe). He continued to broaden his game in small ways and while he was never a star, his accumulation of value makes him a worthy selection. After a short career overseas, Bohannon is in the financial industry in Iowa. |
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34. JJ Weber (1983-1987)
Basic Stats: 9.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.9 SPG Statistical Rankings (UW history): 7th in career FG%, 10th in career blocks All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.111 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.134 Commentary: Weber was an undersized post player, known as a ferocious competitor. He jumped from steady role player to have a big senior year, averaging 15 PPG and 8 RPG on 56% shooting, good for 2nd team All-Big Ten. He was an efficient player throughout his career, while upping his scoring average at least 4 PPG every year. Weber works in the business field in the Milwaukee area. |
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33. Jared Berggren (2009-2013)
Basic Stats: 7.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG Win Shares: 10.4 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3d in career blocks All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Big Ten All Defensive Team Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.088 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.106 Commentary: This sounds like a broken record, but it is a record Badger fans have heard a lot...Berggren spent two years in an peripheral role before two very solid seasons as a mainstay player. Looking at all four years as a whole, Berggren made consistent offensive growth, became a better rebounder, as well as an eraser in the back end of the defense. Overall, he won’t go down as a great player, as his win shares suggest, but a very solid piece ranking just behind the obvious selections that will be coming. Post UW, Jared has been playing professionally in Belgium, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland. |
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32. Mike Kelley (1997-2001)
Basic Stats: 4.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.7 ASP, 2.1 SPG, 2.5 AST/TO rate Win Shares: 12.2 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career steals, 6th in career assists, 2nd in assist/TO rate, All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Wooden finalist, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.70 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.98 Commentary: All you probably need to say is that he was a Wooden Award finalist while averaging 5 points per game. An incredibly unique player in that he may have been the most impactful defender in Badger history, while at the same time, offering so little raw production on the offensive end. To his credit, he did not gobble up possessions by taking ill advised shot or by turning the ball over, so he was still a valuable offensive piece in a sense, but to be honest, he isn’t on this list for his offense (and his offense does limit his ranking to this position). Kelley’s off ball defense: his ability to chase, his ability to read angles, his timing in jumping passes, was incredibly rare. A lot of players who chase steals often wind up out of position when they don’t get the steal, but Kelley had a unique ability to get just about everything he “went for”. He won DPOTY once, and honestly, he should have won it more.Kelley works with his family business in the Milwaukee area and has done some color commentating for ESPN. |
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31. Michael Flowers (2004-2008)
Basic Stats: 6.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 ASP, 1.3 SPG Win Shares: 13.4 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in steals All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Big Ten All Defensive Team twice Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.066 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.079 Commentary: A similar player in some respects to Kelley, in that he was known more for his defensive ability. He was not as good as Kelley off the ball, but may have been better on the ball. While Kelley was slightly more efficient than Flowers offensively, Flowers gets the not for shouldering more offensive burden his final two seasons with the Badgers and more team success (both 30 win seasons). By his senior year, Flowers had elevated his 3P% above 40%, proving his wasn’t a one dimensional player. After a few years overseas, Flowers returned to Madison to get his degree and as of a few years ago, Flowers was a volunteer for the Middleton Fire Department. |
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30. Ben Brust (2010-2014)
Basic Stats: 9.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.3 ASP, 0.7 SPG, 39 3P% Win Shares: 13.1 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career 3P All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention twice Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.078 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.095 Commentary: After a write-off year as a freshman, Brust put together three very solid years on three terrific teams, shooting 39% from 3 all three seasons. However, what may be underrated about Brust is how he added to his game each season, becoming a very good rebounder for his size/position, improving his ability to get to the basket, and continuing to reduce his turnovers to a miniscule 27 in over 1300 minutes. Like Flowers, Brust played a couple years of basketball overseas before returning to Wisconsin where he has a radio show on ESPN Milwaukee and does some color commentating. |
