Sometimes recruiting momentum feels manufactured. Sometimes it’s real. Right now, the Wisconsin football program is on a heater with in-state recruits in the 2027 class — and this one is another significant domino.

Subscribe now

Four-star running back Kingston Allen announced his commitment to the Badgers, giving Luke Fickell and his staff a dynamic, homegrown playmaker to anchor the class. Allen chose Wisconsin over scholarship offers from Northwestern, Eastern Michigan, North Dakota State, and North Dakota, continuing a trend that’s become impossible to ignore.

Running backs coach Jayden Everett, who recently took over the role following Devon Spalding’s departure, served as the lead recruiter for the First Team All-State selection, building a strong relationship and helping position Wisconsin as the clear leader throughout the process.

“Blessed to make the commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison!!! Staying home 🦡🦡🦡,” Allen wrote.

The best players in the state are starting to stay home again.

And Allen isn’t just another name on the recruiting board. He’s widely viewed as one of the top players in Wisconsin — No. 1 in the state, depending on the service — and a top-10 running back nationally in the 2027 cycle. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he brings the kind of size, burst, and versatility that fits exactly what Wisconsin has traditionally leaned on at the position, while still offering some explosiveness in the open field.

If you watched his junior season, the production speaks for itself.

Allen carried the ball 356 times for 3,436 yards and 57 touchdowns — both single-season state records — averaging 9.7 yards per carry and over 260 yards per game. That’s not just dominance. That’s control of a game from start to finish and doing so as an absolute workhorse.

And it didn’t stop when the lights got brighter.

During the WIAA state playoffs, Allen went on a run that bordered on absurd — 986 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns across his first two postseason games, including back-to-back performances of 477 and 509 yards. The junior tailback led Notre Dame Academy to a 13–1 record and a Division 2 state runner-up finish en route to Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year honors.

That matters.

Because it’s one thing to project talent. It’s another to watch a player consistently impose his will on defenses, regardless of situation or stage.

Allen’s game isn’t complicated. It’s efficient, explosive (runs a 4.50 40-yard dash), and physical. He sees it, hits it, and has the ability to run through contact or make defenders miss in space — traits that have him ranked as a top-200 recruit nationally in the 247Sports Composite.

There’s enough there in the passing game to keep defenses honest, and even some defensive experience that speaks to his overall athletic profile.

But zoom out for a second, because this is bigger than one player.

With Allen now in the fold, Wisconsin is up to eight commitments in the 2027 class — and all eight are from inside state lines. That group includes tight end Korz Loken, offensive linemen Cole Reiter, Hunter and Reece Mallinger, Ethan McIntosh, edge rusher Isaac Miller, and safety Dustin Roach.

That’s not accidental.

For a coaching staff that, at times, has been criticized for falling behind or neglecting in-state recruiting, this is what a course correction looks like. Identify the top players early. Build relationships. Stay consistent. Close.

And to their credit, they’ve done that.

This isn’t just about volume, either. On paper, this is shaping up to be one of the stronger in-state classes Wisconsin has seen in a while, and the Badgers are taking advantage of it — something that undoubtedly helps the program’s optics. Luke Fickell and his staff have hit on premium positions, stacked the offensive line, found projects, and now added a difference-maker at running back, with increased investment from the administration playing a role in helping make that push possible.

There’s still a long way to go. There always is in recruiting. But if you’re looking for signs that Wisconsin is serious about reestablishing its identity — not just on the field, but within its own borders — this is what it looks like. And with Allen in the class, that momentum just got a little more real.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

There’s a fine line between identity and imbalance, and the Wisconsin men’s basketball team spent most of the 2025-26 season walking it.

Subscribe now

A season filled with so much promise ended with an 83-82 loss to High Point in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament — a No. 5 seed bounced early, and a result that makes you reflect on a team that showed an incredibly high ceiling but ultimately fell short of expectations.

But if you zoom out, you start to see something more nuanced.

Because this wasn’t just about one game. It was about the trade-offs this team made that defined Wisconsin’s season.

Read more

The Wisconsin men’s basketball staff isn’t done exploring opportunities within its 2026 recruiting class.

Subscribe now

In fact, the Wisconsin Badgers have now entered the mix for one of the most decorated in-state prospects available, extending a late scholarship offer to Zavier Zens out of Wisconsin Lutheran, as he shared on Instagram.

This move comes shortly after he reopened his recruitment following a release from his National Letter of Intent with Northern Iowa.

Timing matters here.

Zens had been committed to Northern Iowa since August 2025, but when longtime head coach Ben Jacobson left for the Utah State job, that changed everything. Suddenly, one of the most accomplished players in the state was back on the board — and programs didn’t waste time.

Before reopening his recruitment, Zens held offers from Colorado State, Northern Iowa, Buffalo, Miami (OH), Toledo, Wyoming, and Drake. Since then, Utah State, Wisconsin, and Illinois have all jumped into the mix.

And when you look at what Zens brings to the table, it’s not hard to understand why.

At 6-foot-7 and around 215 pounds, the Milwaukee native fits the mold of what this staff has leaned into — a skilled, versatile wing who can space the floor, make plays, and impact the game in multiple ways. This past season, Zens put together one of the more dominant years you’ll find at the high school level, averaging 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 61.8% from the field and 41.7% from three.

That’s not empty production, either.

He led Wisconsin Lutheran to a perfect 30-0 record and a third consecutive state title, earning Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year honors, Mr. Basketball, and honorable mention All-American recognition along the way. That’s a résumé that speaks for itself.

But beyond the numbers, it’s the skill set that stands out.

Zens can score at all three levels. He’s comfortable handling the ball. He sees the floor. And with his size on the wing, there’s a natural fit within what the Wisconsin Badgers want to do offensively — a system built around spacing, shooting, selflessness, and sound decision-making.

That matters.

Because when you look at how this roster is evolving, there’s a clear type.

The Badgers have already signed New Zealand guard Jackson Ball in the 2026 class, along with in-state forward LaTrevion Fenderson — two players who bring positional versatility and developmental upside. Adding someone like Zens would fall right in line with that approach.

And it also helps offset movement elsewhere.

With players like Jack Robison entering the transfer portal, there’s an opportunity to continue building out that wing depth with players who can grow into roles over time. Not every addition has to be plug-and-play. Some are about development. About fit. About building a foundation.

That’s where a player like Zens makes sense.

Now, this won’t be uncontested.

Illinois has already entered the picture, and there’s still the possibility of Zens following his previous coach to Utah State. Marquette is also believed to be in the mix and could present an appealing option for a number of reasons. This recruitment is going to have layers to it.

But for Wisconsin, there’s a bigger picture at play.

