That disappearing act Jon Leuer pulled as a freshman last season was just that — an act.

Leuer, a 6-foot-10 forward, showed again Tuesday night that he's here to stay for the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team.

Just in time, too.

Now that the exhibition season — you mean SIU-Edwardsville isn't still in Division II? — is over and the real season is about to begin for the Badgers, coach Bo Ryan will be looking for regular contribitions from players not named Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft, Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes.

After two exhibition games and two non-conference games, including Tuesday's 88-58 laugher over SIU-Edwardsville at the Kohl Center, Leuer is standing at the head of the line. That's unlike last year, when he mostly stood at the 3-point line.

So far, Leuer has looked nothing like the skinny, one-dimensional freshman who scored 25 points against Michigan in the Big Ten opener and only 16 in the next 17 conference games. That was especially true Tuesday night, when he scored a team-high 19 points against the travel-weary Cougars.

But it wasn't Leuer's point total that was impressive, it was the way he scored. Or, more accurately, the many ways he scored.

Showing a versatility he simply didn't have last year, Leuer sank eight of his 10 shots. He scored on dunks and 3-point shots. He hit mid-range jumpers, drove for a reverse layup and got to the foul line on a strong post move.

"I was just trying to be more assertive," Leuer said. "I was open in some spots and I was able to get some easy ones right away, which got me in my rhythm."

Leuer provided UW with instant offense in the first half, scoring nine straight points as the Badgers put the Cougars away early. In the second half, he dunked off dishes from Hughes, Bohannon and Jason Taylor, all evidence of how active he was.

"He's got great length, he's got good balance," Ryan said. "He moved well away from the ball. ... Jon's starting to understand some of that stuff. His all-around game, there's some potential there. He just needs to bring it all the time."

Leuer's coaches and teammates have talked about how he's been bringing it in practice and he's had strong showings in two of UW's four games. After bulking up 20 pounds to 225, Leuer is a changed player. He's stronger, moves better and is more explosive with the ball.

"You can't be one-dimensional," he said. "Being able to play inside and outside can definitely be a weapon. I tried to get a little bit stronger this last summer and I think that's helped me play a little more inside and not get pushed around so easy."

He's still not muscle-bound and it'll be interesting to see how Leuer does against big, physical Big Ten-type teams, but he has a chance to become a consistent fifth scoring option for the Badgers if he plays as he did against the Cougars.

"It doesn't surprise me," Landry said. "I'm in practice with him every day. As his teammate, I know what he's capable of doing and you've only seen the beginning of it. Hopefully, he can keep playing this way."

If he can, UW's act will only get better.