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29. Scott Roth (1981-1985)
Basic Stats: 10.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 ASP, 0.9 SPG Statistical Rankings (UW history): All-Big Ten: 2nd team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.072 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.113 Commentary: Roth was as small forward with the Badgers as the program transitioned from Coach Cofield to Coach Yoder and I often refer to him as the most forgotten good player in Badger history. He also should be on the short list for most improved, going from 5.6 PPG on 38% shooting (0.023 efficiency) as a sophomore to 18.3 PPG on 54% shooting (0.113 efficiency) as a senior. In some ways, I believe he was a bit before his time, being a big (6-8) that could shoot the ball and handle the ball, he probably would have really benefited from the 3P line. Following his time with the Badgers, Roth played in the NBA for five years as a bench player. After retiring, Roth has been a coach/scout with the NBA as well as internationally. |
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28. Sean Mason (1994-1999)
Basic Stats: 12.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.5 ASP Statistical Rankings (UW history): 20th in career points All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.062 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.110 Commentary: Mason’s path was a rocky one, and I think this causes him to be lost at times. Recruited by Jackson, playing for Van Gundy and then Bennett, Mason also suffered a serious knee injury that caused him to play only 17 games during his sophomore and RS sophomore year. When he came back, he had a good junior year and an outstanding senior year in which he averaged nearly 17 PPG (on a team that averaged only 57 possessions per game) with a very good 0.110 efficiency mark. His peak value certainly makes you wonder what those sophomore and junior years look like without the injury, but his career was still a good one as is. Mason works in real estate development in the Chicago area. |
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27. Marcus Landry (2005-2009)
Basic Stats: 9.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.2 ASP, 0.8 BPG Win Shares: 15.3 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 8th in career blocked shots All-Big Ten: 2nd Team twice Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.083 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.094 Commentary: Unlike a player like Mason, who really exploded his senior year, Landry was the model of consistency. While he moved from a supporting players his first two years to a frontline player his final two years, Landry’s efficiency numbers sat in the 0.068 to 0.094 range and was always a good defender (often guarding players much bigger than he was) and scoring about 12 PPG on teams that won 50 games in his time as a starter. HIs 15 win shares, a higher total than some players ahead of him on the list, speak to his consistent level of contribution. Marcus has played professionally since leaving the UW, whether it be on the fringes of the NBA or in Europe. |
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26. Rick Olson (1982-1986)
Basic Stats: 15.3 PPG, 2.3 ASP, 1.0 SPG, 87% career FT%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 7th in scoring, 1st in career FT%
All-Big Ten: 3rd team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.053
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.083
Commentary: Olson was even better offensively than his numbers would suggest, as he did it without the benefit of a 3-point line. (For more, see my related article HERE.) With the 3-point line, a strong argument can be made for him being a top 3 scorer in Badger history. So, why does he not crack the top 20? Very simply, the teams he played on were generally poor, which allowed him to rack up shots. Secondly, he was a fairly one dimensional player. While he did average more assists per game than guys like Flowers, Brust, or Mason, he wasn’t a great defender, was too small to do much on the boards, and so forth. He certainly could score the ball however. Olson works in sales in the Madison area.
Basic Stats: 15.3 PPG, 2.3 ASP, 1.0 SPG, 87% career FT%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 7th in scoring, 1st in career FT%
All-Big Ten: 3rd team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.053
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.083
Commentary: Olson was even better offensively than his numbers would suggest, as he did it without the benefit of a 3-point line. (For more, see my related article HERE.) With the 3-point line, a strong argument can be made for him being a top 3 scorer in Badger history. So, why does he not crack the top 20? Very simply, the teams he played on were generally poor, which allowed him to rack up shots. Secondly, he was a fairly one dimensional player. While he did average more assists per game than guys like Flowers, Brust, or Mason, he wasn’t a great defender, was too small to do much on the boards, and so forth. He certainly could score the ball however. Olson works in sales in the Madison area.
