Oct. 13, 2012
MADISON, Wis. -- Marking the official start of the 2012-13 basketball season, Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers tipped off with a two-hour practice at the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion Saturday morning. After months of limited organized team workouts, per new NCAA rules, the Badgers began preparing for the upcoming season the only way they know how: passing and catching drills and a heavy dose of defensive conditioning. Wisconsin will gradually continue this process as it prepares for visiting Southeastern Louisiana in the Badgers' Nov. 11 season-opener at the Kohl Center.
Notables:
- Theoretically, the Badgers are ahead of schedule in terms of team practices. Due to a new NCAA rule, coaches could be with their teams during the summer if they were enrolled in classes. Team workouts for two hours a week could occur beginning Sept. 15.
- Former Badger Mike Wilkinson (2001-05) participated in practice drills as he rehabs his surgically-repaired shoulder. Wilkinson currently plays for UNICS Kazan of the Euroleague.
- UW stressed fundamentals that are a signature of the team: ball-handling, partner passing, ball fakes, defending the baseline, transition defense, rebounding
- Mike Bruesewitz was present and although sidelined, was fully involved in practice. Bruesewitz remains high-spirited as he recovers from surgery to his recently-lacerated lower right leg.
Like the UW men's basketball page on Facebook to see a photo gallery from the first practice.