In-state recruiting still matters here. Maybe more than ever.

Finding players who understand the program, who are willing to work on their game, who buy into what Wisconsin asks of them — that’s how this thing has historically been built. And in an era dominated by the transfer portal, there’s still value in identifying and investing in players like that.

Especially when they have a skill set worth developing.

The transfer portal officially opens on April 7, and that’s where the bulk of the Badgers’ roster construction will take place. Wisconsin will build from the top down — starting with retaining its stars, then identifying impact additions, and finally filling the remaining scholarship spots.

But those open scholarships matter. And when Zens makes his way to Madison for an official visit, it’ll be another opportunity for the Badgers to make their case and sell him on long-term development within an offensive system that has proven it can maximize players with his profile.

Wisconsin’s staff had previously shown interest in Zens, and with the opportunity to circle back and re-evaluate, they’re now in a position to revisit that initial eval. He has taken a step forward over the course of his senior season, and this feels like the type of late-cycle opportunity where you take a calculated swing on a player whose game has clearly grown.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

The University of Wisconsin football team’s coaching staff is doing everything it can to change the narrative around in-state recruiting — and so far, it’s working.

Subscribe now

The Badgers added another statement to that effort, landing verbal commitments from Sussex (Wis.) twin offensive linemen Hunter and Reece Mallinger, two prospects in the 2027 class who became priority targets.

Both held a strong list of Power Four offers — including Missouri, Iowa State, North Carolina, and Kansas — with Hunter drawing even more attention individually, picking up additional offers from programs like Duke, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The decision didn’t come out of nowhere. Both prospects had been on Wisconsin’s radar for some time, and after several visits to Madison, the twins narrowed their recruitment down to Wisconsin and Kansas before ultimately choosing to stay home.

That matters.

“It means the world. It’s every kid’s dream to play for the home state school, and I get the chance to live it,” Reece Mallinger told BadgerNotes.

Because for a program that has taken some criticism in recent years for letting in-state talent slip away, stacking wins like this — especially with players who had legitimate Power Four options — is how you begin to rebuild trust both inside the state and with high school coaches across it.

Hunter Mallinger headlines the commitment from a recruiting rankings standpoint.

“I’m blessed to say I’m committing to the University of Wisconsin! Badger Nation, I’m home!🦡,” Hunter wrote.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman checks in as a composite four-star prospect, ranked inside the top 400 nationally according to the composite. While he spent much of his junior season working at tackle, the expectation at the next level is that he’ll likely slide inside, where his frame, physicality, and developmental upside project well at guard.

He’s the type of prospect Wisconsin has built its identity around for years — long, athletic, mauling, and moldable in a strength program that has historically turned traits into production.

Reece Mallinger brings a similar profile, even if the recruiting rankings aren’t quite as high.

“Getting the chance to play with my twin brother is something truly special. We have an opportunity that people rarely go through, and I’m just excited to see where it goes,” Mallinger said.

At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, Reece is ranked inside the top 1,000 nationally and projects as an interior offensive lineman at the next level. Like his brother, he spent time at tackle for Hamilton, but also showed the flexibility to move around the formation and play wherever needed.

Both brothers earned WFCA All-Region honors last season, further validating what the staff saw on tape.

And just as important as the evaluation is how Wisconsin got here.

Offensive line coach Eric Mateos played a significant role in building the relationship, establishing a connection quickly after taking over for AJ Blazek. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Casey Rabach, and head coach Luke Fickell were also involved throughout the process, helping reinforce the vision for what these players could become in the program.

That level of involvement shows up in decisions like this.

Because when a recruitment comes down to relationships and trust, especially for in-state prospects, it’s often less about selling a pitch and more about reinforcing a belief.

“Relationships were the biggest factor for me. Everyone at Wisconsin has been very supportive and caring,” Mallinger said.

With the Mallinger twins now in the fold, Wisconsin is up to seven commitments in the 2027 recruiting class — and notably, all seven are from inside state lines. Hunter and Reece join fellow in-state prospects, Cole Reiter (offensive line), Korz Loken (tight end), Isaac Miller (edge), Dustin Roach (safety), and Ethan McIntosh (offensive line).

That’s not accidental.

It’s a reflection of a staff that understands where it needs to improve and is taking tangible steps to address it. With four offensive line commitments now in the class — including McIntosh and Reiter — the Badgers are clearly prioritizing building a strong foundation up front.

There’s still a long way to go in the 2027 cycle. There always is. Verbal commitments aren’t worth anything until the ink dries on National Signing Day. But if Wisconsin is going to reestablish itself as a program that keeps the best talent in-state, it starts with moments like this — identifying priorities early, building relationships, and closing when it matters.

And in landing the Mallinger twins, they did exactly that.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

There’s something brewing in the state of Wisconsin right now, and if you’ve been paying attention, it’s hard to ignore.

Subscribe now

The 2027 class isn’t just solid for a group of in-state recruits — it’s loaded. Depending on where you look, you’re talking about four, maybe five in-state prospects carrying four-star grades, and six guys in the top 200, which isn’t something that happens here often. And when that kind of talent shows up in your backyard, it’s not just an opportunity. It’s a test.

Can you keep it at home?

That’s where things start with a player like Donovan Davis.

The 6-foot-7 forward out of Kaukauna (WI.) has established himself as one of the top players in the state, and now, the Wisconsin men’s basketball staff will have a chance to make a lasting impression. Davis has locked in an official visit to Madison on April 13, according to a report from Dushawn London. It will be the first of several stops he has lined up this spring.

That matters.

In recruiting, especially at the Power Four level, getting that first official visit isn’t everything. But it’s not nothing either. It gives Wisconsin the first real opportunity to set the tone, to lay out its vision, showcase what it has to offer, and to make a case before the rest of the field gets its turn.

And there will be plenty of competition.

Davis has visits scheduled with Iowa, Marquette, Nebraska, and Iowa State — programs that aren’t just kicking the tires here. Iowa State, in particular, has made a habit of coming into Wisconsin and leaving with top talent, landing the state’s No. 1 player in each of the last two cycles.

So no, this won’t be easy.

But Wisconsin does have something working in its favor — familiarity.

They were the first program to offer Davis back in June of 2024. He’s been on campus multiple times already. There’s a level of comfort there, and in today’s recruiting world, that still counts for something.

Now the question becomes whether they can turn that into momentum.

Because Davis isn’t just a name on a board. He’s a legitimate national prospect. A consensus top-35 player with a skill set that jumps out the moment you watch him. He averaged 21.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per game during the high school season, leading Freedom to a 25-2 record and earning First Team All-State honors.

And on the EYBL circuit with Team Herro, he’s held his own against high-level competition, averaging 12.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and nearly three assists per game across the sessions Davis played in last summer.