25. D’Mitrick Trice (2016-2021)
Basic Stats: 10.0 PPG,3.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 AST/TO ratio Win Shares: 12.6 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 14th in points, 2nd in 3P, 3rd in assists, 4th in career AST/TO ratio, 5th in games played All-Big Ten: 3rd twice, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.059 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.081 Commentary: Trice has a 38% career 3-point percentage and ranks highly among most of the point guard stats..He improved continuously throughout his career, improving his efficiency as well as his raw production. Not the biggest or most talented player on the list, but a steady influence who knew how to play and one of the few 3-time All-Big Ten nominees. |
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24. Wes Matthews (1977-1980)
Basic Stats: 18.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.7 ASP Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3rd in per game scoring average, 5th in career FT% All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.054 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.093 Commentary: Matthews was an ultra quick guard that played for Coach Cofield in the late 70’s. Like Olson, his stats need to be viewed in the pre-3P lens, but suffice it to say, averaging 19.6 PPG on 51% shooting means you can play. Aside from his electric play, Matthews is best known by some Badger fans for his half-court shot that beat Michigan State, who had some kid named Magic Johnson on a trajectory to face some Bird kid in the national championship (the last game that MSU team lost). After a great junior year, Matthews declared for the NBA where he was a first round draft pick and where he had a 13 year career, primarily as a backup, two of which were behind that Magic character. Matthews is a personal trainer in his home state of Connecticut. |
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23. Cory Blackwell (1981-1984)
Basic Stats: 16.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 16th in career points, 4th in career PPG
All-Big Ten: 1st team once, 3rd team once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.059
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.073
Commentary: Not the most efficient player around, but Blackwell was a guy who could put the ball in the basket. Another “old schooler” who played before the three-point shot, Blackwell could slash and finish in the post despite being only 6-6. As a junior, Blackwell led the Big Ten in both scoring and rebounding before declaring for the NBA draft due to family financial difficulties. He was a first round draft pick but played only a year before heading oversees. Blackwell entered the ministry after his playing days ended and has been involved with many charities and service organizations.
Basic Stats: 16.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 16th in career points, 4th in career PPG
All-Big Ten: 1st team once, 3rd team once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.059
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.073
Commentary: Not the most efficient player around, but Blackwell was a guy who could put the ball in the basket. Another “old schooler” who played before the three-point shot, Blackwell could slash and finish in the post despite being only 6-6. As a junior, Blackwell led the Big Ten in both scoring and rebounding before declaring for the NBA draft due to family financial difficulties. He was a first round draft pick but played only a year before heading oversees. Blackwell entered the ministry after his playing days ended and has been involved with many charities and service organizations.
22. Brian Butch (2004-2008)
Basic Stats: 9 PPG, 5.4 RPG Win Shares: 13.9 Statistical Rankings (UW history): none All-Big Ten: 1st team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.097 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.106 Commentary: After a redshirt year and a year in a fringe role as he put on weight (complicated by an illness), Butch was a solid three year starter, culminating in a 1st team All-Conference nod as a senior as he averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds per game. Despite the 1st team mention,I don’t know that I ever considered Butch a star, but a really good consistent piece on really good teams (two 30 win seasons). Bo Ryan has stated that Butch’s injury as a senior took away their shot at a Final Four. Butch works for BTN as a game analyst and does local sport talk radio and basketball camps. |
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21. Josh Gasser (2010-2015)
Basic Stats: 7.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 ASP, 0.7 SPG, 40% career 3P% Win Shares: 17.8 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3rd in career AST/TO rate. Most wins in school history. All-Big Ten: Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Big Ten All-Defensive Team three times Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.088 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.100 Commentary: Gasser was a winner in every sense of the word: efficient, unselfish, broad base of complementary skills, terrific defender, etc. He is quite difficult to place on this list in that his raw numbers and All-Big Ten mentions are far below almost everyone around him, but when you start looking at things like win shares and overall impact on his teams, I think an argument can be made that he deserves to rank even higher. Overall, the stars of his teams, many who are coming soon on the list, get a ton of rightful credit, but don’t for a second underestimate how good Gasser was as a collegiate player. After a short career overseas, Gasser works in marketing for Badger Sports Properties. |
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20. Trevon Hughes (2006-2010)
Basic Stats: 10.1 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.1 ASP, 1.3 SPG Win Shares: 13.5 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career steals, 10th in career 3P, 19th in career points All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention twice Other Awards: Big Ten All Defensive Team, Cousy finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.066 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.091 Commentary: In my book, Hughes is one of the more underrated Badgers. If people were making out their own top 20 lists, I don’t know how many would list Trevon, but when you start looking at his body of work, you start to see the light. After little playing time behind Kam Taylor as a freshman, Hughes put together three very solid years as the starting point guard, getting better every year: lowering turnover rate, scoring more, shooting better from 3P range, etc. As a senior, Hughes was an All-Defensive team player, averaging 15 PPG on 40% 3-point shooting. That is pretty damn good. Since leaving the UW, Hughes has continued his basketball with a successful overseas career. |
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19. Trent Jackson (1985-1989)
Basic Stats: 15.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.6 ASP, 1.5 SPG, 45% career 3P%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 7th in career 3P, 8th in career points, 9th in career steals
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.097
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.118
Commentary: Jackson was one of the best shooters in Badger history, shooting 45% from 3-point range. Since he played at the advent of the line (beginning his sophomore year), his overall % would most likely drop if he played in the modern age, but his overall attempts (and resulting points) would most likely increase. While known as a shooter, he was a solid defender and better all-around player than some give him credit for. He is also an underrated player in terms of at least bringing the program to some level of relevancy, which may have helped lure that next generation of players (Finley, Webster, Griffith) to Wisconsin. Jackson works in the chancellor’s office at the UW.
