# 2014–15 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team

The 2014–15 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This was Bo Ryan's 14th and final full season as head coach at Wisconsin. The team played their home games at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin and were members of the Big Ten Conference.They finished the season 36–4, 16–2 in Big Ten play to win the Big Ten regular season championship. They defeated Michigan, Purdue, and Michigan State to win the Big Ten tournament and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. This marked the Badgers' 17th straight trip to the Tournament. In the Tournament, they defeated Coastal Carolina and Oregon to advance to their second straight Sweet Sixteen. They defeated North Carolina and Arizona to reach the school's fourth overall and second consecutive Final Four. By upsetting unbeaten Kentucky 71–64 in the Final Four in Indianapolis, the Badgers moved on to play Duke in the National Championship Game, going for their first title in 74 years. However, Wisconsin lost the game 68–63.

## Previous season

The Badgers finished the 2013–14 season 30–8, 12–6 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for a second place. They lost in the semifinals in the Big Ten tournament to Michigan State. They received at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed in the West region. They defeated American and Oregon to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. They defeated Baylor and Arizona to advance to the Final Four. However, they were eliminated by Kentucky in the Final Four.

## Departures

| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Notes |
| Ben Brust | 1 | G | 6'1" | 195 | Senior | Hawthorn Woods, IL | Graduated |
| Zach Bohannon | 34 | F | 6'6" | 210 | RS Senior | Marion, IA | Graduated |
| Evan Anderson | 32 | C | 6'10" | 255 | RS Junior | Stanley, WI | Graduated |

## 2014 Commitments

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Ethan Happ PF | Taylor Ridge, IL | Rockridge | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jun 26, 2013 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| T.J. Schlundt SG | Oconomowoc, WI | SJNMA | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | May 13, 2014 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2014 Wisconsin Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. "Men's Basketball Recruiting". Scout.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. "ESPN- Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball Recruiting". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. ||||||

## Awards

All-Big Ten by Media
* Frank Kaminsky - Player of the Year & 1st team (both unanimous)
* Sam Dekker - 2nd team
* Nigel Hayes - 3rd team
All-Big Ten by Coaches
* Bo Ryan - Coach of the Year
* Frank Kaminsky - Player of the Year & 1st team (unanimous)
* Sam Dekker - 2nd team
* Nigel Hayes - 3rd team
* Josh Gasser - All-Defensive team

