1997–98 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team

The 1997–98 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1997-98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Head coach Dick Bennett completed his third season coaching with the Badgers. In the program's centennial season, the team played its home games in Madison, Wisconsin at both the UW Field House and later the Kohl Center, which the Badgers opened on January 17, 1998, with a 56–33 win over Northwestern.

1997–98 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record12-19 (3-13 Big Ten)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaUW Field House (capacity: 11,500)
Kohl Center
Seasons
1997–98 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No.  16 Michigan State 13 3   .813 22 8   .733
No. 22 Illinois 13 3   .813 23 10   .697
No. 11 Purdue 12 4   .750 28 8   .778
Iowa 9 7   .563 20 11   .645
Indiana 9 7   .563 20 12   .625
Penn State 8 8   .500 19 13   .594
Northwestern 3 13   .188 10 17   .370
Wisconsin 3 13   .188 12 19   .387
Ohio State 1 15   .063 8 22   .267
No. 12 Michigan* † 0 5   .000 0 8   .000
Minnesota** 0 10   .000 0 15   .000
1998 Big Ten tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll
*Michigan: 24 reg. season games including Big Ten Tourn. Champ.; 2 NCAA Tourn. games vacated due to sanctions against the program
**Minnesota: 15 games including 5 NIT games and championship vacated due to sanctions against the program
Disputed records: Michigan 25–9, 11–5; Minnesota 20–15, 6–10

Season summary

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Wisconsin was unable to build on the previous year's success during a tumultuous season. Down two of its top players by midseason, the squad struggled to shoot well consistently. The Badgers scored fewer than 50 points seven times, going winless in those games. Notably, Wisconsin let back-to-back home games slip away to Iowa (79-76) and Illinois (53-47 in overtime) to start February, which dropped its season mark to 10–13. The losses were part of an 11-game Big Ten losing streak to end the regular season, which was interrupted only by a non-conference win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

True to Bennett's style, however, the Badgers led the Big Ten in scoring defense by allowing 62.6 points per contest. Though the team failed to receive a postseason invite, the substantial minutes played by four freshman laid groundwork for the memorable tournament run to come in 2000. Wisconsin rebounded from consecutive early losses to Pepperdine and Pacific to beat No. 18 Oklahoma and Montana to win the consolation bracket at the Big Island Invitational in Hawaii. Other highlights include going 2–1 against Top 25 teams in non-conference play and christening a new arena with a win.

A No. 10 seed in the inaugural Big Ten tournament, Wisconsin opened against Penn State in Chicago. Freshman Maurice Linton's jumper in the final seconds advanced the Badgers, 52–51. In the quarterfinals, Illinois held Wisconsin to 10 points at halftime. A furious Badger comeback erased an 18-point deficit but ultimately fell short in the final six minutes.

Ty Calderwood injury

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Lingering complications from off-season knee surgery prevented Ty Calderwood from playing a single minute in 1997–98.[1] It was a substantial blow, as a year earlier, the junior point guard led the Big Ten in steals and guided Wisconsin back to the NCAA Tournament. Calderwood was forced to take a medical redshirt. As a result, Mike Kelley became the first Badger freshman guard to start the season opener since Rick Olson in 1982.

Sam Okey's departure

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Junior forward Sam Okey was suspended by head coach Dick Bennett for the start of the campaign, including the first two regular season games, reportedly for marijuana use.[2] Upon his reinstatement, Okey battled back spasms which caused him to miss four of the next 13 games as Wisconsin fought to an 8–7 record. Clashes over his role, work ethic and off-the-court issues came to a head on January 13, 1998, when Okey quit the team.[3] The Badgers went 4-12 the remainder of the season. Okey transferred to the University of Iowa to play his senior year.[4]

Awards

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Sean Mason was a Honorable Mention All-Big Ten pick by the coaches and media at the conclusion of the season.

Roster

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1997–98 Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Hometown
G/F 3 Duany Duany 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) RS So Bloomington, IN
F 4 Sam Okey (S) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jr Cassville, WI
G 5 Hennssy Auriantal 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jr Montreal
G 10 Jon Bryant (I)   6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jr Plymouth, MN
G 11 Sean Mason (C) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) RS Jr Country Club Hills, IL
G 12 Ty Calderwood   (C)   6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jr Joliet, IL
G 14 John Moriarity (W)   6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Oostburg, WI
F 15 Andy Kowske 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr Brookfield, WI
G 22 Mike Kelley 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Menomonee Falls, WI
G 25 David Burkemper 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr Hubertus, WI
F 30 Maurice Linton 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Calumet City, IL
G 32 Chris Chambers (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Bedford, OH
F 33 Brian Vraney (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Sr Valders, WI
F 40 Charlie Wills   6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Fr Angola, IN
F/C 41 Booker Coleman 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Sr Jamestown, NY
F 50 Mark Vershaw 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Fr East Peoria, IL
F 52 Sean Daugherty (C) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Sr Vincennes, IN
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2019-08-05

