The Wisconsin Basketball season is right around the corner, so I’m taking a look at every scholarship player on the roster. First was Bronson Koenig, second was Zak Showalter, third was Nigel Hayes, and fourth, Vitto Brown. Next up, future All-American Ethan Happ.

Last Season Recap

Alando Tucker. Michael Finley. Sam Dekker. Frank Kaminsky. Jon Leuer. Jordan Taylor. Wisconsin Basketball has had some special players over the years, but none of them, not even Tucker, had as great of a freshman year as Ethan Happ did. While he was technically a redshirt freshman, that didn’t make what he did any less impressive. He averaged 12.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, leading to him winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year over Maryland’s Diamond Stone (hahahaha).

Happ was uber efficient, shooting 54% from the field. That was in large part due to the fact that he only shot from inside the paint. He used his nifty footwork, quickness, and good finishing to dominate inside. At times, Happ looked like Wisconsin’s best offensive player. When he got going, he was unstoppable. He also kept improving as the season went on. He scored 15.3 points and 9.2 rebounds in three NCAA tournament games, going up against professional level big men in the latter two.

Happ was also a good defender, averaging 1.8 steals per game. He was the only Badger representative on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.

Burning Questions

1. Can he stay out of foul trouble?

As good as Happ was last season, he struggled to stay on the floor. He only played 28 minutes per game, in large part because he was always in foul trouble. A big reason for that was because he gambled on a lot of steals. At times, the gambles paid off, but him being on the court is more important to the Badgers than an extra steal or two per game. He needs to be smarter this season.

2. Will he become a threat to shoot outside?

He doesn’t need to become Frank Kaminsky, but it would be nice if Happ had the ability to shoot mid-range jump shots. Not only would it make him more difficult to defend, but it would help the spacing for the whole team. In the Nigel Hayes preview, I criticized him a lot for not driving and settling for jump shots, but part of that is due to Happ’s defender being able to clog the paint.

Gard on Ethan Happ: Wouldn't say he's a prolific shooter, but there is confidence to play on the perimeter.

— Bucky’s 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 17, 2016

Happ has been working on his jump shot, and will probably attempt a few elbow jumpers. If he can hit them and become a threat from there, he will be a much better player and Wisconsin will be a much better team.

3. Will his free throw shooting improve?

Happ shot 64% from the charity stripe last season, which isn’t horrible by any stretch (Just ask Ryan Evans). However, Happ is really good at drawing fouls, and if he can become a better free throw shooter, he will be an even better scorer.

4. Will he take better care of the ball?

One of the only problems with Happ last season was his occasional carelessness with the ball. He averaged a team high 2.2 turnovers per game. Let’s just say he was lucky Bo Ryan retired. Happ needs to do a much better job in that department this season.

5. Can he avoid a sophomore slump?

Sophomore slumps are fairly common in College Basketball. They are generally caused by opposing coaches adjusting to a player’s tendencies after getting to study a year’s worth of tape. A lot of times, it can be difficult for sophomores to adapt to that. Maryland’s Melo Trimble was a good example of that.

However, with all the talent around Happ this season, coaches won’t be able to hone in on him. There are too many other players they have to worry about. In addition, Happ got better as the year went on last season, even after coaches had a lot of tape on him. While sophomore slumps are always a concern, Happ isn’t a likely victim.

206-17 Season Expectations

After a great redshirt freshman year, Happ is ready to take that leap and become one of the best big men in the country. If he can add a solid mid-range jumper, he is going to be nearly impossible to guard. Even without one last year, he was destroying veteran centers like Notre Dame’s Zach Auguste and Xavier’s Jalen Reynolds.

GG on Ethan Happ: He's better (than last year). He's bigger, he's in better shape, he's stronger, he understands the game better.

— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 17, 2016

With his ability in the post and on face-up drives, Happ is going to be the centerpiece of the offense. He is the number one option, and everything on offense should go through him. If he can cut down on his turnovers, fouls, and improve his free throw shooting, he won’t just be an All-Big Ten player, but quite possibly an All-American. He is just that good.

Stat Prediction

15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1 steal, 53% FG, 68% FT.

Award Predictions

• 3rd team All-American
• 1st team All-Big Ten.
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalist