Jan 10, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) handles the ball outside while Houston Rockets forward Sam Dekker (7) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The State of the Wisconsin Backfield for the 2017 Season

The State of the Wisconsin Backfield for the 2017 Season by Nelson Raisbeck

In a meeting between two former teammates and current great friends, Sam Dekker’s Houston Rockets got the best of Frank Kaminsky’s Charlotte Hornets in Tuesday night’s Badgers reunion.

Frank Kaminsky scored 22 points off the bench but it was not enough as the Charlotte Hornets fell to the Rockets in Houston Tuesday night.

To NBA fans, the contest between the two teams may simply be two inter-conference teams competing to better their playoff positions, but those who follow the Wisconsin Badgers, particularly the basketball program, know it was much more than just a game.

Dekker scored just five points in 22 minutes, but his team was able to get the “W” and make up ground on the San Antonio Spurs for the second seed in the West.

Sam Dekker had 5 pts and 3 assists in Houston's 121-114 win over Charlotte. Former teammate Frank Kaminsky went for 22, inc. 13 in the 4Q. — Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) January 11, 2017

Dekker and Kaminsky were a part of a couple of great teams at Wisconsin, including back-to-back Final Fours and a National Runner-Up accomplishment. Dekker’s NBA career got off to a slow start as he dealt with back injuries, while Kaminsky took a slow beginning and turned himself into a valuable piece of the Hornets’ rotation.

Obviously, before Tuesday night’s matchup, the two connected off the court and got a chance to re-live some of their Wisconsin glory days.

Not much has changed since college pic.twitter.com/eVq9DjiZcA — Sam Dekker (@dekker) January 9, 2017

Fellow teammate at Wisconsin, Josh Gasser, also made sure to tune into the get-together.

Sammy D vs. Fupps tonight — Josh Gasser (@JPGasser21) January 11, 2017

It was the first NBA matchup between the two as both are enjoying productive seasons on winning ball clubs. Dekker is averaging a solid 19 minutes off the bench, pitching in nearly seven points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and a couple highlight reels here and there. Kaminsky is seeing almost 25 minutes of action per night, putting up 10 points and nearly five rebounds.

The two teams will meet one more time this season on February 9 when Houston travels to Charlotte.