That’s production. That’s versatility. That’s a player who impacts the game in multiple ways. Which is exactly why this recruitment is what it is.

For Greg Gard and his coaching staff, though, this is about more than just landing one player. It’s about positioning. High school recruiting still matters — especially when the talent is this close to home — but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum anymore. The transfer portal will dictate how the top of your roster is built. That’s just the reality of the sport right now.

So when you get into a recruitment like this, you’re not just selling an immediate opportunity. You’re selling development. Fit. A pathway.

And Wisconsin has shown it can do that — and they’ve built an offensive system that has produced high-level performers, with an up-tempo, spacing-based style that’s become increasingly attractive to players.

At the same time, they’ve cast a wide net across the state. Offers have gone out to names like Kager Knueppel (Wisconsin Lutheran), Jalen Brown (Wauwatosa West), Deuce McDuffie (Nicolet), and Jack Kohnen (Slinger). At the same time, the Badgers have also positioned themselves in regional battles, including for Minnesota prospect Baboucarr Ann.

No commitments yet in 2027. Still early.

But this is where it starts to take shape. Because Wisconsin’s staff absolutely wants to come out of this in-state class with a few key pieces — and if they can find a way to win some of these battles and keep that talent home, it changes the trajectory of the roster in a meaningful way.

And getting Davis on campus first? That’s a step in that direction.

Wisconsin might not be considered the favorite right now, but in today’s landscape, things can shift quickly — staffs change, the portal reshapes rosters and scholarship availability, and timelines move fast. A lot of this, especially as it pertains to the Badgers, is going to come down to timing.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

There’s no good way to move on from a loss like the Wisconsin Badgers had in Round 1 against High Point, but in today’s college basketball landscape, you don’t really get the luxury of sitting idle for very long.

Subscribe now

The offseason starts the moment the clock hits zero — and if we’re being honest, it typically begins well before that. And for Wisconsin’s front office, that means balancing two things at once — acknowledging the frustration of another early NCAA Tournament exit while also recognizing that this program is still operating from a position of strength.

Because both can be true.

Greg Gard and his staff built a team this year that could score with anyone in the country. That wasn’t accidental. It was a conscious shift made over the last few years as they leaned into spacing, tempo, and offensive efficiency.

The result? A group that averaged 83.0 points per game, the program’s highest scoring output in more than five decades, and one of the most efficient offenses Wisconsin has had in the modern era.

They knew what they were building. And they’re owning it.

But the trade-off was real, too. Defensively, this wasn’t up to the standard Wisconsin has historically set. The balance wasn’t quite there. And in March, when possessions tighten and margins shrink, that showed up.

So now the question becomes simple. How do you maintain what made you dangerous as a team — while fixing what held you back?

That’s the puzzle this offseason.

And it starts, as it always does now, with retention.

There’s a strong belief internally that if Wisconsin can keep the right core pieces in place, they’ll once again be in position to go out and add impact talent through the portal. This staff has earned that benefit of the doubt.

They’ve adapted to this era as well as anyone — identifying fits, developing them, and, more often than not, hitting on key additions. You don’t have to look far for proof. AJ Storr. John Tonje. Nick Boyd. It’s not hard to sell that track record to players on the open market when you can point to what those guys were able to do in this system.

And it’s why there’s confidence they can do it again. With the transfer portal officially opening on April 7, what this staff targets this time around matters — because the needs are pretty clearly defined.

Read more

Many narratives have helped define the first three years of the Luke Fickell era at Wisconsin. Consistent quarterback play isn’t one of them.

Subscribe now

To say that durability at that position has been a problem would be an understatement. Injuries have dictated far too much of the offensive story, even though the plan since Fickell arrived has been to build around a mobile quarterback. However, the Badgers’ preferred starter entering a season has finished just 11 of 37 games, and only two of the last 24.

By the end of Wisconsin’s underwhelming 4–8 campaign in 2025, the Badgers had become the only Big Ten team to have four different quarterbacks attempt at least 10 passes in a single season, which is a level of instability the football program hadn’t seen since 1956.

And yet, here they are, leaning even further into a model that inherently carries risk.

Entering Year 4 at Wisconsin, Fickell sits at 17–21 overall and 10–17 in Big Ten play, and the urgency to turn the program around is obvious. The Badgers’ offense needs to turn the corner in a meaningful way after finishing No. 134 nationally in scoring offense (12.8 points per game) and No. 135 in total offense (253.1 yards per game) last season.

That’s why the staff made Colton Joseph a priority target in the transfer portal, bringing in the former Old Dominion standout on a two-year deal to help orchestrate the system offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes wants to run.

And what Joseph brings to the room is exactly what Wisconsin has been missing — production, explosiveness, and a true dual-threat element that forces opposing defenses to account for him on every snap.

Through 19 career starts, Joseph has already produced at a high level, totaling 4,251 passing yards (8.3 YPA) and 32 touchdowns through the air, along with 1,654 rushing yards and 24 scores as a runner.

But that’s also where the tension lives.

Because the very thing that makes Joseph dynamic — his legs — is also what raises the biggest question: how much is too much?

Read more

An international player from the Wisconsin men’s basketball team’s frontcourt is set to finish his career elsewhere.

Subscribe now

After sophomore wing Jack Robison became the first Badger to enter the NCAA transfer portal, forward Riccardo Greppi has now followed suit, announcing his intention to move on after two seasons in the program, according to Bucky’s Burrow.

The 6-foot-10, 255-pound forward from Italy appeared in 22 career games during his time in Madison, serving primarily as a depth piece in a frontcourt that consistently had established options ahead of him.

This past season, Greppi appeared in 14 games, logging limited minutes while recording five total rebounds and two assists. As a true freshman, he saw action in eight games, finishing with eight points and nine rebounds while showing effort in spot opportunities early in the year.

But like a lot of players at the back end of the rotation, expanding that role next season looked like it was going to be an uphill climb. At the Power Four level, the best teams don’t have the luxury of waiting long on development. And if you don’t show you’re ready to make that jump into someone who can produce, the path to minutes can close quickly.

Heading into next season, there just didn’t appear to be a clear path for Greppi, especially with Wisconsin’s frontcourt likely to remain crowded.

Nolan Winter, predictably, emerged as a centerpiece. Austin Rapp carved out a major role and improved as the season wore on. Aleksas Bieliauskas took on significant minutes as a freshman. And Will Garlock continued to develop into a back-end rotational option with size and mobility. Those are all players that the staff is expected to prioritize retaining, which made the path forward for someone like Greppi increasingly difficult to project.

That’s the reality of the roster right now. And in today’s transfer portal era, those situations tend to resolve themselves quickly.

