Wisconsin played an exhibition game Wednesday night, so coach Bo Ryan could be excused for having some bags under his eyes.
“If I look a little tired,” he told reporters Thursday morning, “I’m trying to rally.”
That he did.
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Asked about all the big-name schools on his non-conference slate, he replied: “When you say ‘big names,’ you mean like a lot of letters?”
Well, St. John’s has a few. And Florida. And how about Saint Louis, Virginia and Marquette?
“We’ll be tested early and often,” he said. “Strength of schedule will not be a problem. And if it’s not the youngest team we’ve ever had since I’ve been there, it’s close. We’re trying to get old in a hurry.”
Gone are program stalwarts Ryan Evans, Jared Berggren and Mike Bruesewitz.
This year’s team is younger, and many of the names are easier to spell. But Sam Dekker remains a challenge, both for writers and opposing defenses.
The sophomore averaged 9.6 points in 22.3 minutes last season, and Ryan said: “He’ll have more opportunities to score naturally because of the uptick in minutes.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein