WATCH: BADGERS REACT TO NCAA SELECTION
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"We've become stronger as a team by not dwelling
was big."
on those injuries. I think we grew a lot as a team
So is Sheffield's wealth of NCAA tournament exwhen it happened."
perience, according to Hickey. "We're putting all of
There has definitely been an accountability eleour trust and confidence in him and our coaches,"
ment to Sheffield's teaching and preaching. It's all
she said.
part of his success formula or blueprint for the BadSheffield believes Big Ten Conference play has
gers.
prepared his team for what's next. "We've played in
"He holds us accountable, but it's in a positive
the toughest conference in the land and we've had
way," said Hickey. "He motisuccess," he said of his team
vates us and you want to be
"You need to trust the work you've that went 12-8 in the league,
better not just for him but
tying for fourth.
been doing all year long," Sheffield
for ourselves and our team"That should build your conmates."
said. "You trust your kids, you give fidence. Every night you're in
From that first meeting,
a meat-grinder in this league.
them confidence and you let them Same thing with the NCAA
Sheffield warned his players
about passing the buck from
tournament, you're in a meatgo out there and ball."
the standpoint of accounting
grinder."
for why this program hadn't reached certain expecSo embrace the battle, Sheffield will remind them
tations.
Friday. The first time Sheffield coached in the NCAA
"They had to look in the mirror," he said, "and say,
tournament, he conceded, "I was really uptight."
'Hey, I'm part of the problem as well. I've got to go
That's not the way you need to be, he learned.
about things differently and challenge myself differ"You need to trust the work you've been doing
ently."'
all year long," he said. "You trust your kids, you give
Hickey was instrumental in accepting the mesthem confidence and you let them go out there and
sage and spreading it. "She was the leader of that;
ball."
she immediately bought in," Sheffield said. "That
They've earned that right.
//
VARSITY December 5, 2013
