Wisconsin Badgers 2015-16 Basketball Preview: Forwards

Earlier this week we began looking at the 2015-16 version of the Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball program, checking in on the guards and how the backcourt will look. Today we take an in-depth look at the Badgers’ frontcourt, a.k.a. the forwards.

With two of three starters from last season off to the NBA, it is safe to say things are going to look a lot different up front for Bo Ryan’s Badgers in 2015-16. Just how different? Let’s dive in to what the forwards group has to offer this season.

Projected Starters

Ethan Happ (RS Fr.)

2014 Stats — N/A

Welcome to the land of the giants and the land of hype Mr. Happ. After choosing to redshirt last season to focus on getting his body as ready for Big Ten play as possible, Happ steps in to the five spot and the big shoes of the national Player of the Year — Frank Kaminsky. His game is very different, but similar in some aspects, as Happ has all the low post moves Kaminsky possessed and then some. He’s demonstrated an ability that is far beyond his years on the block and is clearly working on expanding his shooting range deeper and deeper. Let’s just say, he’s going to be a star if what his teammates have raved about over the past year or so comes to fruition.

Nigel Hayes (Jr.)

2014 Stats — 12.4 ppg; 6.2 rpg; 1.9 apg

There is no question that Hayes is the leader and star of the 2015-16 Badgers basketball team. He’s had two years of starting experience and quality play to suggest he would’ve had this position regardless. With him being the only returning starter up front, it was made all that easier. However, the question is, can Hayes not press and let his game do the talking? Early on, it appears Hayes is pressing, as he was just 5 of 12 shooting in the exhibition game and seemed more comfortable shooting from the outside than the inside. That was the opposite of what the Badgers really need, and what Hayes put on film last season. If he can be equally deadly inside and out, the Badgers are going to be very difficult to stop. How Hayes handles his increased leadership role and the increased scrutiny on his overall play will be key to UW’s success or failure in 2015-16.

Vitto Brown (Jr.)

2014 Stats — 1.8 ppg; 1.3 rpg; 0.2 apg; 6.3 minutes per game

There’s little doubt that Vitto Brown the defender deserves to get the first crack at a starting role. Vitto Brown the offensive player? That guy has a ton to prove. After all, we’ve seen him throw up more bricks than we care to count and treat the basketball like a hot potato any time he touched it offensively. Sure, he was likely the last option on the court given who UW had to play alongside him, but going in to 2015-16 there has to be more offensive output and confidence shown. It was something Brown acknowledged at Big Ten media day in October, but it was still clear his offensive game was in need of some work over the scrimmage and exhibition game. Watching his progress will be interesting, and it could be an interesting battle for the starting role between Brown and Thomas as the season goes on if both continue on their current trajectory.

Key Reserves

Charlie Thomas (Fr.): Of all the freshmen to sign with this class, Thomas is perhaps the biggest surprise to the scouting services and the least surprising to me. That’s because he came in with a very well-built body and the effort on the defensive end that will make Bo Ryan take notice. What has happened since his arrival on the UW campus is that Thomas also showcased a much improved shot and a confidence on the offensive end that makes him perhaps the highest upside player in the 2015 class. Don’t be surprised to see him splitting time 50-50 or even starting over Vitto Brown by the end of the season.

Khalil Iverson (Fr.): No player came in to the 2015 class with more athletic ability than Iverson, and it is going to be needed in a big way during the 2015-16 season. With combo wing Sam Dekker off to the NBA a year early, no player better fits the role of slasher and athletic defensive player than Iverson. He’s showcased some of that slashing ability, but is also clearly a different player than Dekker. For one, Iverson is not 6-9, but 6-5 and is much more adept at the jump shot than Dekker was at this point in time. Look for Iverson to be the spark plug off the bench this season before likely taking on a bigger role in the coming seasons.

Alex Illikainen (Fr.): With a ton of minutes available and not a lot of experience up front, Illikainen is likely to get some minutes this season. However, he’s got some things to work on before becoming a major contributor to this team — mainly on the strength size and confidence in his offensive game. One will certainly help the other for the 6-9 forward. Illikainen is likely the third option for the Badgers off the bench right now, but keep an eye on his development, because his game is good enough to make him a starter sooner than later in his career.

Andy Van Vliet (Fr.): No player on this team is a bigger enigma than Van Vliet, and it has more to do with what took place between his final year of high school in Belgium and getting to the University of Wisconsin. Currently, the NCAA has ruled Van Vliet ineligible for this season, but the Badgers are appealing that decision. Van Vliet has a lot to offer from the bench if he can get on the court at all this season for Wisconsin, especially as a three-point specialist and a matchup nightmare at 6-10 and with a game that is based on stretching the floor rather than banging down low. If he’s eligible, don’t be surprised to see him getting in the game quickly should the Badgers struggle shooting from deep.

X-Factor: Freshmen

Has there ever been a Bo Ryan-coached team that has relied more on freshmen up front than this one? Not only is redshirt freshman Ethan Happ coming in to this season with a ton of hype and hope in replacing Frank Kaminsky, but three freshmen are expected to contribute in a major way. Van Vliet is the wild card due to his eligibility issue (see above). The good news is Thomas, Iverson and Illikainen all showcased some good effort and skill in the Red-White scrimmage and the exhibition game against Wisconsin-River Falls. If Wisconsin is going to make a run at a top four finish in the Big Ten once again, this group of four freshmen are going to have to step up and be solid players from the word go.