Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - June 20, 2013

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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GREG ANDERSON "It was a little difficult (not playing) last year," Michala said, "but at the same time, it was interesting because I got to see how the Big Ten is and its style of play. It was kind of a big change (coming from UConn).'' "It was a little difficult (not playing) last year, but at the same time, it was interesting because I got to see how the Big Ten is and its style of play. It was kind of a big change (coming from UConn).'' Kelsey has a pretty good idea what Johnson can bring to the Badgers. "Leadership,'' she said, hinting at her maturity. "Obviously scoring, rebounding, defending. She can do it all. She's a very talented, skilled young lady and she has a great team-oriented attitude. "Michala has played at the top level. She understands what that looks like. She has seen it; she has been in that environment. You don't forget it and you should use it to your advantage. "There's no reason for her to not impart some of those things (she experienced at UConn) upon her teammates and help them understand you have to do certain things if you want certain things.'' Johnson is prepared to do just that. "I feel like I can be a great scorer,'' she said. "I can also contribute with getting rebounds and defensive stops. I feel like I can bring a lot to the team.'' Is there any pressure on Johnson to produce right away not only because of her pedigree as a 34 ยป VARSITY JUN E 20, 2013 highly-recruited prep athlete but knowing that she has just two years of college eligibility remaining? "Very much so, but I just have to stay positive and focused,'' said Johnson, whose career scoring high at UConn was eight points against Pitt. "The only thing on my mind is to win and be a team player. "I want to make sure my teammates are on the same page with me and I'm on the same page with them. I'm just trying to win a lot of games here.'' That's a challenge in a rebuilding program like Wisconsin. "I know we're at the bottom right now,'' she said, "but we want to work our way to the top and prove a lot of people wrong.'' One of the perks in opting for the Badgers is that Michala will be reunited this season with her younger sister, Malayna, an incoming UW freshman. "I haven't seen her play as much as I would like to, but I know she has come a long way,'' Michala said. "She can block shots and she's very good on the defensive end.'' Malayna Johnson has been labeled as a "late bloomer.'' She didn't begin playing basketball until eighth grade. But she was a member of three state

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