Wisconsin Basketball: Complete Roster, Season Preview for 2014-15 Badgers

Wisconsin goes into the 2014-15 season dealing with an unfamiliar feeling: the pressure to live up to massive expectations.

The Badgers have been one of the most consistent teams in the nation, earning an NCAA tournament bid in each of Bo Ryan's 13 seasons with the program. However, this season might be "championship or bust" after returning most of last year's Final Four team.

A No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press poll represents the highest-ever preseason mark for Wisconsin and only the third time it started the year in the Top 10. As a result, the squad will have a target on its back the entire year and will get the best effort from every opponent it faces.

The talent is there to bring home a national title, but will this squad wilt under the pressure?

Here is a guide to the Badgers' upcoming season with predictions for what to expect in 2014-15.

Ethan Happ (Power Forward)

Without many scholarship openings, a deep class was not needed, as Ethan Happ was the only major recruit for the Badgers. While he possesses nice upside as a skilled forward, he still is unlikely to make too much of an impact in his first season with the program.

On the plus side, he is a quality rebounder who can earn minutes early in his career by doing the dirty work in the low post.

Riley Dearring (Shooting Guard)

Though technically not a newcomer, Riley Dearring redshirted in 2013-14, so he will hope to see his first action this season.

The year off should help him immensely, as he was given time to bulk up his thin frame to the point that he now has prototypical size for a 2-guard. If he can gain some consistency with his outside shot, he can be a quality contributor off the bench.

Frank Kaminsky (Center)

One of the most improved players in the nation last season, Frank Kaminsky went from averaging just 4.2 points in 10.3 minutes per game as a sophomore to being the team's leading scorer last season at 13.9 points per game.

He truly showed his ability down the stretch, averaging 18.3 points per game in his last six contests as a major part of the team's Final Four run. He enters this year as a preseason All-American, but he will have to show more consistency as a senior.

Sam Dekker (Forward)

A potential NBA lottery pick this season, Sam Dekker has to improve his efficiency on the offensive end. At his peak, though, he is one of the most versatile players in the game with great shooting, handle and athleticism to score at the basket.

Traevon Jackson (Point Guard)

Jackson is the perfect leader for Bo Ryan's system as a composed point guard who does not make many mistakes. He might need to take on more of a playmaking role for Wisconsin to reach the next level. 

Josh Gasser (Guard)

Gasser led the team with a 43.1 percent mark from three-point range last season and will be even more important this year with his ability to stretch the defense. His free-throw shooting ability will also be valuable late in games.

Bo Ryan certainly knows what he has in a roster that returns seven of eight regular rotation members from last season. Here is a look at the projected starting lineup, with a full roster available at UWBadgers.com.

Starting Lineup

PG: Traevon Jackson

SG: Josh Gasser

SF: Bronson Koenig

PF: Sam Dekker

C: Frank Kaminsky

Key Bench Players

Nigel Hayes (Forward), Duje Dukan (Forward), Vitto Brown (Forward), Zak Showalter (Guard)

The biggest question mark with the lineup is how to replace the departed Ben Brust, the team's second-leading scorer from last season. Nigel Hayes might get a chance to give the team more size inside, but Bronson Koenig seems like a better fit with his outside shooting in what would be a fluid, three-guard lineup. 

Either way, you can be certain both players will get a lot of playing time throughout the year.

Otherwise, the lineup is set, with four returning starters creating one of the best groups in the nation. If Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker can become more consistent scorers, this will be a very tough group to defend.

Rebounding

Although Wisconsin's pace is never going to allow the team to put up big rebounding numbers per game, the work on the glass still needs to improve. The Badgers ranked just 117th in the country in total rebounding rate last season, mostly due to the inefficiency on the offensive end of the court, where they rated 263rd with a 26.4 percent success rate.

Crashing the offensive boards often leads to poor transition defense, but it also leads to easy baskets and more efficient offenses. With long shots creating long rebounds, Wisconsin has an opportunity to really put teams away by going after loose balls.

Additionally, it is vital for the bigs inside to take care of business on the defensive end to limit chances for opposing teams.

Replacing Ben Brust

It was previously mentioned that Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes will try to take over the guard's spot in the lineup, but Ben Brust did a lot of things to help the team last season. Even if you replace his scoring and defense, losing his energy and leadership is another problem.

Traevon Jackson might have to become more aggressive on both ends of the court to truly become the senior leader he is capable of being.

That being said, replacing just one key player is a dream for most college basketball teams coming into the year.

Stars Becoming Stars

Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker have each shown the ability to be stars at the college level with the potential to make an impact in the NBA. However, there is a big difference between having a few big games and having a great season.

Each player needs to take the next step this year to be consistent producers every single game. This could be the best two-man tandem in the entire nation, but it will be up to them to reach this potential.

Best-Case Scenario

Frank Kaminsky plays like he did down the stretch last season and becomes one of the toughest players in the nation to defend. Sam Dekker also plays to his star potential, while Traevon Jackson and the supporting cast continue to do their parts.

With a senior-laden roster, Wisconsin wins tough games throughout the year both home and away, leading to a Big Ten title in a conference without any other elite teams.

As a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Badgers continue to cruise to the Final Four, where they use their experience to best younger opponents like Kentucky or Duke and win a national championship.

Worst-Case Scenario

The Badgers remain balanced on offense, which leads to problems when no one steps up to make necessary baskets late in games. They lose close games against quality opponents during a relatively difficult schedule.

Wisconsin is still talented enough to remain competitive in the Big Ten, but a deep group of above-average teams push the Badgers down to fifth in the conference standings.

With a No. 4 or 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Badgers are matched up against a quality foe in the opening round that takes advantage when the outside shooting goes cold. A solid but disappointing season is ended in the round of 64.

Wisconsin has everything you want in a top contender. Star power, balance, great coaching and plenty of experience will help the squad have a big season from start to finish.

The Battle 4 Atlantis can be a proving ground for this team with tough opponents like North Carolina, Florida and others. While the younger squads are learning how to work together, the Badgers veterans will help bring home an early-season tournament title.

Although the Big Ten conference season will feature its share of challenges in tough environments, Wisconsin should be able to win enough to bring home a regular-season title.

Once in the NCAA tournament, Wisconsin will use its lessons from last season to make another deep run and get a second consecutive trip to the Final Four.

Unfortunately, this is where the party ends, as loaded teams like Kentucky, Arizona and Duke prove to be too much of a challenge athletically. Wisconsin ends its season in the same place as a year ago with a loss in the national semifinals.