UW ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 2019: TRENT JACKSON
Basic Stats: 15.6 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.6 ASP, 1.5 SPG, 45% career 3P%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 7th in career 3P, 8th in career points, 9th in career steals
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.097
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.118
Commentary: Jackson was one of the best shooters in Badger history, shooting 45% from 3-point range. Since he played at the advent of the line (beginning his sophomore year), his overall % would most likely drop if he played in the modern age, but his overall attempts (and resulting points) would most likely increase. While known as a shooter, he was a solid defender and better all-around player than some give him credit for. He is also an underrated player in terms of at least bringing the program to some level of relevancy, which may have helped lure that next generation of players (Finley, Webster, Griffith) to Wisconsin. Jackson works in the chancellor’s office at the UW.
UW ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 2019: TRENT JACKSON
18. Brad Davison (2017-2022)
Basic Stats: 11.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1 SPG Win Shares: 17.4 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 6th in scoring, 8th in assists, 7th in AST/TO ratio, 9th in steals, 1st in 3P, 1st in starts, 5th in wins All-Big Ten: 2nd team Other Awards: All-Big Ten Freshman Team Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.070 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.083 Commentary: A rare 5 year starter, thanks to Covid, Davison was the consummate winner who would do anything in order to win. Throughout his career, he did some scoring, played some point, often drew a key defensive assignment, was willing to take a big shot, took a billion charges and was a general annoyance to opponents. Davison ranks high in most career stats, but did not have the peak value to move higher on the list. |
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17. Johnny Davis (2020-2022)
Basic Stats: 13.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG Statistical Rankings (UW history): 11th in PPG in a season Win Shares: 6.6 All-Big Ten: 1st team once Other Awards: Big Ten Player of the Year. 1st Team All-American Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.063 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.090 Commentary: Davis is probably the toughest players to rank, as he ranks among the top Badgers ever in terms of peak value, but is nowhere to be seen in any of the career values due to only playing two seasons and only starting one season. His final season of course was huge, winning Big Ten Player of the Year and being named a consensus All-American while leading the Badger to the Big Ten title, with numerous high level performances in big games. The one detraction is that he wasn’t a terribly efficient player, but he carried the team on his back often and his raw numbers have to count for a lot. Still, we could go on forever about the contrast between Davis and say, Brad Davison, who could not touch Davis’ peak but was a great accumulator of numbers. |
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16. Rashard Griffith (1993-1995)
Basic Stats: 15.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.2 BPG. 55% career FG% Statistical Rankings (UW history): 3rd in career FG%, 4th in career blocks All-Big Ten: 1st Team once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.102 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.111 Commentary: I don’t think anyone would argue that Griffith wasn’t one of the 6 or 7 best players to ever suit up for the Badgers and if he had stuck around four years to rack up stats and accomplishments, his ranking would have been much higher. However, much like Russell Wilson on my football list, the fact that he only played two years has to be factored in. Griffith was certainly good enough to have an NBA career, but he figured out that playing on the top European teams could be very lucrative. Technically, Griffith has served as a team manager the last few years for the UW program, though “mentor” is probably a better description of his role. |
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15. Claude Gregory (1977-1981)
Basic Stats: 15.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career rebounds, 6th in career points
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.049
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.084
Commentary: Gregory was not terribly efficient, in part due to the er (pre 3P) and in part due to a horrible AST/TO rate, but in terms of raw production, you won’t find many in program history that were better as Claude was good for 18/10 pretty much every night for three years. A second round draft pick of the Washington Bullets, Gregory played for a couple years in the NBA before a decade or so in the CBA and overseas. Gregory works in the financial/realty field in Maryland.