## Schedule and results

Source
| Date time, TV | Rank$^#$ | Opponent$^#$ | Result | Record | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Site (attendance) city, state |
| Exhibition |||||||||
| Nov 5* 7:00 pm | No. 3 | UW–Parkside | W 77–40 | – | 19 – Kaminsky | 11 – Tied | 3 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Non-conference regular season |||||||||
| Nov 14* 8:00 pm, BTN | No. 3 | Northern Kentucky | W 62–31 | 1–0 | 16 – Kaminsky | 11 – Kaminsky | 4 – Kaminsky | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Nov 16* 12:00 pm, ESPNews | No. 3 | Chattanooga Battle 4 Atlantis | W 89–45 | 2–0 | 18 – Dekker | 13 – Hayes | 4 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Nov 19* 8:00 pm, BTN | No. 3 | Green Bay | W 84–60 | 3–0 | 25 – Hayes | 15 – Kaminsky | 4 – Jackson | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Nov 22* 9:00 pm, BTN | No. 3 | Boise State | W 78–54 | 4–0 | 26 – Kaminsky | 5 – Tied | 5 – Jackson | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Nov 26* 6:00 pm, AXS TV | No. 2 | vs. UAB Battle 4 Atlantis Quarterfinals | W 72–43 | 5–0 | 16 – Kaminsky | 8 – Kaminsky | 4 – Hayes | Imperial Arena (2,633) Nassau, BAH |
| Nov 27* 2:30 pm, ESPN | No. 2 | vs. Georgetown Battle 4 Atlantis Semifinals | W 68–65 | 6–0 | 17 – Dekker | 7 – Hayes | 4 – Koenig | Imperial Arena (3,204) Nassau, BAH |
| Nov 28* 3:00 pm, ESPN | No. 2 | vs. Oklahoma Battle 4 Atlantis Championship | W 69–56 | 7–0 | 17 – Kaminsky | 7 – Tied | 8 – Jackson | Imperial Arena (2,667) Nassau, BAH |
| Dec 3* 8:30 pm, ESPN | No. 2 | No. 4 Duke ACC–Big Ten Challenge | L 70–80 | 7–1 | 25 – Jackson | 9 – Kaminsky | 3 – Gasser | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Dec 6* 11:30 am, CBS | No. 2 | at Marquette Rivalry | W 49–38 | 8–1 | 15 – Kaminsky | 10 – Kaminsky | 3 – Tied | BMO Harris Bradley Center (18,573) Milwaukee, WI |
| Dec 10* 8:00 pm, ESPN2 | No. 5 | at Milwaukee | W 93–54 | 9–1 | 18 – Kaminsky | 7 – Hayes | 3 – Jackson | UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (10,120) Milwaukee, WI |
| Dec 13* 2:00 pm, BTN | No. 5 | Nicholls State | W 86–43 | 10–1 | 17 – Dekker | 8 – Hayes | 4 – Kaminsky | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Dec 22* 8:00 pm, ESPN2 | No. 6 | at California | W 68–56 | 11–1 | 17 – Hayes | 13 – Hayes | 4 – Jackson | Haas Pavilion (11,877) Berkeley, CA |
| Dec 28* 7:00 pm, BTN | No. 6 | Buffalo | W 68–56 | 12–1 | 25 – Kaminsky | 11 – Kaminsky | 5 – Jackson | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Big Ten regular season |||||||||
| Dec 31 12:00 pm, BTN | No. 4 | Penn State | W 89–72 | 13–1 (1–0) | 21 – Hayes | 14 – Kaminsky | 3 – Hayes | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Jan 4 7:30 pm, BTN | No. 4 | at Northwestern | W 81–58 | 14–1 (2–0) | 16 – Tied | 10 – Kaminsky | 6 – Tied | Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117) Evanston, IL |
| Jan 7 6:00 pm, BTN | No. 4 | Purdue | W 62–55 | 15–1 (3–0) | 21 – Kaminsky | 5 – Tied | 2 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Jan 11 5:00 pm, BTN | No. 4 | at Rutgers | L 62–67 | 15–2 (3–1) | 15 – Tied | 10 – Hayes | 5 – Hayes | The RAC (6,987) Piscataway, NJ |
| Jan 15 8:00 pm, ESPN2 | No. 7 | Nebraska | W 70–55 | 16–2 (4–1) | 22 – Kaminsky | 7 – Hayes | 4 – Hayes | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Jan 20 8:00 pm, ESPN | No. 6 | No. 25 Iowa | W 82–50 | 17–2 (5–1) | 17 – Dekker | 11 – Kaminsky | 6 – Kaminsky | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Jan 24 6:00 pm, ESPN | No. 6 | at Michigan College GameDay | W 69–64 $^{OT}$ | 18–2 (6–1) | 22 – Kaminsky | 9 – Kaminsky | 4 – Koenig | Crisler Center (12,579) Ann Arbor, MI |
| Jan 31 11:00 am, ESPN | No. 5 | at Iowa | W 74–63 | 19–2 (7–1) | 24 – Kaminsky | 9 – Kaminsky | 3 – Hayes | Carver–Hawkeye Arena (15,400) Iowa City, IA |
| Feb 3 6:00 pm, ESPN | No. 5 | No. 25 Indiana | W 92–78 | 20–2 (8–1) | 23 – Kaminsky | 6 – Tied | 3 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Feb 7 4:30 pm, BTN | No. 5 | Northwestern | W 65–50 | 21–2 (9–1) | 16 – Tied | 9 – Gasser | 5 – Kaminsky | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Feb 10 8:00 pm, ESPN | No. 5 | at Nebraska | W 65–55 | 22–2 (10–1) | 21 – Dekker | 12 – Kamisnky | 4 – Kaminsky | Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,701) Lincoln, NE |
