NFL
By: Melo Williams
Last season while Badgers big man Tyler Wahl was battling the ankle injury the more I watched Steven Crowl play, and the more I watched him play, the more I liked his game.
In the recruiting and scouting world, it’s always asked who said player reminds you of, so I always compare similar styles of play with players.
For UW Badgers Steven Crowl, a comparison didn’t come to me right away but I truly enjoyed watching him play.
Senior Tyler Wahl suffered an ankle injury against Minnesota in the first half and Steven Crowl finished the game scoring 17 points, including 13 in the second half, and grabbed five rebounds for UW.
Wisconsin season ended without me having a player comparison for Crowl so I left the subject alone until the start of this 2023-2024 college basketball season.
I was able to take in Wisconsin’s first two home games this season at the Kohl Center vs Arkansas State and #9 ranked Tennessee so I was able to watch Crowl play in person.
Watching Crowl go through his pregame workout vs the Vols, finally came to me, the big fella reminded me of NBA Hall of Famer, former Big Ten Minnesota Gopher, and Minnesota prep basketball standout Kevin McHale.
Steven Crowl is a 7’0 standout from Eagan, MN.
Like McHale, Crowl is a smart sound fundamental basketball player. He can score in a variety of ways. He can score in the post with his back to the basket, facing up, knocking down the mid-range shot, and can stretch defenses with his ability to shoot the three.
Defensively, like McHale, Crowl is a solid on-ball defender defending other big men, can defend the pick and roll, and is an active rim protector.
The glaring similar skillset Crowl and McHale have is the ability to pass the ball. McHale is one of the best passing big men in the history of basketball and Crowl has an elite skill level of passing.
At Eastview HS, Steven Crowl made himself a Minnesota HS basketball legend like Kevin McHale.
Crowl was a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports and Rivals.
In his junior season, he led Eastview to the Minnesota Class 4A state tournament averaging 19.7 points (39% 3FG), 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
As a senior, Crowl averaged 26.7 points and 12 rebounds per game, while also leading his team in assists averaging 4.3 per game.
Crowl finished his Eastview prep career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,747 pts, rebounder with 832 rebounds, and shot blocker with 103 blocks. Crowl set Eastview school records for career field-goal percentage at 59% FG, 332 rebounds in a season, 19 rebounds in a game, and the single-game field-goal percentage at 90% FG.
While at Eastview Crowl was a 2020 Minnesota Mr. Basketball finalist, a McDonalds Award finalist, First-Team South Suburban All-Conference in 2019, and Second-Team in 2018. Crowl also earned Star-Tribune All-Metro, Pioneer-Press All-Metro, and Section 3AAAA Player of the Year honors.
At Wisconsin, Crowl’s sophomore season, Crowl started all 33 games for the Badgers averaging 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Crowl’s junior season he started all 35 games for Wisconsin averaging 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds per game (1st), 2.5 assists per game (2nd) in 30.5 minutes per game.
Though Crowl was 2nd on the team in assists, he led the team with 243 assists and 17 blocks.
In the NIT tournament vs. Bradley, Crowl scored a career-high 36 points and snagged 12 rebounds. He also posted a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds in a win vs. Penn State.
This season watching Crowl battle against #9 ranked Tennessee defensive physicality, and length with Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka two young athletic bouncy guys, Crowl held his own and I loved it.
Crowl was able to establish position in the post, get his shot off, and attack the rim with the dribble drive all night though he missed a few layups and shots at the rim.
Tennessee big men played Crowl very physically and he responded to the challenge with controlled physical play in return making Aidoo and Awaka work on both ends of the court.
Steven Crowl finished the game vs Tennessee with 14 points (4-9 FG), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in 26 mins.
For a big man being able to pass the ball is a luxury for any offense in any era and style of basketball.
Crowl is a talented passer and Wisconsin can benefit greatly from trusting Crowl’s decision-making. Last season Crowl was second on the team in assists averaging 2.5 assists per game and was one of only two 7-footers in the nation last season to average at least 2.5 assists per game.
It appears Wisconsin may play more uptempo basketball this season since the arrival of AJ Storr and I love it. However, I also believe Wisconsin’s head coach Greg Gard should run the offense more through Steven Crowl and play inside out still due to Crowl’s ability to pass the ball especially out of the post.
With Crowl’s superb passing and with Wisconsin having shooters who can shoot from the outside like Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, AJ Storr, Connor Essegian, and Nolan Winter, the Badgers should be able to force man defenses which will allow Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl to dominate inside and put up points in the paint.
Steven Crowl is currently averaging 11.5 points (53.8% FG), 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists this 2023-2024 season.
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