MADISON, Wis. -- Ryan Evans' transformation has been remarkable.

For most of Wisconsin's season, the fifth-year senior was timid around the basket because he knew a foul might send him to the free-throw line and thus open him to ridicule.

Shooting an airball from the free-throw line leaves a wound that is invisible but deep.

Now almost a month removed from making the decision to shoot jumpers from the free-throw line and with fifth-seeded UW (23-11) set to face 12th-seeded Mississippi (26-8) in the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Evans is attacking the rim with a tenacity that was routine in previous seasons.

"Without a doubt," Evans said.

Since the change at the line Feb. 26 against Nebraska, Evans has hit 42.0 percent of his field-goal attempts (29 of 69). That number was at 43.3 percent before a 3-for-9 performance in the Big Ten title game.

His shooting percentage before the change was 40.5 percent (113 of 290).

"When you have confidence at the free-throw line you are more willing to go to the rim to get fouls," Evans said. "You expand your game.

"Free throws are a big part of my game. When you are down and not shooting well, the objective is to get to the free-throw line."

And when you are wary of shooting free throws, you are less willing to attack the basket.

"Now that they are falling in," Evans said, "it has really helped my game."

Evans entered the Nebraska game Feb. 26 shooting 40.5 percent from the line (51 of 26). Beginning with a 2-for-2 effort against Nebraska, Evans has hit 11 of his last 19 attempts (57.9 percent).

That number is far off his mark of 72.6 percent from last season, but Evans no longer is a liability late in games.

He occasionally takes an ill-advised jumper early in the possession. However, in all three games in the Big Ten tournament in Chicago he was able to post up defenders for high-percentage shots or kick the ball out to wide-open shooters.

He averaged 11.3 points and 4.0 assists and joined teammate Traevon Jackson on the Big Ten all-tournament team.

Fellow senior Mike Bruesewitz has noticed the change in Evans' all-around game.

"I think it has helped tremendously," Bruesewitz said. "Just look at the games down there.

"He did a great job for us in his willingness to get the ball on the block and be aggressive.

"And the fact he was aggressive and not always shooting was really key for us in getting wide-open looks.

"His willingness to make the extra pass and recognizing when double-teams were coming and when guys were collapsing too far was a big reason we were successful down there.

"He was making the correct decision, either finishing around the bucket or passing it out."

ESPN analyst Dan Dakich raved about Evans' performance in a nine-point victory over Michigan.

Evans had nine points and five assists in the second half to help UW rally for the victory. He finished with 12 points and a college-high six assists.

"Let's talk about Evans," Dakich said during the telecast. "He had patience, experience and savvy and skill to go make the right play every time. That's toughness."

And tenacity.

Evans acknowledged he decided change was needed after struggling Feb. 14 at Minnesota and then Feb. 20 at Northwestern.

At Minnesota, Evans hit just 2 of 8 free-throw attempts and 2 of 8 field-goal attempts.

At Northwestern, Evans hit 2 of 5 free-throw attempts. One miss was an airball. He hit just 1 of 6 field-goal attempts.

"I knew it was getting toward the end of the season, tournament time," he said. "I knew I had to make an adjustment. I was open to any ideas."

UW coach Bo Ryan had suggested following the example of former NBA standout Hal Grier, who shot a jumper from the line and was a career 80.1 percent free-throw shooter.

Evans initially wondered how fans might react but he decided he couldn't allow fear to influence his decision.

"If I care too much what people think I wouldn't be out there shooting jump shots," he said. "But I don't. It's about knocking them down. It's about getting wins."