Dekker Leads Wisconsin's Bounce-Back Win

The narrative about Wisconsin Badgers' basketball season changed in the past couple of weeks. They went
from being an undefeated team to a team one game under .500 in conference midway through the season. Badgers' narrative can change again though without question, but they need to start winning again. It started against Illinois on Tuesday night with a 75-63 road victory with a big performance from Sam Dekker, good Traevon Jackson came to play and just how good is Nigel Hayes?

Last couple of games have been rough on Dekker as he struggled to put up shots as well as got 'benched' by his head coach in the second half of the Ohio State game. It seemed like the Badgers sophomore forward played angry on Tuesday night, and most of it came from long distance. Dekker had 16 points going four of seven from three along with another field goal and a couple free throws. We can debate all day whether Dekker wanted to prove a point to his head coach, but I do not think it is a coincidence Dekker has a big game following a season-low in minutes and points

There is nothing wrong with having a game where Dekker is red hot from distance rather than taking it to the lane. Sure there would be a need for Dekker to be more aggressive down, but there is no need if he has it going from distance Although if Dekker can put all together when he has a game that features him dominating down low as well as making four or five threes, he could be one of the best players in the country. Imagine what Doug McDermott does on a nightly basis, but two inches taller, that's what Dekker could be doing if everything is going for him.

Once again, this game is proof of how good Wisconsin can be when good Traevon Jackson comes to play versus the bad version. He draws a ton of ire from fans, but Jackson puts out productive games every now and again keeping him as a starter. Jackson had 14 points with seven rebounds and three assists on 4/7 shooting. This is the type of game Badger fans want on a consistent basis from Jackson. In five of Wisconsin's six losses, Jackson has more than 10 shots. Only one of those games, Indiana, did Jackson shoot over 50 percent. He is a much better player when he is only shooting seven to eight times and attempting to get the basket versus wild 3-point attempts. If Jackson keeps this up, Wisconsin becomes a different team.

Right now, Wisconsin seems to have the best freshman in the Big Ten. While Nigel Hayes does not have the numbers for  Freshman of the Year consideration, he might by the end of the month. In the last two games, Hayes shot 11/14 from the field with a combined 31 points which is two fewer than his combined point total in his last five games in conference. Hayes is putting it all together and becoming a great sixth man off the bench. He will without question be a starter next year, and likely push Dekker to the three position as Hayes feels more like a four. With Hayes, Wisconsin adds more size and toughness giving them a nice compliment rotation with the three guard system with Josh Gasser, Jackson and Ben Brust. Hayes will only continue to get better.

Wisconsin tries to break their three-game home losing streak against rival Michigan State. Another narrative springs up with both teams as Wisconsin fans love to think 'Bo owns Izzo' given Ryan's success against Spartans head coach Tom Izzo.  Although Michigan State has won their last five meetings so who really owns who?

Charlie.