INDIANAPOLIS — The smile spread across Greg Stiemsma's face in between shooting a pair of free throws early in second half of the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team's game against Penn State on March 5.

There it was again a few minutes later, after the Badgers' 6-foot-11 senior reserve center delivered a pass from the perimeter that led to the first slam dunk of junior swingman Joe Krabbenhoft's career.

And there was no wiping the ear-to-ear grin off Stiemsma's face while UW was celebrating its 17th Big Ten Conference title following the victory over the Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center.

"It's been a long time since I did that," Stiemsma said recently while sporting another smile. "I actually noticed that. It was just one of those games, I guess. It was just fun."

Stiemsma, likewise, is having as much fun now than at any other point during his four seasons as a Badger.

"No doubt about it," said Krabbenhoft, who is Stiemsma's roommate. "He's happy the team is doing well. Last year he was happy the team was doing well. ... But this year he's contributing a little more, being a focal point of what we're trying to do on the defensive end. He's happy with where his role is at and all the success of his team and his teammates."

Stiemsma — who has dealt with injury and academic ineligibility, and acknowledged he was suffering from depression since arriving at UW — is also enjoying his greatest on-court success as UW begins postseason play with Friday's Big Ten Conference tournament quarterfinal game against Michigan at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"It's urgency. It's seeing the end," UW assistant coach Howard Moore said. "When you're in that position, it's, 'How do I want to be remembered as a Badger and as a player.'

"People are seeing Greg in a position where it's now or never."

And right now, Stiemsma is playing his best basketball.

"Over the last month, he's definitely gotten better," UW assistant coach Greg Gard said. "When you have a guy that has as much experience and been though the things that he has and continuously plays better basketball, that's a great sign for this team."

Stiemsma, who started the first seven games of the season before senior guard Michael Flowers moved into the lineup, is averaging 11.1 minutes per game.

Although his averages of 3.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game are modest, they don't necessarily represent what he's bringing to the floor.

"I feel as confident now in my shot and my ability than I think I ever have here," said Stiemsma, who has logged more than 10 minutes in five of the last seven games, including 21 minutes against Penn State that resulted in 10 points (4-for-5 shooting), six rebounds and two assists.

Stiemsma has totaled nine assists against one turnover over the last seven games, in addition to bringing energy and serving as a considerable defensive and shot-blocking presence for a Badgers team that leads the nation in scoring defense (54.3 ppg).

"It's a tremendous lift," Moore said. "I think with his success, our guys are so happy for him to have the timing to play this way. The timing is perfect. As we keep going, we're going to need that extra boost off the bench, especially in the frontcourt to give us extra rebounding, defensive presence, scoring. He's been doing all those things."

Perhaps most importantly, Stiemsma — who has also embraced a leadership role this season — is thoroughly enjoying it all, something that hasn't always been the case over the course of his career.

Stiemsma injured his right foot early in his freshman year, sat out the first six weeks of that season, and wound up playing just 27 minutes.

And he was averaging 11.7 minutes per game over the first 16 games of his sophomore season until he was declared academically ineligible to play during the second semester.

Shortly thereafter, Stiemsma publicly disclosed he was suffering from depression.

"I think being put through the situations I've been in through and being basically knocked down to flat on your back, the only place to go is up. I think it was either grow up fast or give up. And there was no way I was going to give up," said Stiemsma, who hopes to pursue a basketball career when his days as a Badger come to a close. "It's still a day-to-day thing where you have to get up and do the right things. It's just the enjoyment I'm getting out of it that maybe I didn't have a couple years ago."

Hearing that brings a smile to the face of others.

"Perseverance, it builds character," Moore said. "The circumstances he's gone through in his four years here, all it has done is made him a better person. Through all of the things he's seen and gone through, he's still here, he's still smiling and he's still having success."

Badgers (26-4) vs. Wolverines (10-21)

What: Quarterifinal game of the Big Ten tournament.

When, where: 11 a.m. Friday, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

TV: ESPN.

Radio: 1310 AM, 101.5 FM.