Ryan's Badgers facing a challenge in backcourt

Bo Ryan seemed unruffled this summer when contemplating Wisconsin's prospects without Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor.

For one thing, Ryan saves his ruffled moments for when he's on the court.

For another, he likes to see how his guys rise up to a challenge.

"The points that (Tucker and Taylor) had last year might be picked up by four players this year," Ryan told Lindy's magazine. "Obviously there's going to be some opportunities for people. Who wants them?"

The third reason Ryan wasn't so bothered? He knew senior guard Michael Flowers would be back.

Flowers, an easy pick for last year's Big Ten all-defensive team, was scheduled to shift from point guard to shooting guard to fill the Badgers' biggest need.

"Flowers can shoot the ball better than people think," Ryan raved.

But two weeks ago, Wisconsin announced Flowers needed a leave of absence for medical reasons.

"Mike, we just wish him the best," said fifth-year senior center Brian Butch, who becomes the Badgers' only returning starter in Flowers' absence. "We know that everyone goes through tough times, and we're there for him 100 percent."

There's no timetable for Flowers' return, which becomes an issue mostly because there are only two other pure guards -- sophomores Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon -- on the Badgers' roster.

"I think we've got a lot of guys who've shown they can play back there," Butch said. "We've got a freshman, Tim Jarmusz, and even Marcus (Landry) and Joe (Krabbenhoft), they've been able to handle the ball."

Landry and Krabbenhoft already have jobs, though, as Wisconsin's starting forwards. Landry does everything from swatting shots to swishing 3-pointers, while Krabbenhoft has expanded his game as well.

In Wisconsin's big preseason intrasquad game on Oct. 21, Krabbenhoft piled up 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.

Butch, whose ugly elbow injury from last February has healed to the point where he'll contend for all-Big Ten honors, will share the pivot with senior center Greg Stiemsma.

The Badgers also boast three stellar freshmen who'll all get a chance to make their mark.

Keaton Nankivil, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound moose ranked among the nation's top 100 prospects by some analysts, and Jon Leuer, a slender 6-10 shooter ranked among nation's top 100 by other analysts, should develop into all-Big Ten products before they leave Madison.

In total, Wisconsin probably doesn't have the pieces to approach last year's heights -- when the program reached 30 wins and No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for the first time.

But the Badgers have what it takes to make a 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, especially if Flowers returns within a reasonable timeframe.

"That's the nice thing about this team," Butch said. "We've all taken a step."

Wisconsin at a glance

Coach: Bo Ryan (142-55, seventh year at Wisconsin; 172-82 in Division I; 525-158 overall)

2006-07 record: 30-6 (13-3 Big Ten, second); Lost to UNLV in NCAA Tournament second-round game.

Starters returning/lost: 2/3

Projected starters

SF Joe Krabbenhoft 6-7 220 Jr. Averaged 10.2 rebounds per 40 minutes of Big Ten play his first two years.

PF Marcus Landry 6-7 222 Jr. Has all-around skills to become all-Big Ten like his Purdue brother.

C Brian Butch* 6-11 235 Sr. His dislocated elbow feels good and his overall game feels better.

PG Trevon Hughes 6-1 193 So. Have to like a point guard who hails from Queens (New York).

SG Jason Bohannon 6-2 203 So. Cold-blooded shooter also can run the point if necessary.

*Returning starter

Toughest non-conference games: Nov. 27 at Duke, Dec. 8 vs. Marquette, Dec. 29 at Texas

Big Ten single games: vs. Michigan State, at Ohio State