Wisconsin coach Greg Gard lobbies for mentor Bo Ryan to get into the Naismith Hall of Fame: ‘It’s a no-brainer’

MADISON – Greg Gard chuckled before he could attempt to respond to the question:

How would you state your case for Bo Ryan to be voted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?

“I mean, it’s a no-brainer,” the Wisconsin coach said. “You look at the numbers.”

Gard, who worked under Ryan for more than two decades – at UW-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee and finally at Wisconsin – probably can recite many of the numbers from memory.

“Platteville alone,” Gard continued, “and I was there for six of those (seasons).

“The further you get from it you realize those may never be duplicated. They were video game numbers.”

Tom Izzo of Michigan State among those pushing for Bo Ryan to join the Naismith Hall of Fame

Gard and other coaches, including Tom Izzo of Michigan State, have been quietly pushing for Ryan, 76, to be inducted.

“Tom obviously recognizes the validity of Bo being in,” Gard said. “And I know Tom has been a proponent and a voice to help with this, as have others.

“I think for those that really understand it and know the history and step back and really look at it, it’s a no-brainer.”

Ryan moved one step closer last week when he was named among the 14 finalists for the 2024 class.

“Yes, we have been very vocal,” Gard said. “Probably more than ever and consistently more than ever.

“I think I’ve been able to talk to a lot of people that have given me insight how to keep that at the forefront.”

Ryan’s résumé is in the hands of the North American Honors Committee. That committee includes 24 voting members and is composed of Hall of Famers, basketball executives and administrators, members of the media and other experts in the game of basketball.

A finalist must receive at least 18 votes to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

The class is to be announced April 6, during the Division I men’s Final Four in Arizona.

“We’ve got to make another push now,” Gard said. “I know he needs 18 votes, so we’ll continue to push that forward and hopefully by April 6 when they announce the inductees that he is one of them.”

Bo Ryan’s résumé boasts impressive numbers

In case anyone has forgotten the impressive résumé Ryan compiled in 31-plus college seasons, here are some snippets:

His overall record was 747-233, a winning percentage of .762.

His teams qualified for the national tournament – NAIA, NCAA Division III or NCAA Division I – in all but four seasons, twice at UW-Platteville and twice at UW-Milwaukee.

He led Platteville to Division III national titles in 1991, 1995, 1998 and 1999 and those teams finished a combined 119-5 (.960).

Platteville was the winningest NCAA men’s basketball program of the 1990s regardless of division with a record of 266-26 (.908).

Ryan guided UW to 14 NCAA berths in 14 seasons and reached the Final Four in his last two full seasons. UW never finished outside the top four of the Big Ten during that run.

“We can sit here because we’re biased and say it’s a no-brainer,” Gard said. “But when you step back and really look at the numbers and the consistency of it, there’s no doubt it’s Hall of Fame worthy.”

Gard and his players were in Iowa City preparing to face the Hawkeyes when the finalists for the 2024 class were announced.

Gard called Ryan to chat.

“He did not know,” Gard said. “So, he was a little speechless. Which was good. It’s rare you find him speechless.”

Will the next time come in April?