December 10, 2010

Wilson hoping to find rhythm

MADISON - The start to Rob Wilson's season hasn't necessarily gone according to plan. Having suffered a hamstring injury shortly before the season opener, Wilson has been attempting to catch up with the rest of his teammates after missing a number of practices earlier.

Now, having played sparingly in each of the past seven games, Wilson is focused on earning more minutes through smart and disciplined play. At the conclusion of a recent practice, BadgerBlitz.com caught up with the junior guard.

The following is a question and answer with Wilson.

Are you feeling healthy?

Wilson: Yeah, I'm getting back into things. It's coming along. I've got to get back in the routine with the other guys because they've been doing a great job. Now it's just working myself back into the routine.

Do you feel like you're behind?

Wilson: Anyone that takes off as much time as I did loses a lot of same-page feelings and tendencies of the other team.

When did the injury happen and what happened?

Wilson: It just randomly happened one day randomly in practice. I was just going after the ball and I just pulled it. It's just part of life. There's nothing I could do about it.

What did you think right away when if first happened?

Wilson: I thought I had a Charlie horse. After I kept trying to play on it and it didn't go away I realized. After that it was just so tight.

Now that you're kind of getting back into the fray and getting some minutes, are you pressing a little bit? Is there any concern that you're trying to do too much?

Wilson: No, I don't feel like I'm trying to do too much. I've just got to stick to the rules because it's my junior year and I know what coach wants. It's all about sticking to the rules.

Is that what he's telling you?

Wilson: Yeah, all he wants me to do is stick to the rules and play defense.

When you look at the course of your career and the way you've improved, where have you improved mentally?

Wilson: Just reading defense, reading the offense and taking things a lot slower. I stopped taking things so fast.

Is that coming through when you watch film of yourself?

Wilson: It's film and repetition. Coach always has something to teach us so listening to him everyday.

Two games you were in there and you made some nice offensive plays, but then you committed a turnover when your pass got intercepted. Coach Bo Ryan took you out right away. Does that hurt your confidence at all?

Wilson: It doesn't hurt my confidence because he doesn't expect that out of me. I don't expect that out of myself. If I make a mistake it's my fault. I've got to pay the consequences of it. If you make a mistake, especially a turnover with coach Ryan, that's the one thing that he presses. We don't want that for this team.

What makes a good passer? How do you become a good passer?

Wilson: Being a good reader, being strong with the ball and reading the defense.

Moving forward, you talked about getting back into a rhythm with the other guys, but what are you hoping…

Wilson: I'm hoping to do whatever it takes to win a Big Ten championship my next two years. Whatever it takes, I'm willing to do it.

In the more immediate term with Marquette coming up, how do you go about catching up with those guys during the games?

Wilson: Just watching film. It's all about knowing tendencies and going out there and executing it.

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial