Frank the Tank Makes the Cover of Sports Illustrated
By Jim Oxley
This week’s Sports Illustrated cover will feature Wisconsin’s own Frank the Tank Kaminsky (and his tank) as the magazine previews the upcoming NCAA tournament.
This week's cover: @BadgerMBB's Frank the Tank http://t.co/qt6HgDaeTj pic.twitter.com/avdIYDgiqx
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 17, 2015
Has a nickname ever been more spot-on? Frank Kaminsky has literally been a tank for the Badgers this season. Since leading Wisconsin to a Final Four appearance and taking home West Region most Outstanding Player honors last season, the pressure has been on for Kaminsky to be even better in the 2014-15 season.
More from Wisconsin Badgers News
- Wisconsin Football flips 3-star defensive tackle from Northwestern
- Former Wisconsin Football stars to be featured on the next Wheaties box
- Four-star running back Darrion Dupree commits to Wisconsin Football
- Wisconsin Football wide receiver enters the transfer portal
- Wisconsin Football gets first commitment from class of 2025
And he’s responded admirably.
It’s been a banner year for Kaminsky, who many expect to be named the NCAA player of the year. He led Wisconsin to a regular season Big Ten Championship and helped the Badgers secure the big Ten Tournament championship last week.
Wisconsin earned the one seed in the West Region, and the Badgers hit the court Friday to open the NCAA Tournament against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
Wisconsin will look to Kaminsky to lead the Badgers to another Final Four, and while the road is tough, Kaminsky looks to be able to shoulder the load.
Frank Kaminsky smiles as he runs back on defense after throwing down a dunk against Nicholls State. Jim Oxley photo
This season, Kaminsky is averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and .9 steals per game, while only committing 1.6 fouls and 1.5 turnovers per contest.
He’s been remarkably efficient this year, shooting 55.3 percent from the field (223-of-403) and 75.9 percent from the charity stripe (120-of-158). The 7-footer is shooting an incredible 39.5 percent from three-point land (34-of-86).
Kaminsky has 11 double-doubles on the season, and came within one rebound of four more double-double games.
If Frank continues to be the Tank, the Badgers should find themselves back in the Final Four for the second straight season.
Statistics courtesy ESPN.com.