Opponents are going to have a more difficult time pushing around Jon Leuer this season.

The University of Wisconsin sophomore forward added some serious weight and muscle over the summer and earned praise from strength and conditioning coach Scott Hettenbach for his overall improvement.

"Jon Leuer jumps out at me,'' said Hettenbach after he was asked who is the most improved player in terms of strength and conditioning. "He has made great strides physically.''

The 6-foot-10 Leuer proved last year that he has the basketball IQ and skills to excel at the college level. But while playing at a weak 205 pounds, Leuer lacked the physicality of top Big Ten Conference freshmen like Purdue's Robbie Hummel and couldn't help the Badgers with any consistency.

Now, the fast-growing Leuer has bulked up to around 225 pounds and added some upper body strength. He's also keeping pace with everybody while running the hill at Elver Park. Last year, Leuer struggled running the hill.

"Physically, Jon had a great summer. He has done everything we asked nutritionally to try and pack on some lean muscle. So we're very happy with where he's at,'' said Hettenbach.

"Hopefully he can continue that and try to maintain and hold that weight during the season,'' Hettenbach added. "I think that can help him.''

Hettenbach also praised the Badgers' five freshmen: Jared Berggren, Ryan Evans, Ian Markolf, Jordan Taylor and Rob Wilson. They comprise one of the most athletic freshman classes of the Bo Ryan era and they may be the best conditioned class, too.

"All those young kids have been very, very impressive,'' said Hettenbach. "I'm excited to see where we can go with this.''

At Elver Park, 6-10, 235-pound freshman forward/center Jared Berggren stands out because he keeps pace with the most experienced big men while running the hill. That is extremely rare for a young big man. While he bears (excuse the pun) a physical resemblance to Brian Butch, Berggren's running style conjures up memories of a young Mike Wilkinson.

"He can get up and down, whether it's getting up and down the floor or up and down the hill,'' said Hettenbach of Berggren. "He's in a great shape for a big guy and works really hard in the weight room.''

Ryan Evans, a 6-6 freshman swingman from Chandler, Ariz., has added 15 pounds to his frame since arriving on the UW campus this past summer. He weighs 195 pounds.

"He's like Jon Leuer. He has done everything we have asked nutritionally and followed the line and been consistent with training,'' said Hettenbach. "He has a body that can handle a little more weight. He came in pretty lean, but he has good size on him now. He's a very athletic kid, very receptive to working hard.''

Hettenbach believes that the work ethic an athlete shows in the weight room usually equates to the work ethic he will show on the basketball court. That is why he is so optimistic about the freshman class.
 
"We've got a really good crew,'' said Hettenbach. "Those freshmen coming in are all hard workers.''

ESPN to feature Landry: Talented ESPN.com writer Dana O'Neil spent some time in Madison this week working on an upcoming feature on UW senior forward Marcus Landry, his wife, Efueko Osagie, and his three children.