An Ode to Bo Ryan

As many now know, legendary Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. I knew that Ryan was going to retire relatively soon, but I was still in shock about it. It just seemed like Bo was going to coach forever.

Ten years ago, football head coach Barry Alvarez announced that he would retire at the end of the end of the 2005 season. This is a similar situation this year with Ryan. Alvarez hand picked his successor in Bret Bielema. He was (and still is) the Badgers AD, so he could do that without going through a coaching search. Ryan stated his support for Associate Head Coach Greg Gard to be his successor.

Back in 2001, I remember coming home from school and being so upset upon hearing Wisconsin, led by Brad Soderberg, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Georgia State. I had no idea who would take over the team. Wisconsin was a decent program. but far from the force it became under the direction of Ryan. The Badgers had gone to the Final Four in 2000, but most consider that a fluke. Wisconsin decided to hire Ryan, who had gone a modest 30-27 in his two seasons at Milwaukee, but it was major progress for a program that had not had back-to-back winning seasons in nearly a decade.

Nobody thought that the Badgers would be where they are today back 15 years ago. Nobody. But that is exactly what he did. He has won four Big Ten championships, including winning his first year when the Badgers had eight scholarship players. Wisconsin had not won a Big Ten championship since 1947, but Ryan won it in each of his first two seasons.

But Ryan was always considered "underrated" by many up until the 2013-14 season. Wisconsin was always considered a good program under Ryan, but never a top program. The Badgers had only made the Elite 8 once in Ryan's 12 years at Wisconsin. The Badgers had consistently made the Sweet 16, but could not get over the hump. Most people thought Wisconsin would have a typical Wisconsin year in 2013-14.....a nice season, finish about fourth in the Big Ten and then lose in the Sweet 16. Then Frank Kaminsky came along. Wisconsin started out 16-0, but lost five of six and many thought the Badgers would struggle to make the tournament. But Bo turned that team around en route to a matchup with Arizona in the Elite 8. 

Prior to the season, Bo Ryan's father Butch passed away. Every year, Bo and Butch went to the Final Four. But in the first season following Butch's death, Wisconsin had a chance to go to the Final Four on March 28. That day would have been Butch's 90th birthday. Wisconsin won 64-63 to give Bo Ryan his first Final Four appearance.

I did not think in my lifetime that the Badgers would play in a college football or basketball national championship game, but that is exactly what happened this past season. Wisconsin knocked off Arizona once again to get to the Final Four, which set the table for the arguably the biggest win in school history. Kentucky was 38-0 and Wisconsin was 35-3. Sam Dekker drained a step back 3-pointer to put the Badgers ahead for good to end Kentucky's undefeated run and get revenge for the Final Four game the year before.

When I was 12 years old, there was no way I thought the Badgers would make it to the championship, but that just shows how far Bo has brought this program.

In this day and age when one-and-dones are the way to go, Ryan has had two players in his tenure leave early, Devin Harris and Sam Dekker, who both left after their junior years. But for the most part, Ryan has done it the old fashioned way, with player development. Kaminsky is a prime example. He started two games in his first two years, and in neither year did he average more than five points per game. He improved to become a first team All-Big Ten player his junior season and was the West Regional's Most Outstanding Player. Then came his senior season. Kaminsky averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in becoming the first Wisconsin player to ever win the Naismith, Wooden and Oscar Robertson Awards. For as much as he improved from his sophomore to junior years, he improved even more between his junior and senior years. He helped the Badgers reach the NCAA title game for the first time since 1941.

Jordan Taylor is another player who improved greatly, and ended up becoming an All-American his junior season at Wisconsin. There are numerous other examples, but these two are probably the most prime examples.

And finally, he is great at turning teenagers who come into Wisconsin as freshmen into men by the time they leave school. Player after player is coming up and telling how Ryan has influenced them and helped them become the man they are today. That is even more important than how he is as a coach on gamedays. 

There are so many great memories with Bo. It is incredible how far the program has come since he took over the program. I do not know how the Badgers can sustain the success, but I have a feeling Greg Gard (if he is indeed hired) will be up to the challenge. With all of the success and accolades on and off the court, one thing is for sure: He will certainly be missed. Not only at Wisconsin, but in the Big Ten and the country as well...

Mock NBA Draft

Draft day is finally upon us and my Minnesota Timberwolves have the first overall pick for the first time in franchise history. I have not made an NBA mock since 2011 (the only reason I remember was because it was the draft with the Morris twins), so I have decided to make one now since the Wolves are picking first...

1) Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

Towns has the highest upside in the draft, in my opinion. He is kind of like a Kevin Garnett, who the Wolves drafted No.5 overall 20 years ago. If Minnesota gets anything close to Garnett in Towns, it will have been a good pick. The Wolves have struggled on defense and Towns will help be an anchor down low. Nikola Pekovic will also be out until at least January and who knows how many games he will play when does come back.