Basic Stats: 15.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career rebounds, 6th in career points
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.049
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.084
Commentary: Gregory was not terribly efficient, in part due to the er (pre 3P) and in part due to a horrible AST/TO rate, but in terms of raw production, you won’t find many in program history that were better as Claude was good for 18/10 pretty much every night for three years. A second round draft pick of the Washington Bullets, Gregory played for a couple years in the NBA before a decade or so in the CBA and overseas. Gregory works in the financial/realty field in Maryland.
14. Danny Jones (1986-1990)
Basic Stats: 15.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 54% FG%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career points, 6th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team twice, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.100
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.134
Commentary: Jones was one of the best low post scorers in Badger history, featuring a devastating turnaround jumper which he also seemed to be able to get off despite being a 6’5” post player. Jones, along with Trent Jackson were key in elevating the program to at least respectable levels and were close to breaking that NCAA drought. Not a great rebounder or any more than an average defender, Jones could score and his junior year was one of the top 5-6 offensive years from a post player in UW history. Jones had a lengthy professional career in the CBA and in various international leagues. Jones currently lives in the LaCrosse area.
Basic Stats: 15.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 54% FG%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 5th in career points, 6th in career FG%
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team twice, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.100
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.134
Commentary: Jones was one of the best low post scorers in Badger history, featuring a devastating turnaround jumper which he also seemed to be able to get off despite being a 6’5” post player. Jones, along with Trent Jackson were key in elevating the program to at least respectable levels and were close to breaking that NCAA drought. Not a great rebounder or any more than an average defender, Jones could score and his junior year was one of the top 5-6 offensive years from a post player in UW history. Jones had a lengthy professional career in the CBA and in various international leagues. Jones currently lives in the LaCrosse area.
13. Bronson Koenig (2013-2017)
Basic Stats: 9.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.2 ASP Win Shares: 13.9 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career 3P, 7th in career AST/TO rate, 11th in career points All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.074 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.087 Commentary: A steady contributor for four years, Koenig functioned both as a point and off-guard based on the needs of the team. During the second Final Four run, some believe it was his insertion into the starting lineup following injury that elevated the team to another level. An excellent three-point shooter, Koenig also had a solid mid-range game and was able to distribute the ball when needed earlier in his career before taking on more of a scorer’s guard mentality as he grew older. Koenig currently is playing in the NBA G-League. |
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12. Kirk Penney (1999-2003)
Basic Stats: 11.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.7 ASP Win Shares: 12.4 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career 3P All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.077 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.083 Commentary: Penney was another player that showed steady growth throughout his time as a Badger, going from a reserve perimeter shooter as a freshman to a well rounded 1st team All-Big Ten player as a senior. During his final three years, Penney never fell below 39% as a 3-point shooter, but it was his ability to play some in the post that really elevated his offensive game (going from 19 FTA as a freshman to 121 as a senior). Post UW, Penney flitted around a number of NBA teams getting brief looks here and there, but played extensively internationally, including a long run with the New Zealand National Team. Kirk is currently on the Virginia coaching staff with former UW assistant Tony Bennett. |
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11. Sam Dekker (2012-2015)
Basic Stats: 12.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.3 ASP Win Shares: 15.9 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 10th in career FG% All-Big Ten: 2nd Team twice, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Erving Finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.122 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.142 Commentary: One of the top 5-ish offensive players in school history, Dekker would most likely rank even higher on this list if he hadn't left following his junior year for the NBA. Dekker’s raw production numbers, while good, are not great, in part because he played on teams that featured so many weapons, capping his total shots, but his excellent efficiency numbers tell the story here. While those numbers probably drop with more shots, I don’t have any doubt that he couldn’t have been an 18-20 PPG scorer on different Badger teams. After a couple years in the NBA, Sam plays professionally in Russia. |
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10. Tracy Webster (1991-1994)
Basic Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.7 ASP, 2.1 SPG, 41% career 3P%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career assists, 3rd in career steals, 8th in career assist to turnover rate
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.092
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.100
Commentary: After sitting out his freshman year due to NCAA eligibility issues, Webster was a three year starter and was mentioned all three years on the All Big-Ten teams. While his sophomore year may have been his best statistically (17 PPG, 5 APG), he was able to transition to more of a facilitator role by his senior role, letting Finley and Griffith “get theirs” while the team improved each year, capping off with the NCAA tournament berth. This willingness to defer led to his school record 501 assists in only three years. Aside from the production, Webster’s efficiency is also in the top 5 for guards. Since his playing career ended, Webster has bounced around as an assistant coach with many programs.
