MADISON, Wis. -- Most loyal University of Wisconsin fans know the Badger men's basketball team is one big family. This week, WISC-TV is getting to know some of their families off the court.

For the past 10 years, the Flowers family has been the top high school basketball family in Madison, WISC-TV reported.

From a family of five boys, Michael, the youngest, developed into a key player for the Badgers. Michael Flowers credits his four older brothers and mother with his success. Some have called Marques, J.J., Jason, Jonte and Michael Flowers the "Fantastic Five." The brothers have filled enough highlight reels to fill an entire sports office.

"Basketball has been the glue that has kept us together in my opinion," said Marques Flowers.

Their Madison story began when their mother Angela, originally from Chicago, was raising them all alone in Iowa. Angela Kier was seeking a better life for her boys when a 1996 Money Magazine article caught her eye. The article named Madison the top place to live in the U.S. and she brought the six of them to Wisconsin, WISC-TV reported.

If they weren't at home or school, the Flowers boys' game was blossoming at the Lussier Family YMCA on Cottage Grove Road.

"We would come up here (to the Lussier Family YMCA), and I don't think my mom worried at all about us for our safety," said Michael Flowers.

"You know it was something that we all shared. Something that I personally have learned a lot from in my own individual experience," said Marques Flowers.

After years of schooling on the court from Marques and JJ, the youngest of the Flowers brothers, Jason, Jonte and Michael, led LaFollette High School to a state championship.

"In high school after practice I would come here (YMCA) and shoot until, you know, the janitors would turn the lights off," said Michael Flowers. "And I mean, that is pretty much what I did in high school is come here and just play basketball."

"I think us sharing that and those different lessons that you learn from basketball, you know we all have different things that we have experienced through basketball," said Marques. "We can all share those experiences."

"I pretty much grew up in this gym," said Michael. "This is kind of weird being back in here; a lot of good memories. That rim, I beat him. On that rim I dunked on him. So I'll never forget this gym. No matter what."

Marques Flower added jokingly: "I got shot that day, I just got out of the hospital, I had a 110-degree fever, and I still sucked it up and got up enough courage to come down here. He wanted to play. So I figured I would go out help my little brother work on his game and, you know, the ungrateful little guy goes out and beats me. So what can I say?"

Before they beat each other, the men had to beat their mom. Angie Kier was a pretty good player herself; good enough to play for Madison Area Technical College, or MATC, while she took classes there at age 40.

Now, even though only her baby Michael is heading back to where it all started, in Chicago, to play on college basketball's biggest stage, every one of her boys will be wearing No. 22 for the cardinal and white.

"Having the five boys is kind of symbolic of a basketball team," said Angie Kier. "That just represents what our family is. It's just a big team. The Y was a home away from home for us. I knew they were secure. Actually, I would come down here sometimes and play with them and get some exercise."

"I am proud of all of them," said Kier. "Even though I have two that are succeeding in basketball, they are all succeeding in life. And that makes me really proud."

Tuesday night is tournament time for Jonte Flowers. He plays for defending NCAA Division 2 National Champion Winona State. The team is in the Division 2 Sweet 16 on Tuesday night, taking on Minnesota State-Mankato. Winona State, with Jonte, won its 54th straight game on Sunday, March 11.

Note: As part of an ongoing series of stories, catch up with one of the busiest families connected to the Badgers basketball team, the Landrys, on Tuesday.