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4 Reasons Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Will Miss the NCAA Tournament

Published

8 months ago

on

Wisconsin Badgers Basketball head coach Greg Gard

After another grueling loss in the Kohl Center Sunday night at the hands of the Northwestern Wildcats, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team’s tournament chances are on life support.

As an optimistic UW fan, this was a tough lede for me to type. But even I’m ready to throw in the towel.

A squad as offensively challenged as the Wisconsin men’s basketball team needs to be smart, scrappy, and tough-minded. On top of this, they need to convert free throw attempts at a high rate, limit turnovers, rebound well on both ends, and take high-percentage shots. Unfortunately, these are all things UW has struggled with in Big Ten play.

It hasn’t been a pretty season at all, and because of that, here are four reasons why the Wisconsin men’s basketball team will fall short of the NCAA tournament in 2023.

Poor Free Throw Shooting

After Sunday night’s loss, the Badgers are now shooting a cumulative 65% from the charity stripe. Honestly, the only guy I feel confident in at the line is Connor Essegian. But the freshman sharpshooter isn’t the issue, it’s the guys who get to the line more frequently. Chucky Hepburn, Steven Crowl, and Tyler Wahl. Crowl and Wahl are shooting just a lick over 60%, while Hepburn is at a 71% clip. It’s not like these aren’t big free throws either — most come down the stretch of tight finishes. Good teams make free throws, and UW hasn’t hit that mark.

Remaining Schedule

The Wisconsin men’s basketball team now sits at two games under .500 in the Big 10 and 13-9 overall. With tough games remaining against Purdue, Penn State, Michigan, Iowa, and Rutgers to name a few, it’s tough to envision the team losing less than at least three games. And with very few top-tier wins during the season (The Kansas win would have been huge), UW’s strength of schedule isn’t anything to write home about. Wisconsin currently sits 67th in the Kenpom adjusted ratings, with a 46th-ranked non-conference strength of schedule and a 19th-ranked overall strength of schedule. As it sits, their best win this season would be the victory at Marquette.

Lack of Offense and Depth

The Badgers rotation realistically only goes 6-7 guys deep before they begin grasping at straws. The only player that has shown the ability to create his own shot consistently has been Hepburn. As a team, the Badgers have shot 36% from deep this season, good for 70th in the NCAA. Not good enough for a team that relies so heavily on it.

Tyler Wahl has been uncharacteristically bad — especially since returning from injury — at finishing in the post, and Crowl now receives double teams, which hampers his ability to control the game down low. Mix in Connor Essegian’s growing pains (even though the future looks bright), and Jordan Davis’ and Max Klesmit’s inability to get to the hoop or consistently knock down threes and you have a team that can’t hang with the big boys of the Big 10.

Lack of Toughness, Physicality, and Basketball IQ

What i’ve noticed always seems to separate Wisconsin men’s basketball teams from the rest is their peskiness. They are tough, physical, and outsmart you on the court.

However, the 2023 squad hasn’t been up to their own standard. They currently rank 345th in the country in offensive rebound percentage, are averaging 8.9 turnovers per game, and don’t seem to have the dive on the floor for loose balls mentality like past groups.

Whether it’s coaching, player mentality, lack of depth, or simply players being in the wrong positions at the wrong time, it has come back to haunt them. Don’t get me wrong, every rotation player has found their niche in 2023, but it simply feels like there are a few pieces missing.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Trent Tetzlaff on Twitter @ttetz5.

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Basketball

Wisconsin Basketball News: Badgers Miss on Blue-Chip Recruit, Scrimmage Announced, More

Published

18 hours ago

on

September 23, 2023

By

Wisconsin basketball; Badgers coach Greg Gard talks to Max Klesmit
Mar. 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a busy week for the Wisconsin basketball program, ladies and gents, but you’re in luck because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important Badgers hoops news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Basketball Misses on Five-Star In-State Recruit 

Five-star shooting guard Kon Knueppel, out of Milwaukee (WI), has been Greg Gard’s top target in the 2024 recruiting class for over two years. 

According to the industry-generated composite recruiting rankings, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter is the No. 16 player in the country, the No. 7 SF, and the No. 1 recruit in America’s Dairyland. 

After taking official visits to Marquette, Alabama, Virginia, Duke, and UW earlier this month, the Badgers learned on Thursday that Knueppel was taking his talents to Durham and joining Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils. 

While the news is undoubtedly disappointing, Wisconsin basketball did everything they could in this recruitment — and even put together a “substantial” NIL package. 

As it stands, UW has the No. 22 ranked recruiting class in the country, holding verbal commitments from Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison in the 2024 cycle.

Wisconsin Badgers Announce Red-White Scrimmage Date 

On Thursday, the University of Wisconsin basketball program put out a press release announcing that the annual Red-White scrimmage will take place on Sunday, October 15, at 4 PM central time. 

Per usual, the Badgers scrimmage will be free, with seating awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The gates will open at 2:30 PM for anyone wanting an up close and personal look at this year’s squad. 

Additionally, this will be the first Wisconsin men’s basketball event in which alcohol will be available for purchase — which is a massive win for Badgers fans. 

One last thing of note: the Red-White scrimmage takes place on a bye week for the Green Bay Packers, a savvy move by the athletic department. 

Other Wisconsin Basketball News

Although Wisconsin basketball is more than likely done in the 2024 cycle and moving on to the 2025 recruiting class, the Badgers coaches are still keeping tabs on top 150 big man Jaden Smith out of Chicago, Illinois.

