Wisconsin assistant Gary Close made it very clear what Panther fans would see out of his teams at Lantz Arena.

“Most of my background has been revolved in playing that up-tempo, aggressive style of basketball that includes full-court pressure,” Close said.

Close was an assistant under Tom Davis at Stanford and Iowa, and said he would use the style that produced 11 postseason berths that included nine NCAA Tournament berths and a pair of NIT teams.

“It’s definitely a fast break, up-tempo type offensive system,” ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said. “He worked real close to (Tennessee coach and former UW-Milwaukee coach) Bruce Pearl while at Iowa. He’s an energetic hard working coach.”

However, the Badger coach did mention the philosophical ideas that he learned under Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

“Bo really knows how to teach half court defense,” Close said. “He really stresses taking care of the basketball and finding the easiest shot.”

Attempting to turn around a team with 12-16 record, Close feels the high-paced style could be the easiest and most effective way of being successful very quickly.

“You look at UW-Milwaukee and what they were able to do in the NCAA Tournament playing that style, that worked well,” Close said. “Especially, in a setting that you only have one day to prepare for a team.”

Close is confident that his players at Eastern would love to play in the system and Panther fans would flock to Lantz Arena to see it.

“I have never come across a player that didn’t love (it), and it’s obviously very successful,” Close said.

Close attempted to describe his demeanor in practice and how he expects that to translate into game day.

“I told the team today that if you’re not willing to dive on the floor for a loose ball in practice, you won’t do it in a game,” Close said.