Greppi’s value internally, though, went beyond what showed up in the box score. He was a physical presence in practice. A willing rebounder. Someone who embraced the work behind the scenes, helping simulate opposing frontcourts and pushing the players ahead of him to be better. Coaches value that. Teammates value that. It matters more than people realize.

But at some point, players want — and need — an opportunity.

With his size and frame, there’s going to be interest. Everyone needs frontcourt depth. Greppi has international experience, a willingness to do the dirty work, and he brings traits that college basketball programs look for when building out depth and frontcourt rotation pieces.

It just never quite came together for him at Wisconsin, but that doesn’t mean it won’t somewhere else. Offensively, Greppi didn’t bring a ton to the table in terms of spacing or 3-point shooting, which is a key part of how Wisconsin wants to play. In a system built around floor spacing and skill, that made it even tougher to carve out a consistent role.

For Greppi, this is a chance to find a better fit — a program where the path to minutes is clearer and where his skill set can be utilized more consistently. He’s shown flashes as a rebounder, and there’s some intriguing feel there as a passer for a player his size. In the right situation, those traits could translate into a more defined role.

And for Wisconsin, it’s another unsurprising step in what’s shaping up to be an active offseason as the staff continues to evaluate, retain, and retool the roster while managing its available scholarship spots.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

The University of Wisconsin football team’s defense showed signs of progress in Year 3 under Mike Tressel, particularly against the run, where it consistently gave offenses problems and forced games into uncomfortable territory. But zoom out, and the picture still had its flaws.

Subscribe now

The secondary lacked consistency, explosive plays slipped through at the wrong times, and as sturdy as the front seven looked, replacing that type of production now becomes part of the challenge. According to Game on Paper, Wisconsin finished the 2025 season ranked 54th nationally in defensive EPA per play, 73rd in EPA per dropback, and 25th in EPA per rush, reflecting a unit that was good against the run but uneven overall.

“I think they’ve got a good beat on what we need to do and how we need to do it,” Luke Fickell said after the season finale. “They played well. The guys up front, in particular, were the strength and consistency of the defense, and they grew throughout the entire season. But the truth is, I think they’re in a good place and moving in a really good direction.”

That’s the reality of where this unit sits entering the spring. There’s something to build on, but also something to prove. Wisconsin attacked the offseason with that in mind, adding new pieces, reshaping the depth chart, and creating competition across multiple levels of the defense.

So when Tressel met with reporters during spring practice, the tone wasn’t about starting over; it was about what comes next.

Takeaways, third downs are areas for growth

If there was one place that Tressel didn’t hesitate to own the Badgers’ shortcomings a season ago, it was here.

“The critical areas are takeaways, and third and long being dominant,” Tressel said. “Those are two areas where you can’t survive and be a great team if you’re just okay in those areas.”

That’s the next step. And it’s not hard to see why.

Wisconsin got after the quarterback at times last season, something that had been a clear point of emphasis, but the production stopped short of turning into game-changing moments. The Badgers finished the year with just five interceptions and four forced fumbles. Of those, only one was recovered. Six total takeaways across an entire season is pretty limiting.

“A lot of focus in terms of takeaways,” Tressel added. “The focus is not just the count every day, but it’s the ball awareness and opportunity awareness. All the time I want to see it. They’re aware exactly where that ball is, and they know exactly when the opportunities are. So ball awareness, opportunity awareness will lead to takeaways, and you can see the confidence in the back end leading to more takeaways as well.”

That’s where the conversation shifts from effort to execution. Wisconsin has built out the roster to give itself a chance. The secondary has been reshaped with new faces and added competition. The defensive line has more veteran bodies to rotate through as pass rushers. And the inside linebacker group remains one of the more dynamic units on the roster.

On paper, the depth is better. The structure is there.

But for a defense that finished 24th nationally in total defense a year ago (323.5 yards per game), this isn’t about holding steady; it’s about finishing drives.

“A simple plan executed violently is always better than a plan where guys are thinking,” Tressel said. “So it’ll build, but the main thing is a simple plan executed violently.”

And that’s the line to watch.

Because if the front seven comes together again and the secondary proves to be better, there’s a path for this group to perform at a more familiar level due to a manageable schedule. But if the takeaways don’t come, if third-and-long continues to be a missed opportunity instead of a strength, it becomes harder to argue this unit is fully back on track.

Not yet, anyway.

Wisconsin likes depth and competition at inside linebacker

For all the attention that’s rightfully gone to Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano in the linebacker room, the more interesting development this spring might be what’s building behind — and alongside of them.

There’s a growing sense that Wisconsin is preparing to lean into more three-linebacker looks, and that only works if you trust the depth.

Right now, the staff does.

Thomas Heiberger is a big part of that. The 6-foot-4 linebacker out of South Dakota was a quiet but important retention win this offseason—someone the staff believes in as a developmental piece with real upside.

He appeared in 11 games a year ago, making three starts, logging 95 defensive snaps, per PFF, and finished with seven total tackles.

Then there’s Jon Jon Kamara, a transfer addition from Kansas who brings a different kind of juice to the room. Kamara played in all 12 games last season under Lance Leipold, totaling 13 tackles, three pressures, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks across 238 defensive snaps.

Put them together, and you start to see the framework.

“What I like is that there’s a competition amongst a bunch of guys,” said Tressel. “Talking about Catalano and Posa. Of course, of course, they’ve proven they’re really good players. But I see Tommy and Jon certainly being in a position to push them. Because if you just have two, and there’s no one pushing them, how are we going to get better? We ultimately know you’ve got to get your best players on the field and do what they do best.”

That’s the point. This isn’t just about finding two starters; they have those. It’s about building out a room where you’re forced to get your best players on the field, even if that means adjusting the structure to do it.

“I think both of those guys can rush the passer. They have length in coverage. And they can run,” Tressel added. “I don’t feel like we’re losing a whole bunch in coverage other than maybe some man things when we’re out there with three backers.”

And when you pair those traits Heiberger and Kamara possess with what Posa and Catalano already bring to the table, it gives Wisconsin something it hasn’t had at that position in recent years — options.

What that ultimately looks like is still taking shape. But the competition for snaps is real, the depth feels improved, and the ceiling of that room under Tuf Borland will start to come into focus with time. Notably, JUCO transfer Taylor Schaefer and veteran Aaron Witt are still in the mix as well.

New-look secondary has Tressel ‘fired up’

If there was one position group that needed a reset this offseason, it was the secondary. And to their credit, Wisconsin’s staff didn’t tiptoe around those weaknesses; they attacked them in the transfer portal.