2) Los Angeles Lakers: Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

If I were LA, I would take D'Angelo Russell here, but I am not. Okafor likely will be the pick here, which will bring up a debate whether he and 2014 first round pick Julius Randle can play together. I have my doubts, which is why I would select Russell. Okafor is the best offensive big to come out in years, but his defense is not very good, to put it nicely. If he improves his defense, though, and that is a big if, then he will be one of the best centers in the NBA.

3) Philadelphia 76ers: D'Angelo Russell, PG, Ohio State

I am a big Russell fan. I think he is the second best player in this draft. After trading Michael Carter-Williams during the season, point guard has become a major hole in the 76ers starting lineup. Granted, Philadelphia is probably the least talented team in the NBA, so it could go in any number of directions. They are rumored to be selecting Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis, but that may just be a smokescreen. One of the things that worries me about Russell is that he tended to disappear against better competition. However, the potential is there for Russell to be a big-time guard for many years.

4. New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia

His stock has soared the past few weeks. It is to the point where I believe this is a four person draft and New York will take the last remaining of the four. He was even in discussion to go to LA and No. 2. Orlando is also rumored to be really high on Porzingis, and may try to trade up with Philadelphia to take him. He is a typical European big man, who is a stretch four. He runs the floor well and it is not easy to find a seven footer with his type of athleticism. The Knicks could also take Emmanuel Mudiay here.

5. Orlando Magic: Justise Winslow, SG/SF, Duke

For me, if they are not able to trade up, I think this pick will come down to Winslow against Mudiay. But Orlando selected Elfrid Payton in the first round a year ago, so I think Winslow will be the selection. He is one of the more athletic players in the draft and can knock down the 3. He came up big in the NCAA Tournament, especially against Utah when the Utes made a run to cut into a big Duke lead. Mario Herzonja could also be a pick here.

6. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Congo

Darren Collison is the point guard right now and he is a good one, but it is hard to pass up a talent like Mudiay.. Rudy Gay and Demarcus Cousins are rumored to be on the trading block, so I could see the Kings taking Herzonja or Stanley Johnson here. Mudiay was the No. 1 pick at this time last year, but backed out of a commitment to SMU to play in Congo. He is one of those guys who could go anywhere from 4-7, but I have him going to Sacramento.

7. Denver Nuggets: Mario Herzonja, SG/SF, Croatia

Denver is rumored to be trying to trade point guard Ty Lawson, so if Mudiay falls to the Nuggets at pick seven, it is a slam dunk that he is the pick. The Nuggets like Herzonja and is a good fit for the new Mike Malone offense. He has a lot of potential and I don't see him falling past eight at the latest, but I have him going to Denver.

8. Detroit Pistons: Stanley Johnson, SF, Arizona

Detroit is looking at the small forward position at No. 8. If Herzonja is there, Detroit would take him, but I have them going with Johnson. He has a ton of potential. He has great size for the position, even by NBA standards. Sam Dekker had a great workout with the Pistons and could be another option for them, if they pass on Johnson.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Frank Kaminsky, PF, Wisconsin

Charlotte traded away Gerald Henderson and last year's first rounder Noah Vonleh to Portland for Nicolas Batum, which opens the door for the Hornets to select Kaminsky, the 2014-15 National Player of the Year. The Hornets are rumored to really like him. Kaminsky is one of the best shooters in the draft and has some great post moves. In the Final Four, he was the best player on the court,and he went up against Towns and Okafor, the likely first two picks. The two weaknesses for Kaminsky is that he needs to get stronger to go up against big-time low post players and he also is pretty old for a prospect (he is 22), which makes scouts wonder how much better he can become/

10. Miami Heat: Myles Turner, C, Texas

I am not sold on Hassan Whiteside being able to sustain the type of success he had this year. I do believe he would be a solid rotational big man. Turner is very athletic and has a nice jump shot. He is very raw, but has a lot of potential.

11. Indiana Pacers: Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

Roy Hibbert is falling out of favor with the Pacers and Larry Bird is a big fan of Cauley-Stein's. Cauley-Stein is all defense as he anchored the best defense in modern history this past season at Kentucky, but his offense is virtually non-existent. He also was exposed a bit in the Final Four against Frank Kaminsky, but Frank the Tank did that to a lot of players.

12. Utah Jazz: Trey Lyles, PF, Kentucky

Lyles is an intriguing prospect in the fact that he is a bit of an unknown considering he was playing out of position this past season with Kentucky surplus of big men (as evidenced by three going in the top 12 here). He is one of those players that could go anywhere in the teens. I think Utah takes Cauley-Stein if he is here, but they settle for another Kentucky big man.