Basic Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.7 ASP, 2.1 SPG, 41% career 3P%
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career assists, 3rd in career steals, 8th in career assist to turnover rate
All-Big Ten: 2nd Team once, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: none
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.092
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.100
Commentary: After sitting out his freshman year due to NCAA eligibility issues, Webster was a three year starter and was mentioned all three years on the All Big-Ten teams. While his sophomore year may have been his best statistically (17 PPG, 5 APG), he was able to transition to more of a facilitator role by his senior role, letting Finley and Griffith “get theirs” while the team improved each year, capping off with the NCAA tournament berth. This willingness to defer led to his school record 501 assists in only three years. Aside from the production, Webster’s efficiency is also in the top 5 for guards. Since his playing career ended, Webster has bounced around as an assistant coach with many programs.
9. Jon Leuer (2007-2011)
Basic Stats: 11.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.7 BPG Win Shares: 14.5 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 17th in career points All-Big Ten: 1st Team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American, Wooden Finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.116 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.149 Commentary: So, do I sound like a broken record yet? Sporadic playing time as a freshman, peripheral player as a sophomore, before breaking out big as a junior and senior. Other than Kaminsky’s junior/senior year, it could be argued that Leuer’s combined junior/senior year was the best two year stretch in modern Badger history, combining raw production (15 PPG/18 PPG) with elite efficiency (two top five seasons for post players). Not known as a great rebounder, Leuer went from 3.8 to 7.2 rebounds per game his final three years, adding an additional element to his game. Following his Badger career, Leuer has bounced around the NBA the last 8-9 years. |
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8. Nigel Hayes (2013-2017)
Basic Stats: 12.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.1 ASP, 2.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG Win Shares: 19.1 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career wins, 4th in career points, 7th in career rebounds, 8th in career assists, 10th in career steals All-Big Ten: 1st Team once, 3rd Team twice Other Awards: Big Ten 6th Man of the Year Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.097 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.135 Commentary: Just so much to love about Hayes’ game...he could score from the mid-range and around the hoop, terrific passer, excellent defender, solid rebounder, played a variety of roles on a lot of great teams (leading to an elite win share total). While he struggled from range his final two years, much to the consternation of many fans, he simply brought so much more to the court that the 3P shooting is a small footnote in my mind. Like many players, he put up an elite efficiency rate as a sophomore before seeing it drop off his final two years as he moved into an increased role. He will always be a polarizing player due to activism, charm, aloofness, and unwillingness to play the role that others expected of him (both pro and con), but his on the court performance clearly places him in the top 10 of our list. After a few cups of coffee in the NBA, Hayes has played overseas in Turkey and Lithuania. |
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7. Mike Wilkinson (2001-2005)
Basic Stats: 11.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.7 ASP, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG Win Shares: 23.1 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 4th in career rebounds, 6th in career steals, 6th in career blocks, 10th in career points All-Big Ten: 1st Team once, 2nd Team once Other Awards: none Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.119 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.145 Commentary: The stat that surprised me the most when compiling this list? Why, most career win shares of course. The answer is not Happ, not Tucker, not Kaminsky, not Haris, not Taylor...but Mike Wilkinson. He is one of those guys that everyone knew was really good, but still might not grasp just how good. Like Hayes, he could do a little bit of everything and I will go to my grave knowing, not believing, but knowing that he was robbed a couple times by never being named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. Raw production, Big Ten titles, peak seasons, consistent efficiency, Big Ten honors, Wilkinson was the total package as a player. After nearly a decade overseas, Wilkinson has since returned to Wisconsin where, to nobody’s surprise, he works in farming. |
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6. Devin Harris (2001-2004)