After struggling in man coverage and allowing too many chunk plays through the air, the staff made it a priority to upgrade both the talent and competition at corner. The result is a completely reshaped room, headlined by transfer additions like Javan Robinson (Arizona State), Bryce West (Ohio State), Cai Bates (Florida State), and Eric Fletcher (Oklahoma State).

On paper, it’s one of the more intriguing position groups on the roster. And early returns have caught the attention of Tressel and the staff.

“They had me really fired up,” Tressel said. “The competition that you can see between them is all positive. The energy in the corner room is as good as I’ve seen in quite some time. They’re all loving ball, pushing each other, they’re talented, and they can run.”

But as much as anything is, there’s a lot of juice in there where they’re pushing each other. The word “competition” keeps coming up. And it matters.

“There’s a lot of juice in there where they’re pushing each other,” Tressel added.

You can connect the dots here. For all the talk about increased resources and investment behind the scenes, this is where it shows up on the field.

Wisconsin went out and added a mix of proven production and high-upside talent — players who, in some cases, were waiting for the right opportunity to prove themselves on the field. And the Badgers had plenty of snaps to sell to corners on the open market.

There’s no guarantee it all clicks right away. That’s just the reality of rebuilding a room from top to bottom.

But internally, there’s a quiet confidence building, not just in the players themselves, but in what this group allows Wisconsin to be schematically.

More options. More speed. More attitude. And if that translates the way they believe it can, it changes the ceiling of the defense significantly.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

They say the best in-state products stay home. Around Wisconsin, that idea used to feel less like a pitch and more like a given — a natural pipeline from Friday nights to Camp Randall on Saturdays.

Subscribe now

Lately, though, that hasn’t always been the case.

Which is why this one matters.

Wisconsin football landed arguably its biggest domino in the 2027 recruiting cycle when four-star offensive tackle Cole Reiter announced his verbal commitment to the Badgers.

“Home!🏠” Reiter wrote.

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive lineman from Germantown, (WI.) chose Wisconsin over a long list of Power Four offers, including Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Indiana, and Kansas. That’s the kind of offer sheet that typically tests just how strong those “stay home” roots really are.

In this case, they held.

Reiter becomes the fifth commit in the 2027 class, joining fellow in-state prospects Korz Loken (tight end), Isaac Miller (edge), Dustin Roach (safety), and Ethan McIntosh (offensive line). That’s not just a strong start to a class — it’s a statement. Or at least the early version of one.

Because for a staff that has, at times, struggled to lock down its own backyard, this is the type of win that carries weight beyond the recruiting rankings.

Reiter is viewed as a top-200 prospect nationally and a top-20 offensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite, checking in as the No. 3 player in the state of Wisconsin. He’s got the frame you can’t teach, and the kind of developmental upside programs covet at the position. On film, you can already see the tools in pass protection — length, feet, and the ability to mirror — while the next step will come with added strength and consistency in the run game, like most high school linemen making that jump.

What stands out just as much as the evaluation is how Wisconsin got here.

Former offensive line coach A.J. Blazek helped lay the groundwork early in Reiter’s recruitment. That was before Luke Fickell moved on from Blazek and brought in Eric Mateos, who now leads the offensive line room and has prior experience working with offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.

Somewhere in that transition, there was an opportunity for Reiter’s recruitment to drift. It didn’t. Credit to the Badgers staff for maintaining that relationship and keeping Reiter from consistently looking over his shoulder at some of college football’s biggest brands.

And that part matters.

Because this isn’t just about landing a blue-chip tackle. It’s about reestablishing trust — with high school programs, with in-state prospects, and with a fan base that’s watched too many of these battles go the other way.

There’s still work to be done. Wisconsin hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt in recruiting circles lately, especially when it comes to keeping elite in-state talent home. But this is what meaningful progress looks like. Not a finished product, not a flipped switch — just a sign that maybe, quietly, things are starting to trend back in the right direction.

And if that old saying is going to mean something again — if the best in Wisconsin are going to stay in Wisconsin — it starts with stacking wins like this.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

Some hires move the needle on Saturdays, while others quietly shape everything around them. This one falls into the second category, but don’t mistake that for it being insignificant.

Wisconsin football is bringing back one of its own.

The program announced that former Badgers fullback and team captain Bradie Ewing is returning to Madison as the Director of Football Alumni Relations. It’s a new role centered on reconnecting the present-day program with the players and traditions that helped build it.

@badgerfootball

Wisconsin Football on Instagram: "Welcome 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 to Madison, …

And if you’ve followed where this program has been, and where it’s trying to go, that job carries more weight than the title might suggest.

“Bradie is a perfect fit for our alumni relations role,” Luke Fickell said. “He understands what makes the University of Wisconsin and Badger football special. He will do an excellent job fostering relationships with our alumni and maintaining the traditions and values that define our program.”

Ewing’s path back to Wisconsin is about as on-brand as it gets.

The 2012 graduate started his career at the University of Wisconsin as a walk-on from Richland Center, earned a scholarship, became a starter, and eventually, a team captain. Ewing was part of back-to-back Big Ten championship teams in 2010 and 2011, appearing in 52 career games while totaling 328 rushing yards and two touchdowns from the fullback position.

That stat line doesn’t tell the full story, of course.

Ewing’s value came in doing the dirty work, leading through contact, setting the tone at the line of scrimmage, and helping power a pair of offenses in 2010—11, that featured Russell Wilson, Scott Tolzien, Montee Ball, James White, John Clay, Nick Toon, Lance Kendricks, and Gabe Carimi during one of the most productive stretches in program history.

He went on to be selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and spent three seasons in the league before a brief stint on Wisconsin’s strength staff in 2015.

Now, he’s back in a role that feels tailored to the moment.

“I’m honored to return to Wisconsin,” Ewing said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to connect with former players and alumni that helped lay the foundation of Badger football. The culture here is rooted in the pride of being a Badger, and I’m excited to strengthen those ties and keep our alumni connected to the program moving forward.”

It’s hard not to view this through the broader lens of where Wisconsin football stands right now.

Fickell is entering Year 4, still trying to stabilize a program that’s lost its footing over the past three seasons, sitting at 17–21 overall and 10–17 in Big Ten play. The Badgers have also missed back-to-back bowl games and have come up empty in rivalry matchups as of late.

And fair or not, much of the criticism tied to that stretch has centered around identity, what Wisconsin football is supposed to look like, and whether the program drifted too far from it.

For decades, that identity was clear. Physical. Run-first. Built at the line of scrimmage. Developed, not assembled. The shift away from that, both schematically and culturally, hasn’t sat well with a large portion of the fan base or former players who helped maintain the Badgers’ high standards.

Ewing represents a direct connection back to that era.