According to the composite rankings, Smith is the No. 146 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle, the No. 26 C in the country, and the No. 5 player in Illinois.

As it stands, Smith holds offers from Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Dayton, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, St. Louis, TCU, and others. However, Wisconsin Badgers assistant coach Dean Oliver has kept in contact with the 6-foot-11 big man and plans to attend an open gym later this fall to watch Smith again up close.

Smith isn’t your traditional Wisconsin basketball big man. He’s a rim-running shot blocker with above-average athleticism who can make plays above the rim.

His game is still a big raw, but there’s enough untapped potential to warrant maintaining contact in recruitment that is “wide open,” according to Smith. There’s also some mutual interest — so we’ll continue to monitor their relationship now that the Badgers have their answer on Kon Knuppel.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

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Wisconsin Basketball Fans React: Badgers Miss on 5-Star Recruit

Published

3 days ago

on

September 21, 2023

By

Wisconsin Basketball; Badgers recruiting target Kon Knueppel
Wisconsin Lutheran guard Kon Knueppel (33) handles the ball against Pewaukee guard Nick Janowski (25) on Tuesday January 3, 2023, at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Badgers basketball program was in the thick of the recruiting battle for in-state prospect Kon Knueppel. The five-star prospect out of Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee) officially visited UW earlier this year. A sharpshooting wing and top-20 prospect in the nation, the leading scorer on Nike’s EYBL circuit was a highly coveted prospect. After official visits with the Badgers, Marquette, Alabama, Virginia, and Duke, he has made his decision.

Top Wisconsin Basketball Recruiting Target Commits to Duke

The 2024 recruit announced his commitment to the Duke Blue Devils on the website formerly known as Twitter. Wisconsin basketball fans used the same website to voice their opinions on his decision. Some took it in stride. Others, not so much.

Despite what you might think, some level-headed people are on the internet. Even people in college basketball fandom. I know, shocking, right?


At the end of the day, these are teenagers trying to make the best decisions for the future. It is important to remember that. Watching Wisconsin basketball fans take a commitment to another program in stride is always a welcome sight.

Wisconsin Basketball Fans Have Harsh Reaction to Recruit’s Decision

Not all fans took the high road this time. Some had to get some pretty negative feelings out there.


Getting my head checked aside, these last two are so odd to me. “I am not saying this 17-year-old I have never met before is dead to me, but I did want to say it.” Or do you prefer, “I want to say a lot of mean things, but do not fret! I am showing restraint at this time!” Who asked? At least they make for good content for me to riff on!

Wisconsin Basketball Fans Want Greg Gard Fired

Check your watch! What time do you have? Mine must be broken because it says it is once again time to fire Badgers head coach Greg Gard. The Wisconsin basketball head coach, who has won two of the last four Big Ten titles, simply cannot manage to do anything right.


Maybe this was a bad metaphor. A broken watch is still right twice a day, after all. Oh well, it stays in.

Wisconsin Sports Celebrities Comment On Kon Knueppel Committing to Duke

Okay, “celebrities” (multiple) may be pushing it. I mean no disrespect to the Don – the one real celebrity here. Scary Alvarez and Packers beat reporter Rob Demovsky added their thoughts on Knueppel’s commitment Thursday night.


Despite losing out on Knueppel, Wisconsin basketball still has a solid 2024 recruiting class. The group ranks 22nd nationally and fifth in the Big Ten according to the 247Sports Composite. It is comprised of two commits, Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison.

Wisconsin Football Fans React: Badgers Defeat Georgia Southern

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Kedrick Stumbris on Twitter @KedrickStumbris.

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Wisconsin Basketball Announces 2023-24 Big Ten Schedule

Published

4 days ago

on

September 20, 2023

By

Wisconsin Badgers basketball head coach Greg Gard
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard is shown during the second half of their game Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Purdue beat Wisconsin 63-61.

You read that right: Wisconsin Basketball is right around the corner. Although football season just started, it’s never too early to talk Badgers hoops.

The Big Ten released the 2023-2024 men’s basketball schedule. Just like last year, Wisconsin will have one conference game in December and then return to Big Ten play again in January. This is one of the toughest and most exciting schedules I have seen recently.

Let’s take a look at some early thoughts on the schedule.

Wisconsin Basketball Has a Tough First Week of December

I mentioned how tough this schedule will be for Wisconsin basketball, and the first week of December is indicative of that. The Badgers will host Marquette on December 2nd, travel to East Lansing for their Big Ten opener against Michigan State on December 5th, and then head to Arizona on December 9th.

Safe to say, Wisconsin basketball fans will get a good sense of how great this team can be early on.

Wisconsin Basketball Has an Exciting Home Schedule

The Kohl Center should be rocking this year. Wisconsin basketball has a plethora of really intriguing home games this season. UW will have 13 games this year where they face a NCAA tournament team from last year. With nine of those being at the Kohl Center. Five Friday night home games, which include matchups with Tennessee, Indiana, and Michigan State.

On top of that, 5 Saturday/Sunday home games, including matchups with Marquette, Purdue, and Illinois. With the addition of alcohol being served at the Kohl Center now, I expect the Wisconsin basketball home crowd to be rowdy this year!

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Griffin Gamble on Twitter, @gamble_griffin3

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Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to BadgerNotes After Dark on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the official Wisconsin Badgers podcast of the Big Banter Sports Network.

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