13. Phoenix Suns: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin

Dekker is one of those prospects who no one knows for sure where he will be taken. I have seen him as high as eight and have seen him go to Miami a number of times. Many times over his career Dekker would stand at the 3-point line and jack up three pointers. If Phoenix gets that Dekker, then he is second round prospect. But if they get an attacking Sam Dekker like in the NCAA Tournament, especially the North Carolina game, then they are getting a potential steal here at 13. His biggest weakness is his shooting consistency. Everyone saw what he is capable of in the NCAA Tournament, but he needs to do it more consistently. If he does that, he will end up being one of the best players in the draft.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devin Booker, SG, Kentucky

Booker is one of the best shooters in the draft. Oklahoma City could also go with Cameron Payne, but shooting guard is a troubled spot for the Thunder and Oklahoma City could use a great shooter like Booker.

15. Atlanta Hawks: Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas

DeMarre Carroll is a free agent this offseason, so Atlanta could use a small forward. He has a lot of potential. He needs to gain strength, but he has the potential to put Atlanta over the top in the Eastern Conference.

16. Boston Celtics: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State

Boston is a candidate to trade up. They have plenty of picks. Boston's problem is that it has no stars, but has a bunch of solid players. Hunter was not considered a top prospect before the season, but has launched himself into the first round, even with a subpar season by his standards. He was constantly being double and triple teamed and tended to force shots, which was a big reason why his percentages are not great this year. But make no mistake about it, Hunter is one of the best shooters in the draft and could help Boston out right from the start.

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State

Milwaukee is looking to unload Michael Carter-Williams in order to move up, which tells be they are not all that pleased with him after being acquired from Philadelphia. Milwaukee has a nice young nucleus and Payne would a good piece to add to the puzzle.

18. Houston Rockets: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke

It is no secret that Houston wants a point guard. They are reportedly interested in Toronto's Greivis Vasquez and have been linked to Jones, among other point guards. I think they decide on Jones over Jerian Grant to try and help the Rockets get back to the Western Conference Finals and beyond.

19. Washington Wizards: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas

Washington is surprised to see Bobby Portis here. He is the best player available. He has great size as a power forward. They need a big man to go along with a lethal backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal.

20. Toronto Raptors: Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

Looney is a very talented big man who, in my opinion, should have stayed in school another year, but has a great deal of potential. He has a solid mid range shot and has potential to be very good at the defensive side of the floor as well.

21. Dallas Mavericks: Jerian Grant, PG, Notre Dame

Rajon Rondo and J.J. Barea are both free agents and Monta Ellis declined his option,  so he is also a free agent, which leaves Dallas with Devin Harris at point guard. I am a huge Harris fan, but he is on the wrong side of 30, so there needs to be new blood to come in at the position and I think Dallas addresses that with its first rounder.

22. Chicago Bulls: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona

He is limited on offense, but the potential is there. He has done well in workouts and is a great defender. New coach Fred Hoiberg will have a solid piece to build around.

23. Porland Trail Blazers: Justin Anderson, SG/SF, Virginia

After the trade of Nicolas Batum to Charlotte, I have the Blazers replacing him with another wing. I don't see Gerald Henderson as the answer for them. Montrezl Harrell could be another guy they take with LaMarcus Aldridge headed to free agency and unlikely to re-sign in Portland.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville

With Kevin Love opting out, making him a free agent, both of Cleveland's power forwards are free agents. I do believe that the Cavaliers will re-sign one of the two, but I don't think they will re-sign them both. Harrell would be a terrific pick for the Cavs as they try to return to the NBA Finals.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Jarell Martin, PF, LSU

Zach Randolph is getting up there in age, so a power forward would make sense. Martin could sit and play behind Randolph and be ready to play in a few years.

26. San Antonio Spurs: Delon Wright, PG, Utah

Tony Parker is getting up there in age, so an heir apparent would be a wise choice. Gregg Popovich is also still the coach for San Antonio and would help turn Wright into a big-time performer.

27. Los Angeles Lakers: Rashad Vaughn, SG, UNLV

Vaughn's stock has risen in recent weeks, so he could very easily be picked in the top 20. The Lakers get a potential steal here. Vaughn is a big-time player who could learn under Kobe Bryant in his final years with the Lakers and then row with players like Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and projected second pick Jahlil Okafor.

28. Boston Celtics: Cliff Alexander, PF, Kansas

There is no guarantee that this pick will be made by Boston tonight, but as it is right now, I will have them taking Alexander. He has lottery pick potential, but has not put it all together.

29. Brooklyn Nets: Terry Rozier, PG, Louisville

I like Rozier as a prospect and Deron Williams turns 31 tomorrow and has been on the decline for years. The Nets grab Rozier in hopes of pushing Williams for the starting spot or at the very least, be a capable backup.

30. Golden State Warriors: Chris McCullough, PF, Syracuse

McCullough is a perfect fit for Golden State's up tempo offense. He is lethal in the open court and as young player, it would be beneficial if he is able to sit back and not have to contribute right away. His season ended early due to a knee injury.