Basic Stats: 14.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.1 ASP, 1.7 SPG Win Shares: 17.6 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 8th in career steals, 8th in career 3P, 14th in career points All-Big Ten: 1st Team once, 2nd Team once Other Awards: Big Ten Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-American, Wooden Finalist, Robertson Finalist, Cousy Finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.111 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.158 Commentary: I am guessing I am going to get grief on this one, as once we get into the top 6, it all comes down to what criteria you use. If you weigh NBA success or raw ability, you obviously rank him higher. However, when you factor in total production and weight of collegiate career he falls slightly behind the top 5, even though his career was undoubtedly terrific, with his junior year ranking as one of the best 2-3 seasons in history. Like players like Okey or Webster or Blackwell or Griffith, he is docked slightly for not playing through his senior year, but honestly that is just picking nits. Major awards, winning teams, highly productive and efficient, Top 50 list aside, it would be hard to argue with him being the top picks in a straight pick-em of Badger history. Harris recently completed a 15 year NBA career. |
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5. Jordan Taylor (2008-2012)
Basic Stats: 11.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 ASP, 0.8 SPG Win Shares: 18.7 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career AST/TO rate (#1 in NCAA history), 2nd in career assists, 9th in career points, 9th in career 3P All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice Other Awards: 2nd Team All-American, Honorable Mention All-American, Big Ten All-Defensive Team, Cousy Finalist, Wooden Finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.111 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.170 Commentary: Do Badger fans realize how good Jordan Taylor was as a collegiate basketball player? I believe his junior year may have been the best season by a Badger guard in program history, combining raw production with elite efficiency on Sweet 16 teams that won 26 games. I am sure the big reaction from many will be, “Why over Devin Harris?”
Harris’ argument more or less comes down to his NBA career. Was Harris flat out better? Maybe, but at some point, the total resume needs to matter when looking at who had the better career, an argument we are going to see again coming up in the next few players. Taylor has played in Europe since his Badger career ended, most recently in France. |
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4. Frank Kaminsky (2011-2015)
Basic Stats: 10.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 BPG Win Shares: 19.1 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career blocks, 3rd in career wins, 8th in career FG%, 12th in career points All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice Other Awards: National Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American, Naismith Award, Wooden Award, Robertson Award Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.160 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.181 Commentary: The top four are very difficult to place and it basically comes down to what you value? Do you value peak level of play, which would probably put Kaminsky at #1? Do you value career span, where Kaminsky’s first two seasons work against him when compared to someone like Finley? How much does team success matter? The bottom line here is that I think you can put the top 4 in any order and not be wrong. I went with Kaminsky at #4 because even though Kaminsky had the best season, it did not make up for the breadth of accomplishments by the other three. But boy, you look at those last two seasons and they really make your eyes pop. Following the conclusion of his UW career, Frank has played in the NBA, most recently in Phoenix. |
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3. Michael Finley (1991-1995)
Basic Stats: 18.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.2 ASP, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career points, 5th in career assists, 5th in career 3P, 6th in career steals
All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice, 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American three times, 12th in Big Ten career points,
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.103
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.138
Commentary: Along with Devin Harris, Finley has been the player with by far the most NBA success, carving out a terrific 15 year career. If you throw out college accolades, team accomplishments, and all that stuff, he moves to the top of the list. I ranked him over Kaminsky based on the breadth of his career, averaging 20+ PPG three times, being named All-Big Ten all four years, career ranks in major statistical categories, etc. Many believe that Finley was also hurt by the coaching rotation (Yoder to Jackson to Van Gundy), an argument which might have validity, but hard to quantify. His efficiency numbers are very good for a guard, though they are hurt by his senior year, when he shot 28% from 3 after three straight years at 36%. Still, you can’t go wrong regardless of where you put Finley in the top 5. Following NBA retirement, Finley works in the front office for the Dallas Mavericks.
