MINNEAPOLIS – Bo Ryan wasn’t the most popular or sexiest choice six years ago.
With the Badgers only a year removed from reaching the 2000 Final Four, there was hope among Wisconsin fans that the school could land a big name when replacing Dick Bennett. Milwaukee native and then-Utah coach Rick Majerus was a popular choice. So was California coach Ben Braun, a University of Wisconsin graduate.
Sure, Ryan was known in the state – he won four Division III national championships at Wisconsin-Platteville – but his record in two seasons at Division I Wisconsin-Milwaukee was 30-27.