OMAHA, Neb. — His philosophy about life and basketball never has changed.

Through everything University of Wisconsin senior center Greg Stiemsma has been through during his four years at the school — and most people on the outside never will know the half of it — his approach has been steadfast and true.

"For everything we've been through as seniors, together, what I've been through, it's definitely been a roller-coaster ride," Stiemsma said. "The ups and downs that come, you just have to stay at it.

"Every day's a grind; some days are better than others. You've got to enjoy the highs when they come and not get too down on the lows."

Most people know about the lows, because Stiemsma has been so open publicly about what he's gone through.

He was declared academically ineligible the second semester of his sophomore year and revealed a short time later he was struggling with depression.

Everybody got a chance to see one of the highs — maybe even the high point — on Saturday in the 72-55 victory over Kansas State at the Qwest Center in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

The 6-foot-11 Stiemsma is one of the major reasons the Badgers are advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in four years.

He scored a career-high 14 points and had seven rebounds in just 14 minutes. His previous high for points in a game this season was 10, which he reached three times.

His previous career high was 12 at Illinois on Jan. 20, 2007.

Stiemsma certainly was one of the Badgers' most productive players in two games here in the Midwest Regional.

Along with his highly efficient outing against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, this gave him 20 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes in the two games.

Making the most of his minutes pretty much sums up Stiemsma this season. He came in averaging 11.3 minutes per game.

"You never know when your number is going to get called," Stiemsma said. "In certain situations, matchups, all that, foul trouble, you can go from playing four or five minutes one game to almost 20 the next.

"I definitely just try and take advantage of almost each possession when I get out there, because you never know how long it's going to be."

In the way Stiemsma has accepted his role this season, he could be the poster child for the team's unselfishness, a significant component in the 31-4 record.

"He just wants to help the team, just like everybody on this team," junior swingman Joe Krabbenhoft said. "Greg epitomizes that. He's a great example for all the younger kids on this team, for myself, just to not let people get you down; (or) a game, if you didn't get in, get you down.

"He just kept fighting, kept coming to practice every day, working hard. The hard work just paid off for him. It has all year. It really did (Saturday)."

Krabbenhoft and Stiemsma are roommates and best friends. More than anybody else, Krabbenhoft understands what Stiemsma has endured this season and had to fight back tears in the locker room, talking about it.

"He's worked so hard," Krabbenhoft said. "It's nice to finally see some shots (go in). ... I mean, he's done so much for us all year, but on this stage, to get the recognition he's going to receive now, I'm so happy for him."

The UW fans also seem to understand, given the loud ovations when Stiemsma came off the floor.

"I know I'm well-respected, or seen by fans as one of their favorites, I guess, some people say," Stiemsma said. "I know I have the support of everybody from Madison and all the Badger fans everywhere."