Not as a symbolic gesture, but as someone who understands the standard because he helped uphold it.

This hire doesn’t fix everything. It doesn’t change a depth chart or rewrite last season’s record. But it does signal something — an acknowledgment, at least, that reconnecting with the program’s roots still matters.

And right now, that might be exactly where the rebuild has to start, if it’s not already too late.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team has its first departure of the offseason.

Subscribe now

Wisconsin Badgers sophomore wing Jack Robison has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons in the program, becoming the first departure of the offseason as Greg Gard and his staff begin reshaping the roster.

"Thank you, Wisconsin!" Robison wrote.

@rollbadgers

Wisconsin Badgers on Instagram: "First portal entry for the Bad…

The 6-foot-6 wing out of Lakeville North (Minn.) appeared in 30 games during his time in Madison, but never carved out a role in the rotation and didn’t have a clear path to minutes next season.

As a true freshman, Robison saw limited action, appearing in 13 games and logging just 17 total minutes while adjusting to the college level. He averaged 0.5 points and 0.3 rebounds per game, working primarily in spot minutes as he got acclimated.

As a sophomore, Robison appeared in 17 games, playing 31 total minutes while averaging 1.0 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. Wisconsin used him a handful of times in non-conference play as part of some smaller lineups, but he still wasn’t able to work his way into the mix for consistent minutes.

And that’s the reality of where things are at right now.

It’s also worth noting the transfer portal window doesn’t officially open until April 7 and runs through April 21, but this is the time of year when intentions start to surface. Players and agents get out ahead of it, testing the waters and beginning to gauge what the market looks like before things fully open.

In a different era, maybe that development curve looks different. Maybe there’s more runway. More time to grow into a role. But in today’s transfer portal era, patience is thinner, and roster spots are more valuable than ever.

The leash is shorter.

Robison was a well-regarded three-star recruit coming out of high school, committing to Wisconsin over offers from Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Florida. He fit what the staff typically values — size on the wing, shooting ability, and a reputation as a high-character, team-first player.

Internally, he was viewed as exactly that. A culture piece. Someone who worked, showed up every day, and helped elevate the guys around him.

And there’s real value in that.

Given Robison’s size and ability to space the floor, there’s going to be a place for him somewhere. Players with that kind of length and shooting profile don’t grow on trees. But at this level — especially in the Big Ten — the margin for error athletically is thin. And ultimately, that’s where it became difficult for him to consistently impact games in a meaningful way.

That doesn’t diminish what he brought to the program.

He was an important part of the scout team. A reliable body in practice. Someone who helped prepare the rotation players day in and day out. Programs need guys like that, even if it doesn’t always show up on game day.

But this is the reality of modern roster construction.

Wisconsin is going to evaluate every spot. Look for ways to improve. And with the portal now a primary tool in building a roster, decisions like this are part of the process.

For Robison, it’s an opportunity.

A chance to find a better fit. A place where the path to playing time is clearer, and where his skill set can be maximized.

And for Wisconsin, it marks the beginning of what’s expected to be a busy offseason.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

The Wisconsin men’s basketball program closed the book on its 2025–26 season the same way it has far too often — abruptly, unexpectedly, and earlier than anyone inside the program believed it should.

Subscribe now

An 83–82 loss to High Point, a 12-seed, in the opening round didn’t just end a season. It reopened a conversation that never really goes away.

By this time next year, it will have been a full decade since Wisconsin last reached the Sweet 16. That’s not a throwaway stat anymore. That’s a pattern. And patterns, fairly or not, tend to define people in this sport.

Greg Gard knows that. He’s living it.

What makes this situation complicated — and honestly, what makes it worth talking about beyond surface-level frustration — is that Gard’s tenure isn’t defined by failure. It’s defined by everything except the one thing people care about most in March: the NCAA Tournament.

This was a 24–11 team that earned a 5-seed. A group that beat five top-15 opponents. A team that, on multiple nights, looked capable of playing with just about anyone in the country. Offensively, it was one of the most productive groups in program history, averaging 83 points per game for the first time in more than five decades and setting the standard for what basketball in Madison can look like in a modern era.

That part matters. Because for a long time, the question surrounding Wisconsin wasn’t whether it could win — it was whether it could evolve.

Gard answered that.

He’s reshaped the program in real time, not in theory, not in messaging, but in action. From the way the roster is built to how NIL resources are allocated, from leaning into international pipelines to restructuring staff roles and embracing the transfer portal, this isn’t a head coach who is clinging to tradition and hoping that’s enough. This is someone actively trying to position his basketball program for where the sport is going.

And it’s worked, at least in getting Wisconsin to the table.

But the NCAA Tournament doesn’t grade you on progress. It doesn’t reward infrastructure. It doesn’t care how you got there.

Read more

Subscribe now

Still, many of the incoming transfers lack experience, meaning those that have been battle-tested with Power Four snaps figure to be relied upon heavily. One of those players is Oklahoma State transfer cornerback Eric Fletcher Jr.

With 301 career defensive snaps to his name — 271 of those coming last season in Stillwater — Fletcher is the second-most experienced cornerback in this room for new position coach Robert Steeples.

That experience should position Fletcher higher in the pecking order as offseason practices begin. But after watching the film, there are some definite areas in which Fletcher needs to improve (as well as some promising traits) as he looks to re-vitalize his career in Madison.

Below, BadgersNotes.com dives into Fletcher’s All-22 film to evaluate a cornerback Wisconsin figures to rely upon heavily in 2026.

When Fletcher (#13) had safety help over the top, he appeared to play much more soundly and with more confidence. However, when he was on an island one-on-one, the 6-foot-1 cornerback tended to get picked on in coverage. Below, he’s isolated at the top of your screen:

Fletcher doesn’t get his head turned around and is flagged for pass interference. This is physical coverage, and his receiver certainly isn’t open. That said, if Fletcher’s going to be that handsy, he needs to also try to play the ball or at least look for it in the air; otherwise, this is an easy call for the officials every time.

Sometimes when Fletcher was one-on-one, he got lucky. Below, he’s lined up at the top of your screen:

Here, he’s immediately beaten off the line of scrimmage by the receiver’s inside release. The wideout runs a simple fly pattern and easily has two or three steps on Fletcher. Texas Tech’s quarterback puts this ball right in the breadbasket, but the receiver inexplicably drops it. Fletcher should’ve gotten burned for a 65-yard touchdown on this play.

Other times, he wasn’t so lucky:

Fletcher is stride-for-stride with the Red Raiders receiver here, but right at the catch point, the wideout gets away with a subtle push-off, creating just enough space to come down with the deep ball.

