Getting to know... FR Jared Berggren
October 18, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 18, 2009
Redshirt freshman Jared Berggren spent last season learning the Wisconsin way and adding strength. Now in his second year in the program, the 6-10 big-man might play his way into the Badgers rotation in 2009-10.
Get to know... Jared Berggren
You chose to redshirt your first year here. Why and how did you use that time?
I decided to redshirt because I needed another year to develop and get a little stronger. I also was able to learn how Coach Ryan likes things done--learn how to play defense better, learn how to be more physical in the post. Over that time I was able to improve my game and improve my body to get ready for this season.
Your size will likely put you in a position to contribute early in your career. What do you hope to accomplish this year personally and toward team goals?
I just hope to compete for some time this year, whether I'm coming off the bench or not. Any way I can contribute to the team and try to help them win some games.
You also set the school post player record for the 300-yard shuttle run this summer, giving you valuable quickness for your size. How do you hope to utilize this in your first year?
I think I can be a fairly athletic post and hopefully will be able to run the floor well and match up with different type of players you can see in the Big Ten. I can use my physical abilities to just try to contribute.
What has it been like sitting on the bench for the entire first year of your collegiate career? How do you think your choice to redshirt has benefitted you?
It was definitely tough. It's going to be especially weird now, not having played in a real game since high school. It's going to be an adjustment coming back to competing in games. It was definitely tough sitting out for a year and watching, but I'm happy with my decision to do that now and I feel that I have improved a lot and am ready to contribute this year.
Being a kid from across the border, what was it about Wisconsin's program that sold you to play for UW?
I really just liked everything about the university and the program here. Coach Ryan has built an excellent program--the way they play, the way they do things, they do everything right. It's a system that I fit well into. The school is great, the people are great here, and I just really liked everything about it.
You signed at about the same time as teammates Jordan Taylor, Ian Markolf, and Rob Wilson almost two years ago. Do you remember what it felt like to sign you letter of intent with Wisconsin, and how the span of two years has culminated into the soon-approaching chance to play as a Badger?
I've been excited ever since I decided to come here my junior year in high school to come here and play. Now that time is finally coming, and hopefully I can do some good things in this season coming up.
You participated in Coach Ryan's team camps from as far back as the summer after your sophomore year of high school. Had you always aspired to be a Badger? When was it that you knew you wanted to play for Wisconsin?
I had never thought about coming here until they started recruiting me in my sophomore year. The first time I came here for camp, I talked to Coach Ryan after we were done and from that day on, I really liked everything about the program here and about the school, and it became an easy decision for me to come here.
Coach Ryan said that you were "ecstatic about the University of Wisconsin" and that "Badger fans everywhere will really enjoy watching [you] play" when you signed your letter of intent. What kind of show do you hope to give Badger fans this season?
[Smiling wide and chuckling] Hopefully I can do some good things out there! I feel pretty good about our team, and I think I can contribute. I think we've got some good things in store.
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Kristyn Fons
Athletic Communications