Basic Stats: 18.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.2 ASP, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Statistical Rankings (UW history): 2nd in career points, 5th in career assists, 5th in career 3P, 6th in career steals
All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice, 2nd Team once, Honorable Mention once
Other Awards: Honorable Mention All-American three times, 12th in Big Ten career points,
Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.103
Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.138
Commentary: Along with Devin Harris, Finley has been the player with by far the most NBA success, carving out a terrific 15 year career. If you throw out college accolades, team accomplishments, and all that stuff, he moves to the top of the list. I ranked him over Kaminsky based on the breadth of his career, averaging 20+ PPG three times, being named All-Big Ten all four years, career ranks in major statistical categories, etc. Many believe that Finley was also hurt by the coaching rotation (Yoder to Jackson to Van Gundy), an argument which might have validity, but hard to quantify. His efficiency numbers are very good for a guard, though they are hurt by his senior year, when he shot 28% from 3 after three straight years at 36%. Still, you can’t go wrong regardless of where you put Finley in the top 5. Following NBA retirement, Finley works in the front office for the Dallas Mavericks.
2. Alando Tucker (2002-2007)
Basic Stats: 16.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 ASP, 0.8 SPG Win Shares: 18.4 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career points, 8th in career rebounds All-Big Ten: 1st Team twice, 3rd Team once, Honorable Mention once Other Awards: Big Ten Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American, 9th in Big Ten career points, Big Ten All-Defensive Team, Wooden finalist, Robertson finalist Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.108 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.127 (he was at 0.196 his true sophomore year, but in only four games) Commentary: Tucker ranks over Kaminsky and Finely because he is sort of an amalgamation of the two….elite individual season combined with breadth of career. He finished second in the National Player of the Year balloting behind some guy named Durant while of course being productive enough over four seasons (plus 4 games) to become the all-time leading scorer as well as four All-Big Ten nominations. Always an explosive and ferocious offensive rebounder, Tucker improved his overall game every year, becoming a better defender, better passer, and even adding a bit of a perimeter game to his arsenal as a senior. While too much of a tweener to have a much of an NBA career (about 50 games over three seasons), he also played in Europe for a handful of seasons before returning to Wisconsin where he has worked in the athletic department, most recently as an assistant for Greg Gard in the absence of Howard Moore. |
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1.Ethan Happ (2015-2019)
Basic Stats: 15.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.0 ASP, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG Win Shares: 21 Statistical Rankings (UW history): 1st in career rebounds, 1st in career blocks, 2nd in career steals, 3rd in career points, 3rd in career assists, 5th in career FG% All-Big Ten: 1st Team three times, 3rd Team once Other Awards: 2nd Team All-American once, 3rd Team All-American once, Jabbar Award, Newell Award, Wooden finalist twice, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten All-Defensive Team twice, 3rd in Big Ten career rebounds, 18th in Big Ten career points Career Offensive Efficiency: 0.117 Peak Offensive Efficiency: 0.145 Commentary: A controversial choice for player #1 I am sure, but one I am very comfortable with. When you start stacking his accomplishments up against every other player, Happ dwarfs even other elite players and yet he remains under-appreciated by many Badger fans because they focus on the one thing he couldn’t do (outside shooting) as opposed to everything he could do (everything else). When you look at his career ranks, he rebounded like Claude Gregory, scored like Alando Tucker, rejected shots like Rashard Griffith, passed the ball like Jordan Taylor, stole the ball like Tracy Webster, and defended like Michael Flowers. Think about that for a moment. He was the only player named 1st Team All-Big Ten three times, and the only player to be named on the top 3 teams all four years. He ranks 3rd in career efficiency behind Kaminsky and Wilkinson. He ranks second in win shares behind Wilkinson (despite a team with a worse supporting cast as he progressed through his career). I understand the emotional reaction to watching him shoot free throws, but at some point, you look at that resume and jus say, “Holy S***!” That lack of shooting was always going to keep him from an NBA career in today’s 3-point focused league, but I am quite sure he will have a good career in Europe (this season with an Italian club. Anyway, for these reasons, I rank him as the best Badger since 1977. |
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