Badgers film room: It's Tyler Wahl's time to shine
Wisconsin men's basketball has had a long lineage of adorned "glue guys" whose contributions to the program have been immeasurable.
Truthfully, it's hard to imagine UW finding the success they've achieved over the past two decades without the willingness of these team-first players to do the dirty work necessary to win games.
At present, Tyler Wahl best fits the bill as Wisconsin's glue guy – which is in no way a discredit to the player he is, and I'd argue he's the most irreplaceable player on the entire roster.
Badger fans knew what they had in Wahl, given his contributions in years one and two, but his overall impact on games was highlighted further in expanded opportunity last season.
Despite playing more than 30 minutes per game, the junior forward played with the same grit and resolve fans saw when he came off the bench.
In 32 games, Wahl averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game on over 51% shooting from the floor. He also reached double figures in scoring 18 times for UW.
Last season, the 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward was UW's best low post presence and by far the team's most valued and versatile defender.
Much has been made of the Minnesota native's inability to shoot, but to discredit Wahl for a singular deficiency is disrespectful to the player he is – and he's damn good.
Defensively
Wahl is seemingly always in the correct defensive position.
He moves his feet and anticipates at an incredibly high level without reaching.
Incredibly versatile defender who can effectively switch onto almost any position.
Wahl has excellent awareness as a help-side defender.
Wahl’s defensive instincts and overall motor are elite.