[5]

Schedule

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Date
time, TV
Opponent Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Regular Season
11/14/1997*
Marquette L 60-65  0-1
 22  Daugherty   6  Auriental, Kelley, Vershaw   3  Kelley, Mason  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
11/18/1997*
No. 24 Illinois State W 80-66  1-1
 20  Mason   4  Auriental   5  Burkemper  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
11/24/1997*
at Pepperdine L 66–77  1-2
 21  Mason   7  Okey   5  Kelley  Firestone Fieldhouse (2,471)
Malibu, CA
11/28/1997*
vs. Pacific
Big Island Invitational
L 48-55  1-3
 15  Daugherty   4  Auriental, Vershaw   3  Linton  Afook-Chinen Auditorium (N/A)
Hilo, HI
11/29/1997*
vs. No. 18 Oklahoma
Big Island Invitational
W 75-64  2-3
 17  Mason   5  Mason   6  Burkemper  Afook-Chinen Auditorium (N/A)
Hilo, HI
11/30/1997*
vs. Montana
Big Island Invitational
W 78-61  3-3
 19  Auriental   6  Vershaw   5  Okey  Afook-Chinen Auditorium (N/A)
Hilo, HI
12/6/1997*
No. 20 Temple L 49-59  3-4
 18  Mason, Vershaw   10  Okey   3  Auriental  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
12/9/1997*
Toledo W 73-68 OT 4-4
 19  Mason   6  Kowske   5  Kelley  UW Field House (10,787)
Madison, WI
12/13/1997*
at Ball State L 56-68  4-5
 13  Duany   10  Daugherty   3  Vershaw  University Arena (7,900)
Muncie, IN
12/20/1997*
Coppin State W 71-63  5-5
 20  Duany   8  Auriental, Duany   7  Auriental  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
12/23/1997*
Nevada W 62-53  6-5
 14  Mason, Okey   7  Kowske   3  Vershaw  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
12/27/1997*
at Fresno State W 64-60  7-5
 17  Mason   10  Kowske   6  Okey  Selland Arena (10,220)
Fresno, CA
12/31/1997
No. 18 Michigan L 63-76  7-6 (0-1)
 14  Okey   6  Okey   4  Okey  UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
1/3/1998
at Ohio State W 64-59  8-6 (1-1)
 17  Mason   8  Coleman   4  Mason  St. John Arena (9,005)
Columbus, OH
1/8/1998
at Michigan State L 40-63  8-7 (1-2)
 8  Kowske, Vershaw   8  Daugherty   2  Kelley, Okey, Vershaw  Breslin Center (15,138)
East Lansing, MI
1/14/1998
Penn State W 76-57  9-7 (2-2)
 18  Auriental   8  Daugherty   3  Auriental, Kelley, Mason,
Vershaw
 
UW Field House (11,500)
Madison, WI
1/17/1998
Northwestern W 56-33  10-7 (3-2)
 18  Mason   4  Daugherty, Kowske   2  Burkemper, Kelley, Mason  Kohl Center (16,697)
Madison, WI
1/21/1998
at Illinois L 48-62  10-8 (3-3)
 13  Auriental   5  Coleman, Daugherty   3  Kelley, Vershaw  Assembly Hall (11,281)
Champaign, IL
1/25/1998
Indiana L 59-69  10-9 (3-4)
 21  Mason   11  Daugherty   4  Vershaw  Kohl Center (15,551)
Madison, WI
1/27/1998
at Minnesota L 48-58  10-10 (3-5)
 24  Mason   7  Coleman, Mason   4  Auriental  Williams Arena (14,354)
Minneapolis, MN
1/31/1998
at No. 10 Purdue L 59-82  10-11 (3-6)
 16  Daugherty   12  Daugherty   5  Burkemper  Mackey Arena (14,123)
West Lafayette, IN
2/3/1998
No. 24 Iowa L 76-79  10-12 (3-7)
 14  Mason   10  Daugherty   2  Burkemper, Vershaw  Kohl Center (16,096)
Madison, WI
2/7/1998
Illinois L 47-53 OT 10-13 (3-8)
 16  Daugherty   12  Daugherty   2  Auriental  Kohl Center (16,414)
Madison, WI
2/11/1998
at Northwestern L 39-47  10-14 (3-9)
 9  Vershaw   8  Kowske, Vershaw   2  Kelley, Mason  Welsh-Ryan Arena (3,947)
Evanston, IL
2/14/1998
at Penn State L 69-75  10-15 (3-10)
 30  Mason   9  Daugherty   9  Auriental  Jordan Center (11,514)
State College, PA
2/18/1998*
UW-Milwaukee W 65-58  11-15
 24  Mason   10  Auriental   3  Mason, Daugherty  Kohl Center (11,578)
Madison, WI
2/21/1998
No. 14 Michigan State L 47-56  11-16 (3-11)
 14  Mason   7  Daugherty   3  Auriental  Kohl Center (16,367)
Madison, WI
2/25/1998
Ohio State L 56-61  11-17 (3-12)
 18  Daugherty   11  Daugherty   4  Kelley  Kohl Center (16,042)
Madison, WI
2/28/1998
at No. 21 Michigan L 70-76  11-18 (3-13)
 28  Mason   7  Linton   3  Daugherty, Kowske  Crisler Arena (12,234)
Ann Arbor, MI
Big Ten tournament
3/5/1998
vs. Penn State (7)
Opening Round
W 52-51  12-18
 17  Mason   11  Daugherty   4  Auriental  United Center (21,711)
Chicago, IL
2/21/1998
vs. No. 18 Illinois (2)
Quarterfinal Round
L 61-66  12-19
 24  Daugherty   4  Auriental, Kowske, Linton,
Mason
 
 4  Mason  United Center (21,711)
Chicago, IL
*Non-conference game. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.

Player statistics

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Individual player statistics (Final)
Minutes Scoring Total FGs 3-point FGs Free Throws Rebounds
Player GP GS Tot Avg Pts Avg FG FGA Pct 3FG 3FA Pct FT FTA Pct Off Def Tot Avg A Stl Blk TO PF
Mason, Sean 31 26 885 28.5 480 15.5 149 378 .394 54 161 .335 128 157 .815 106 3.4 46 14 13 96 87
Daugherty, Sean 31 28 818 26.4 336 10.8 125 282 .443 11 34 .324 75 105 .714 192 6.2 33 14 18 51 77
Auriental, Hennssy 29 19 759 26.2 209 7.2 72 205 .351 27 87 .310 38 53 .717 99 3.4 64 46 2 55 72
Vershaw, Mark 31 4 649 20.9 164 5.3 59 134 .440 4 10 .400 42 72 .583 83 2.7 52 10 8 45 48
Kowske, Andy 31 13 582 18.8 157 5.1 58 117 .496 0 0 .000 41 61 .672 120 3.9 14 10 18 30 71
Duany, Duany 29 3 422 14.6 130 4.5 48 150 .320 16 81 .198 18 27 .667 50 1.7 10 8 9 23 27
Kelley, Mike 31 29 868 28.0 129 4.2 44 108 .407 11 38 .289 30 38 .789 63 2.0 55 58 4 39 102
Coleman, Booker 30 15 432 14.4 109 3.9 37 64 .578 0 0 .000 35 63 .556 89 3.0 4 10 15 28 62
Okey, Sam 9 7 226 25.1 88 9.8 29 71 .408 5 12 .417 25 34 .735 44 4.9 23 8 5 18 31
Linton, Maurice 21 4 205 9.8 53 2.5 20 51 .392 1 3 .333 12 19 .632 29 1.4 8 0 2 18 17
Burkemper, David 31 6 384 12.4 22 0.7 3 18 .167 1 11 .091 15 23 .652 26 0.8 39 10 1 19 47
Vraney, Brian 6 1 11 1.8 0 0.0 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 0 0 .000 4 0.7 0 0 0 1 1
Chambers, Chris 7 0 11 1.6 0 0.0 0 1 .000 0 1 .000 0 0 .000 3 0.4 0 1 0 0 0
Total 31 - 6251 40.3 1877 60.5 644 1579 .408 130 438 .297 459 652 .704 316 680 996 32.1 348 189 95 431
Opponents 31 - 6251 40.3 1940 62.6 643 1513 .425 197 553 .356 457 689 .663 323 711 1034 33.4 365 186 98 482
Legend
  GP  Games played   GS  Games started  Avg  Average per game
  FG  Field goals made  FGA  Field-goal attempts  Off  Offensive rebounds
 Def  Defensive rebounds   A  Assists   TO Turnovers
 Blk  Blocks  Stl  Steals  High  Team high

Records

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Sean Mason made the first field goal in Kohl Center history[6] on January 17, 1998, vs. Northwestern.

A February 11, 1998 loss to Northwestern, in which he went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, was the last game Sean Mason would fail to make a three-pointer in his Badger career. His streak of 39 straight games with a three-pointer began February 14, 1998 against Penn State and was a school record until being eclipsed by Bronson Koenig in 2016.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Mike Kelley, Dick Bennett can relate to Badgers' struggles this season". Wisconsin State Journal. February 1, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "Report: Badgers' Okey Smoked Pot". AP NEWS. October 21, 1997. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Okey quits UW basketball team". The Journal Times. January 14, 1998. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Sam Okey Surfaces Quickly at Iowa". AP NEWS. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "1997-98 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  6. ^ Sean Mason Interview BTN Live B1G Tournament Preview 1, retrieved May 25, 2020
  7. ^ Journal, Jim Polzin | Wisconsin State. "Badgers men's basketball: A quick breakdown on UW's win over Michigan". madison.com. Retrieved May 25, 2020.