Feb. 15--Little felt right for Wisconsin in mid-January.
A three-game losing streak had left the floundering Badgers 9-9 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten. Coach Bo Ryan had abruptly retired 12 games into the season, leaving the job in the hands of longtime assistant Greg Gard on an interim basis.
That appearance in the NCAA championship game nine months ago seemed a lifetime away as the Badgers were reduced to Big Ten afterthoughts.
After a 70-65 loss at Northwestern on Jan. 12, Badgers forward Nigel Hayes was honest in his assessment.
"I'm extremely pissed right now with the way things are going," he said. "Got to push the guys and guys will push me. We'll start to do things the right way and get some wins."
He was right about the Badgers finding the right way.
Since that loss, the Badgers (16-9, 8-4) have won seven straight games and appear to be back in the NCAA tournament mix after a validating 70-57 victory Saturday night at No. 2 Maryland.
On, Wisconsin? Wow, Wisconsin!
"We're not worried about Mr. Lunardi's bracketology," Hayes said afterward, referring to ESPN's Joe Lunardi and NCAA tournament projections. "We're just trying to make sure that we get better each and every game."
This turnaround should have more lasting implications than tournament in-or-out debates and potential seeding.
This should be enough to convince Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez that Gard is the man for the job.
The Badgers were 7-5 when Ryan retired. They're 9-4 under Gard. But that doesn't tell the whole story.
Through their seven-game winning streak, the Badgers have beaten Michigan State, Indiana and -- most impressively -- the Terrapins, ending their 27-game home winning streak. They are just two games behind Big Ten leaders Iowa and Indiana and just a half-game out of fourth place -- the lowest the Badgers ever finished under Ryan.
A video clip after the victory against Maryland shows the team celebrating in the locker room.
"I told you we were going to celebrate," Gard said before he was hoisted in the air by players.
With Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker gone to the NBA, it was obvious the Badgers would need to adjust this season. And Gard adjusted by going back to the Wisconsin ways -- the swing offense.
Alvarez plans to launch a national search for a permanent replacement for Ryan at the end of the season, according to CBS Sports. While it's tempting to look for something new, sometimes familiar methods -- and an old standby -- are the best choice.
In this case, Gard has succeeded at the most important part of the interview process. He's winning.
sryan@tribpub.com
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