Badgers Show Depth, but No Starting Lineup

For the fourth consecutive game of the young 2010-2011 season the Badgers have started a different starting five. On the other side of the coin for the fourth consecutive game they have shown depth in terms of the bench.

While it may be early in the season, the Badgers are still looking for a consistent starting lineup. Something that head coach Bo Ryan has said on numerous occasion may not be all that important with this group.

In Tuesday's game against North Dakota the Badgers trotted out freshman guard Josh Gasser following his breakout 21 point performance against Prairie View A&M. A game that the talented freshman was unable to repeat against the Fighting Sioux.

Scoring only seven points in his second appearance Gasser was unable to replicate the magic from the first game of the regular season. A performance that was only topped by Badger legend Devin Harris.

While the second game may not have been what Gasser may have wanted, there were bright-spots in other areas for the Badgers. Mainly from the class immediately above him in terms of recruiting.

Sophomore shooting forward Ryan Evans recorded his highest point total of the season coming off the bench with 11 points as well as six rebounds. Fellow sophomore Mike Bruesewitz started for the first time and was able to account for six points in his 16 minutes on the floor.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign of things to come may be the play of senior power forward Keaton Nankivil. The Madison Memorial product scored a season high 17 points in 24 minutes on the floor. Showing the depth the Badgers have at every level of the floor.

The one constant on the team may be the play of senior forward Jon Leuer. Scoring 22 points in 29 minutes on the floor Leuer maintained his average of 23 points a game this season. As well as taking the prize as the leading scorer for the fourth straight game this season.

A final positive from the Badger victory over North Dakota may be the depth and experience the Badgers showed in the game. Going eight deep the Badgers were able to put up 23 bench points possibly showing a deep team that can find points in a lot of different areas. Depth the Badgers may need in their first official test of the season at UNLV on Saturday.