Nigel Hayes should stay with Wisconsin for one last run
There is no way in the world that any of the Wisconsin Badgers faithful could have imagined that Nigel Hayes would have gone through the worst slump of his career in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament. And I know for a fact there is no way Hayes thought that would ever have happened either.
And the million dollar question here in the near future is if Hayes, a junior from Toledo, OH, will skip his senior year and declare for the NBA Draft. In my eyes, it would be wise if Mr. Hayes stayed for one more year with this team.
Related Story: Badgers Tournament Run Came One Year Early
After Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker left for the NBA after last season, this became Hayes’ team and rightfully so. He earned Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year two years ago and last season he averaged 12.4 points per game while helping the Badgers reach the national championship. So rightfully so Nigel would be the focal point of this team.
Hayes did lead his team in scoring this season with 15.7 points per game, including a career-high 32 points in a loss to UW-Milwaukee.
But it was his play in the post season that leads me to believe one more year in Madison would be very beneficial for himself and the success of the Badgers as well.
As great as Hayes played in the regular season, it faltered in the post season and that is what most people will mainly take away from this year. Nigel averaged just 9.8 points per game in four post season games. He shot just 11-of-54 in games that spanned from Nebraska in the Big Ten tournament to the three games in the NCAA Tournament. That also includes Nigel making just two, three-point shots in 21 attempts. It was a dreadful showing in the tournament and not one that Hayes would like to leave as his lasting imprint on this program.
In four postseason games, Nigel Hayes shot 11-for-54 (20.1%) and 2-for-21 from 3-point range (9.5%). He had 8 TOs, including 6 Friday
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) March 26, 2016
Also don’t forget just how young this team is. They lose just one senior after this season and are littered with young talent up and down the roster. Bronson Koenig will be back for one last season, as will the Energizer bunny Zak Showalter, and Ethan Happ will be even better next year than what he was this year. And he was pretty darn good this year. Vitto Brown gained confidence and experience, as did sophomore Jordan Hill and freshman Khalil Iverson.
Reaching the Sweet 16 this year is something that many people would expect from this team next year at the very least. And in my eyes, with everything that went on this year from a young team to a coaching change halfway through the season, reaching the Sweet 16 was a huge success. With that being said, I can’t help but imagine just how good this team will be next year with literally everyone coming back including Nigel.
Call me selfish-and maybe I am-but this will be a very dangerous team with Nigel coming back next year. He can’t leave Wisconsin having a poor four game stretch like he did. Hayes will come back better and stronger next year with a more experienced team than what they had this year. With those two things, the sky is the limit with this team.
Next: Badgers Season Comes to an End
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