Now, should this have been called offensive pass interference? Probably. But that means Fletcher either has to sell it better or not get so easily discarded at the catch point, and reciprocate the hand-fighting. As the last two plays illustrate, Fletcher is too easily manipulated by penalties or the lack thereof.

Still, Fletcher wasn’t a complete liability in single coverage. He certainly had his moments, like the suffocating coverage below:

Read more

The Wisconsin men’s basketball team (24-11) saw its 2025–26 season come to an end in the NCAA Tournament, falling to 12th-seeded High Point 83–82 in the first round.

Subscribe now

And just like that, the focus shifts.

From game plans and matchups to roster construction. From what this team was to what the next version of Wisconsin needs to become. That’s the reality of the sport now. Seasons end, and the offseason begins almost immediately. Decisions have to be made. Priorities have to be set.

For Greg Gard and his coaching staff, that process starts the same way it always has — by evaluating the roster from top to bottom, especially with four seniors in Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde, Braeden Carrington, and walk-on Isaac Gard set to move on. That evaluation comes after a season where Wisconsin averaged 83 points per game — the highest mark of the Gard era and the program’s best in more than five decades — but also allowed 76.1 points per game, the most in the Bo Ryan–Gard era, underscoring the balance they’ll be looking to strike moving forward.

Who are the players you build around?

Who are the ones you prioritize retaining?

And where do you look to supplement through the portal?

That’s where this exercise comes in.

Breaking the roster into tiers isn’t about labeling players as expendable or untouchable. It’s about understanding value. Fit. Projection. And how each piece factors into both the short-term and long-term direction of the program. Because in this era, building a roster isn’t just about adding talent. It’s about knowing what you have — and what’s worth keeping.

Must retain

• John Blackwell

• Nolan Winter

Greg Gard has been pretty clear about how he wants to build a roster in this era. You start at the top and work your way down.

Not just in terms of talent, but in terms of identity. Who are the guys you trust? Who are the ones that embody what you want your program to look like? Who can you build around without having to rethink everything else?

For Wisconsin, that conversation starts with two names.

John Blackwell and Nolan Winter.

In a time where roster continuity in college basketball is more of a luxury than an expectation, both have done it the old-school way. They’ve stayed. They’ve developed. They’ve gotten better every year. And along the way, they’ve become tone-setters inside the locker room — the kind of players who don’t just fit the culture, but actively reinforce it.

Blackwell is coming off a season that puts him squarely in the national conversation. He averaged 19.1 points (career-best), 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc, earning Third-team All-Big Ten honors. Blackwell was one of the best guards in the conference. A player who has improved his game, particularly as a shooter, and still feels like there’s another layer there as a playmaker.

He’s going to have options. That’s just the reality of it. Power Four programs will try to make a push for Blackwell. He’ll likely go through the NBA Draft process and get feedback, as he should. But if there’s a path back to college for his final year, this is one where Wisconsin has to do just about everything in its power to make sure that return happens here.

Because players like Blackwell don’t just raise your ceiling, they stabilize your floor. You know exactly what you’re building around.

And for a lot of the same reasons, the same applies to Nolan Winter.

Winter is the definition of a program guy. A 7-footer who plays hard, rebounds, runs the floor, and fits seamlessly into what Wisconsin wants to do offensively. The Minnesota native averaged 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while recording 12 double-doubles on the season.

He’s efficient around the basket, capable of stretching the floor, and his production — especially on the glass — has been consistently impactful.

But beyond the numbers, it’s how he plays. The effort. The toughness. The way he competes. Those are traits that translate no matter what the roster looks like around him. And just like Blackwell, his skill set isn’t going unnoticed. Players with that combination of size, motor, and production are always in demand.

Which is why this tier is what it is.

These are the players you don’t replace. You retain.

Because if you can bring Blackwell and Winter back, everything else becomes a lot clearer. You’re not searching for an identity — you already have one. Now it’s about finding the right complementary pieces, allocating your portal resources wisely, and building around a foundation you already trust.

Strong retention priority

Read more

The University of Wisconsin football program opened spring practice Thursday inside the McClain Center, taking the first step toward a 2026 season that feels like it carries a little more weight than the last three.

Subscribe now

Luke Fickell enters a critical Year 4 at the helm after a 4–8 campaign and a second straight season without a bowl appearance.

This offseason, Wisconsin tapped into its newfound financial resources to retain key pieces while reshaping the roster to add improved depth through the transfer portal. There are a lot of new faces in the building, and internally, there’s a belief that this group has helped close some of the gap between where this program has been and where it needs to go.

“To me, regardless of what’s happened the last three years, it’s about starting anew,” Fickell said. “We’ve learned a lot from where we’ve been, but we’ve also learned where the gaps are that we’ve got to close.

“I’m most excited about whether we can bring this thing together. We’ve got a nucleus of leadership that has seen the struggles, and I think that’s going to shape who we are.”

That tone carried into Fickell’s first media availability of the spring, where he offered a few early insights as things get underway.

Read more

There’s a certain kind of silence that follows a game like that. Not the kind that comes from being outplayed. Not the kind where you tip your cap and move on. The kind that lingers because you know it didn’t have to end the way it did.

Greg Gard and the fifth-seeded Wisconsin men’s basketball team (24-11) saw their season come to a sudden and disappointing close Thursday afternoon, falling 83–82 to No. 12 seed High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament — another instance of the 12-over-5 upset that seems to find its way into this program’s history books more often than it should.

And just like that, it’s over.

A team that spent the latter part of the season reshaping its identity, playing some of its best basketball down the stretch, and entering March believing its ceiling was still out in front of it is now left with another early exit from the NCAA Tournament and a familiar set of questions.

“Congratulations to High Point,” Gard said. “They played a terrific game and hit some unbelievable shots. That’s the heartache that comes with this tournament — a team plays exceptionally well, and you get sent home when you don’t take care of the things you need to take care of.

“I’m extremely proud of my group for getting us to this point. They’ve grown immensely. The worst part is we don’t get to go to practice again together. This group has grown together. Today sucks. Today stinks.”

Here are three observations following Wisconsin’s loss to High Point.

1. It was the first time scoring 80+ wasn't enough

For most of this season, Wisconsin had a pretty clear formula for winning games. Score into the 80s, take care of the ball, trust your shot-making, and more often than not, you’re walking off the floor with a win.

They were 21–0 when they scored 80 or more points.

Until Thursday.

Wisconsin finished with 82 points. Shot 48% from the field and nearly 40% from three. On paper, that’s a winning profile. It had been all year.

But this one didn’t follow the script.

High Point didn’t just hang around. They matched every push Wisconsin made, possession for possession, and then flipped the game in a way that felt sudden but was really building for the entire second half.

Nine made threes after the break will do that.