| Feb 15 12:00 pm, CBS | No. 5 | Illinois | W 68–49 | 23–2 (11–1) | 23 – Kaminsky | 11 – Kaminsky | 4 – Koenig | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Feb 18 6:00 pm, BTN | No. 5 | at Penn State | W 55–47 | 24–2 (12–1) | 22 – Dekker | 13 – Hayes | 4 – Koenig | Bryce Jordan Center (7,132) University Park, PA |
| Feb 21 11:00 am, ESPN | No. 5 | Minnesota | W 63–53 | 25–2 (13–1) | 21 – Kaminsky | 7 – Hayes | 3 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Feb 24 6:00 pm, ESPN | No. 5 | at No. 14 Maryland | L 53–59 | 25–3 (13–2) | 18 – Kaminsky | 9 – Dekker | 2 – Tied | Xfinity Center (17,950) College Park, MD |
| Mar 1 3:00 pm, CBS | No. 5 | Michigan State | W 68–61 | 26–3 (14–2) | 31 – Kaminsky | 9 – Dekker | 3 – Tied | Kohl Center (17,279) Madison, WI |
| Mar 5 6:00 pm, ESPN | No. 6 | at Minnesota | W 76–63 | 27–3 (15–2) | 25 – Kaminsky | 9 – Hayes | 7 – Kaminsky | Williams Arena (14,625) Minneapolis, MN |
| Mar 8 3:30 pm, CBS | No. 6 | at No. 23 Ohio State | W 72–48 | 28–3 (16–2) | 20 – Kaminsky | 8 – Tied | 3 – Kaminsky | Value City Arena (18,077) Columbus, OH |
| Big Ten tournament |||||||||
| Mar 13 11:00 am, ESPN | No. 6 | vs. Michigan Quarterfinals | W 71–60 | 29–3 | 17 – Dekker | 12 – Kaminsky | 6 – Dekker | United Center (17,290) Chicago, IL |
| Mar 14 12:00 pm, CBS | No. 6 | vs. Purdue Semifinals | W 71–51 | 30–3 | 19 – Koenig | 8 – Dekker | 5 – Tied | United Center (18,088) Chicago, IL |
| Mar 15 2:30 pm, CBS | No. 6 | vs. Michigan State Championship game | W 80–69 $^{OT}$ | 31–3 | 25 – Hayes | 5 – Tied | 9 – Koenig | United Center (17,213) Chicago, IL |
| NCAA tournament |||||||||
| Mar 20* 8:20 pm, TBS | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (16 W) Coastal Carolina Second round | W 86–72 | 32–3 | 27 – Kaminsky | 12 – Kaminsky | 4 – Tied | CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,534) Omaha, NE |
| Mar 22* 6:40 pm, truTV | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (8 W) Oregon Third round | W 72–65 | 33–3 | 17 – Dekker | 7 – Kaminsky | 4 – Gasser | CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,563) Omaha, NE |
| Mar 26* 6:47 pm, TBS | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (4 W) No. 15 North Carolina Sweet Sixteen | W 79–72 | 34–3 | 23 – Dekker | 10 – Dekker | 4 – Tied | Staples Center (18,809) Los Angeles, CA |
| Mar 28* 5:09 pm, TBS | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (2 W) No. 5 Arizona Elite Eight | W 85–78 | 35–3 | 29 – Kaminsky | 6 – Kaminsky | 4 – Hayes | Staples Center (19,125) Los Angeles, CA |
| Apr 4* 7:45 pm, TBS | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (1 MW) No. 1 Kentucky Final Four | W 71–64 | 36–3 | 20 – Kaminsky | 11 – Kaminsky | 2 – Tied | Lucas Oil Stadium (72,238) Indianapolis, IN |
| Apr 6* 8:10 pm, CBS | (1 W) No. 3 | vs. (1 S) No. 4 Duke National Championship | L 63–68 | 36–4 | 21 – Kaminsky | 12 – Kaminsky | 4 – Koenig | Lucas Oil Stadium (71,149) Indianapolis, IN |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. W=West region, MW=Midwest region, S=South region. All times are in Central Time. |||||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Final |
| AP | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Coaches | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 |

## Player statistics

* As of April 7, 2015

## Season highs

| | | Player | Game | Date |
| Points | 31 | Frank Kaminsky | vs. Michigan State | March 1, 2015 |
| Rebounds | 15 | Frank Kaminsky | vs. Green Bay | November 19, 2014 |
| Assists | 9 | Bronson Koenig | vs. Michigan State | March 15, 2015 |
| Steals | 4 | Frank Kaminsky | at Marquette | December 6, 2014 |
| Steals | 4 | Josh Gasser | at Milwaukee | December 10, 2014 |
| Blocks | 7 | Frank Kaminsky | vs. Green Bay | November 19, 2014 |

## Departures

Following the 2014-15 season seniors Frank Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Traevon Jackson and Duje Dukan had all exhausted their NCAA eligibility. Following their NCAA championship defeat when Nigel Hayes was asked if he would declare for the NBA draft he said, "I'm nowhere near good enough to do anything but come back." On April 10 Sam Dekker chose to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2015 NBA Draft.

### NBA draft selections

| Year | Round | Pick | Overall | Player | NBA Club |
| 2015 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Frank Kaminsky | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2015 | 1 | 18 | 18 | Sam Dekker | Houston Rockets |