OMAHA, Neb. -- It's no secret a lot of junior swingman Joe Krabbenhoft's many contributions to the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team come as a result of hustle and effort.

Yet, the same things that make him so effective on defense, or getting rebounds, can sometimes cause problems on the offensive end.

"Joe's always been a hustle, high-energy guy," UW assistant coach Greg Gard said Friday. "Sometimes that hustle and high energy and flying around at 100 miles an hour can get you in trouble offensively, because you get going too fast."

While Krabbenhoft's offensive improvements might have been hard to pick up earlier in the season, they have become increasingly evident as of late. He has scored at least eight points in each of the last six games and is averaging 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game over that span.

Krabbenhoft tied a career high with 13 points in the Badgers' 71-56 victory over Cal State Fullerton Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

"My teammates found me for wide-open jump shots," Krabbenhoft said. "It's tournament time, it's time to step up and knock them down."

As usual, Krabbenhoft's contributions didn't end there. He also had nine rebounds and two blocks, although he also had a team-high five turnovers.

Kansas State coach Frank Martin said he stayed up most of Thursday, watching tapes of 10 UW games, in preparation for today's second-round matchup. That was enough for Martin to gain an instant appreciation for what Krabbenhoft does.

"I'm glad I'm not guarding him, I'll tell you that," Martin said. "He's as physical as they come ... rebounds it with the best of them, plays with unbelievable energy and passion.

"When you watch guys on tape and they go after every offensive rebound, not just when they're in the right area ... then it makes your night a little longer."

Krabbenhoft has never used the energy he expends elsewhere as a crutch for his sometimes sporadic scoring. But Gard said the issue on the offensive end usually has more to do with staying under control.

"Offensively, you have to see things in slow motion," Gard said. "You can't be 100 miles an hour. You have to stay within the speed limit offensively. He understands that. Sometimes he steps across that line and he has to pull himself back."

Suited for swing

UW coach Bo Ryan was asked how Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley would fare in the swing offense utilized by the Badgers.

"He's be the same (as) he is right now, an All-American, first-round draft pick. Maybe a No. 1 draft pick," Ryan said of Beasley, who is averaging 26.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. "He's just a player. He could play in any offense."

In the paint

This will be the fifth meeting between UW and Kansas State, with the series tied 2-2. The teams last met Dec. 10, 1983 in Manhattan, Kan. ... UW, which picked up its 30th victory of the season Thursday, is one of five teams in the nation that have won 30 games in each of the last two years (North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis and Kansas). ... The Badgers are the 14th Big Ten team to have won 30 games in a season, and the third program in Big Ten history (Indiana 1974-75, 1975-76; Michigan State 1998-99, 1999-00) to win at least 30 games in back-to-back seasons.