Wisconsin Basketball: Final Grades for the Badgers' 2014-15 Season

It was a magical ride for the Wisconsin Badgers (36-4), one that included a national semifinal victory over the previously undefeated Kentucky Wildcats. But in the end, it was a season that ended in heartbreak for National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky and head coach Bo Ryan.

The tone for the Badgers' 2014-15 season had been set in the last game of the previous season when the Badgers lost to Kentucky in the 2014 Final Four. That loss stung badly, but it motivated Wisconsin to play high-level basketball throughout the season and then turn it up a notch during the NCAA tournament.

Wisconsin appeared to be on its way to a national title as it led Duke by nine points in the second half of the title game. However, Duke found a way to shift the momentum, come back in the game and rip the title out of the Badgers' hands with a 68-63 victory.

It was heartbreaking and gut-wrenching for the Badgers in the end, but the season was still a brilliant one overall. Ryan's team played with pride, poise and efficiency throughout the season, and it dominated the Big Ten.

Wisconsin's dream of a national championship was denied, and that's going to sting for a long time. Still, the Badgers deserve high grades for their accomplishments during the year, and they were a very worthy No. 2 team this season.

Final Statistics: 18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 103 assists, 57 blocks, 33 steals, .547 FG, .780 FT

The Badgers put a lot on senior forward Frank Kaminsky's plate this season, and he delivered in nearly every measurable way.

The 7'0", 242-pound power forward displayed the ability to dominate down low, shoot the ball well from the outside, handle the ball and play tough, hard-nosed defense. Kaminsky played with intelligence and passion, and he brought Wisconsin to the precipice of the national championship in 2015.

Kaminsky couldn't stop Duke center Jahlil Okafor in the game's final minutes. His back-to-back baskets gave Duke a 63-58 lead with 2:10 remaining, and the Badgers were unable to respond.

That finish may cloud the finish of Kaminsky's season, but overall it was a remarkable year.

Grade: A

Final Statistics: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 49 assists, 18 blocks, 21 steals, .525 FG, .708 FT

Sam Dekker may have been Robin to Kaminsky's Batman, and he played the role with drive, determination and effectiveness. Dekker thrived in the role as the Badgers' No. 2 player, and the 6'9" junior often exceeded expectations with his athleticism and ability to rise to the moment.

He was never better than he was in the national semifinal win over Kentucky. Dekker scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and that included hitting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. That was not the case against Duke, as he went just 6-of-15 and 0-of-6 from three-point range.

Dekker's ability to slice through the defense and find the open spot allowed him to score key baskets throughout the season. Ryan depended on Dekker to take the pressure off Kaminsky, and he did it on a regular basis.

Grade: A-

Final Statistics: 12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 79 assists, 16 blocks, 34 steals, .497 FG, .744 FT

Nigel Hayes figures to become one of the leaders for the Badgers in the 2015-16 season after his high level of success as an athletic power forward this year.

Hayes was able to dominate at times when he ran the court hard and went to the glass with determination. He did this most of the time, but when he went up against the highest level of competition, it was often difficult for him to sustain his productivity.

Hayes is a powerful player who has soft hands and a good shooting touch. Ryan needed Hayes to come through on a regular basis as a sophomore, and he did that consistently. His junior year should be even better.

Grade: B+

Final Statistics: 8.7 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 98 assists, 8 blocks, 9 steals, .414 FG, .812 FT

Bronson Koenig did an outstanding job of handling the ball and finding open teammates throughout the season. However, he was not a typical unselfish college basketball guard. 

There was a lot more to Koenig's game besides dribbling upcourt and distributing the ball to open teammates. After taking over as the lead guard following Traevon Jackson's January foot injury, he was not afraid to take the ball into the lane. Koenig aggressively went to the hole and challenged much bigger and stronger players. Additionally, he was comfortable taking big outside shots and hit them regularly.

Koenig will be one of Ryan's key players going forward, and he will have a ton of confidence after an excellent season in 2014-15.

Grade: B+

Final Statistics: 8.1 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 54 assists, 3 blocks, 19 steals, .432 FG, .851 FT

Traevon Jackson was one of the mainstays of the Wisconsin basketball program until he suffered a foot injury in mid-January that sidelined him until the Badgers reached the Final Four.

While he was able to play against Kentucky and Duke, he had missed 19 crucial games, and Koenig had taken over his position as a starter.

Jackson was a smart, tough and productive player throughout his four-year career with the Badgers. His ability to run the offense often set the tone for his team, and Koenig was able to use Jackson as an example when he was forced to step in.

Jackson was an efficient ball-handler when he was on the court; his injury-plagued season kept him from going out on the highest note.

Grade: B

Final Statistics: 6.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 70 assists, 8 blocks, 30 steals, .443 FG, .827 FT

Josh Gasser played unselfish basketball throughout the Badgers' magical 2014-15 season. However, when it came time to deliver big shots, he did not hesitate to fire away in key situations.

That's just what Ryan wanted from his senior guard, and Gasser delivered more times than not. He was an impressive 49-of-126 from beyond the arc this season, and his ability to get open and bury the dagger played a key role in the Badgers' Big Ten and NCAA tournament success.

Gasser used his long arms and knowledge of the opposition to get in the passing lanes and make big defensive plays. His sharp, heady play often keyed Wisconsin's success.

Grade: B+

Final Statistics: 4.7 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 24 assists, 3 blocks, 8 steals, .387 FG, .674 FT

The Badgers were not a team that depended on its depth for success. Ryan loved to use his five starters as long as he could in many games, and while he pushed his bench players hard in practice, they did not get a lot of opportunities in key games.

The one exception was 6'10" redshirt senior forward Duje Dukan, who provided the Badgers with versatility and toughness. Dukan had the size and strength to play tough defense down low and then go to the boards, and he was not afraid to take big shots.

Dukan made 29 of 91 three-point attempts this season, and when he was able to hit those long-distance bombs, it often gave the Badgers a huge lift. 

While Ryan won't have Dukan in the future, he had to be pleased with the contribution the senior gave him while averaging 15.0 minutes per game.

Grade: B

Bo Ryan has led the Wisconsin basketball program to the promised land.

His Badgers have been to the Final Four two seasons in a row, and that's a level of achievement that few college basketball coaches can even dream of matching.

Ryan has taken the Badgers a long way from the program he inherited in 2001-02. At the time, Wisconsin was known for its defense and slow-down play. The Badgers did not have much creativity on offense and often lacked big-time, blue-chip athletes.

While it didn't change overnight, the Badgers have become one of the nation's elite programs. They have never taken a step backward defensively, and they have gotten better and more creative offensively throughout the years.

Ryan is an excellent tactician and teacher. He brought his team to the precipice of a title, and his charges crumbled Kentucky and nearly did the same to Duke.

While there is still one more step to take, Ryan is clearly one of the best coaches in the game.

Grade: A

Stats courtesy of Wisconsin Sports Information Department.