State of the Program:
The Badgers enter the 2023 season with virtually everyone back from last season’s up and down group. They started 11-2 and then Tyler Wahl got injured, and while he only missed 3 games (all losses) he clearly was hobbled much of the rest of the season. They finished 6-11 and just missed the tournament, but with a healthy Wahl back this season and some development expected from the rest of the young roster, hopes are much higher heading into this season. Gard hasn’t been Bo Ryan good in his 8 season’s thus far, but he has only missed the tournament twice and has gotten to 2 Sweet 16’s so it has been decent. What they really need to improve this season is their offense (140th a season ago per Kenpom), which was the worst season under Gard, albeit not surprising given his style of play. It relies a ton on making outside shots and they shot just 34% from deep, and with no real 1 on 1 scorers like they’ve had in the past, see Johnny Davis or Ethan Happ, they really struggled to score. Defensively they’re fantastic, 19th overall, and that should roll over into this year, but if they can’t find a way to shoot it more consistently they could be in for another up and down year that falls short of expectations. I see improvements happening, especially with FR Connor Essegian who shot 36%, which for a FR is fantastic given how much they usually struggle to shoot the ball in year 1. Add in the transfer guard they brought in and I think the Badgers stand to improve offensively and be a real force atop the Big Ten. They’re not Purdue or Michigan St, but they should be nipping at their heels all season long.
What’s New:
Transfers:
AJ Storr [St. John’s]
Storr comes to the Badgers after a really productive first season with St. John’s which saw his usage increase throughout the year, starting the last 17 games. He is a guy Wisconsin desperately needed as he immediately becomes the best athlete on their roster and he shot 40% from 3 a year ago. He can get out in transition and is explosive on straight line drives, something the Badgers don’t have on this roster. As far as transfers go this was a sneaky fantastic get for Gard, as I think Storr can be a difference maker for the Badgers and has a couple years of eligibility left. He is going to come in and battle Klesmit and Essegian for a starting spot alongside Hepburn in the backcourt, but either way those 4 combined should get the lions share of minutes and will be a much better unit with Storr involved.
Freshman Class:
Gus Yalden
Gus Yalden is an awesome prospect, a throwback game for a guy built like a LT he is going to be a fun guy to watch in the B10 for the next 4 years. As I’m sure you could guess, he isn’t the most gifted athlete in the world, but man is he effective with a crafty post-up game and the ability to shoot the rock from 3. He is going to be a menace as an on the ball screener, as he can roll to the bucket like a freight train or can just pop out for 3 with a pretty looking jumper. He has no real NBA upside, but has that all-conference Big 10 Center written all over him. He will be a dominant force one day, and potentially even have a role off the bench in year 1 behind Crowl. [Comp – Luke Harangody]
Nolan Winter
Winter comes to Wisconsin looking to be another in a long lineage of Badger big men who come in as an unheralded recruit and develop into an all-conference big. He has the size and shows promise as a prospect but has a ways to go skill wise. His jumper could develop nicely, but it’s slow to release right now, and he’s going to need to fill out his wiry frame to contend with the other bigs in this Conference. He could go the Coleman Hawkins route and focus on shooting and being a stretch big, or more of the Ethan Happ route and develop his post game. Either way, he needs a few years to develop before he can have a major impact.
John Blackwell
Blackwell comes to Madison with some promise down the road, as he’s a gifted athlete that has already shown some ability to score at all 3 levels. He’ll need to learn how to defend and play under control with the ball in his hands to ever make it in this program, but if he can do that his athleticism could be big for Wisky down the line. It’s rare to see a guy redshirt and then make it multiple years in a program but that’s the hope from Gard with Blackwell. No room in the backcourt this year, but one day this kid could have an impact.
2023-24 Prediction
This Wisconsin team doesn’t have the ceiling of a team a la 2022 with Johnny Davis, but this group is as solid as it gets below that elite tier. I love the backcourt of Hepburn, Essigian, Klesmit and Storr as they are all really good shooters and Storr is going to help relieve some of the playmaking duties from Chucky in the half-court. They were a top-20 team defensively last year, that’s not going anywhere, it’s going to come down to scoring the basketball consistently. If they can get more efficient, they can really compete with these top teams in the Big Ten, and maybe be right there battling for a Ship come late February. They are right there with Purdue and Sparty with returning talent, they just have to find a way to close the gap between them that existed a season ago. I don’t see them winning the Conference, but being right there as that 2nd tier in the Big Ten is my expectation. Tyler Wahl is the question mark, as last year was marred with injuries but it was a huge regression year, down from a 107 offensive rating to 93. He went from 57% from 2 to 42%. Much of that could be due to injury, and a return to his previous form could also help elevate this Badger team. So much promise, but there’s till that chance they can’t score and find themselves struggling once again to sniff the tourney. I like them, I’m buying the promise, but with much caution.
5-STAR Bracketology 