And when you zoom out, that’s really where this thing turned. Wisconsin hit shots, but High Point hit more. The Badgers went 9-of-23 from deep. High Point knocked down 15. In a one-possession game, that gap is everything. And it wasn’t like they were just getting them up at a high volume and living with the results. High Point shot 15-of-40 from three, including 9-of-17 in the second half. That’s over 50% after the break.

When a team is shooting it like that — and doing it at that volume — it puts a ton of pressure on every possession defensively.

“We knew they were going to the offensive glass,” Gard admitted. “That’s evident in their numbers and on film. I thought we got better at keeping them off the glass in the second half.

“But the three-point shooting — they hit timely threes. It took that type of shooting, 15 threes, to counter what we were doing. It’s a credit to them. You can contest them, but they were able to knock them down.”

They got production from their stars, but not quite enough in the moments that mattered most.

Nick Boyd gave you a strong performance. 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field, five boards, six assists, one turnover. He controlled the game for long stretches and had Wisconsin in position late. In fact, his layup with just over a minute left put the Badgers up 82–78. At that point, it felt like the Badgers had High Point right where they wanted them.

John Blackwell looked like he was about to take the game over early. He had 20 points and six rebounds in the first half, but finished with 22 and 10 rebounds. But the five turnovers were costly — a tale of two halves for Blackwell, and in a game with margins this tight, they couldn’t afford that.

Austin Rapp chipped in 12 points, knocked down a pair of threes, and had four rebounds. The Badgers’ complementary pieces did their job.

Wisconsin, for the most part, was efficient enough across the board. 31-of-65 from the field, 11-of-12 at the free-throw line, and just 10 turnovers. Those are typically winning numbers. That’s a profile that had carried them all season. But when the other team is hitting threes at that clip, efficiency alone doesn’t separate you the way it usually does.

By every standard Wisconsin set this season, that should’ve been enough. It just wasn’t enough on this particular night.

2. High Point won the game on the margins — and with physicality

On paper, this looked like a matchup Wisconsin should control physically.

High Point didn’t start anyone taller than 6-foot-8. Nolan Winter was back in the mix, but came off the bench. The size advantage was there.

But it didn’t play out that way.

High Point out-rebounded Wisconsin 40–37. Pulled down double-digit offensive boards, many of them coming off long misses that turned into second-chance threes. They forced turnovers, disrupted passing lanes, protected the ball, and blocked shots. They were just sharper in the areas that decide games like this. They were the more physical team.

And when you pair that with the 3-point shooting, it created this constant feeling that High Point was never really out of it — like every possession mattered and you were just waiting to see if they’d swing it back their way. Even when Wisconsin had control late, it never quite felt secure.

Up four with just over a minute to play after Boyd’s layup. That’s a situation this team has closed out more often than not.

But from there, it flipped.

Boyd drove to his left again, looking to extend the lead, but couldn’t finish, and High Point pushed it the other way in transition. Chase Johnston — a guy who had made a living behind the arc all season — ends up wide open at the rim and converts what was, unbelievably, his first made two-point field goal of the year to take the lead with 11.7 seconds left.

That’s March.

It doesn’t always make sense. It doesn’t always follow the tendencies you’ve scouted. It just happens. From there, Wisconsin never really got a clean look to answer. A poor inbound pass, no real chance to even get something up.

Ballgame.

“We took the timeout to stop the clock,” Gard explained. “We had a play on the inbound, and the inbounder had a few options. One was to throw it deep to Nolan. Rapp was back there as well.

“We knew we had to advance the ball to try to get something more than a half-court heave. We wanted to get it into the front court if we could.”

To their credit, Winter gave them what he could. Eight points, four boards, two assists, two blocks in 21 minutes. Clearly not himself, but he competed hard and provided a spark.

Aleksas Bieliauskas finished with just two points, but did a lot of the dirty work. Seven rebounds, three offensive, plus a block — impacting the game in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. But collectively, it wasn’t enough to win the possession battle. And in a game like this, that’s the difference.

3. The Sweet 16 drought continues

At some point, it becomes part of the conversation whether you want it to or not. Wisconsin still hasn’t reached the Sweet 16 since 2017.

And in a one-and-done tournament where anything can happen, that alone wouldn’t mean much. But when you stack it up against the number of good teams, competitive seasons, and opportunities that this basketball program has had over that stretch, it becomes a fair criticism.

Because eventually, for Greg Gard, the breakthrough has to happen, and until it does, this is the conversation.

It took a performance like that from High Point. A team playing at the level it needed to pull the upset. And sometimes, that’s just how March works. But that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.

Not when you have one of the best backcourts in the country. Not when you’ve spent the last two months playing your best basketball. Not when you’ve built a team that, on paper, looked capable of making a deep run.

And yet, here we are again.

This wasn’t a team that limped into March. Wisconsin beat five top-15 teams and had found an identity offensively that gave it an incredibly high ceiling. With Boyd and Blackwell playing at the level they were, you could make a legitimate case they had one of the best backcourts in the country — and the kind of shot-making that travels in this tournament.

Coach Gard isn’t on any kind of hot seat, and he shouldn’t be. You don’t throw away an entire season — or an entire body of work — because of one game. That’s not how this works.

But at the same time, the reality is what it is.

Wisconsin has been a highly successful program by almost any measure. Still, it hasn’t had the postseason results you’d expect — and that cloud hanging over Gard and the Badgers isn’t going anywhere until it changes.

You can point to the details of this game. The defensive lapses. The clean looks allowed. The late scoring drought. The missed opportunities at the end, not even getting a shot off with 1.8 seconds left.

You can point to Blackwell’s dominant first half and quiet second. Boyd doing everything he could down the stretch. Moments where it felt like Wisconsin had control, only to let it slip away.

All of that matters.

But in the end, the only thing that really matters is the outcome.

Wisconsin didn’t win.

And when that happens in March, everything else — the growth, the late-season surge, the offensive identity this team built — tends to fade into the background a little more than it probably should.

That’s the part that stings.

Because this was a really good team. A fun team. A group that figured itself out and gave itself a chance. But until that second weekend breakthrough happens for Gard, the questions aren’t going anywhere.

“They’ll look back on how far they’ve come and what they’ve accomplished this year, and they’ll do that with a lot of pride in the bonds they’ve formed over the past six months,” Gard said, reflecting.

And that’s the part that will linger. Not just how it ended, but the feeling that there was still more out there for this group. And now, it’s another long offseason with that same question still waiting to be answered.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball program enters the NCAA Tournament at 24–10, earning a No. 5 seed in the West Region, and is set to begin its run against 12-seed High Point (30-4).

Subscribe now

The appearance also adds to the program’s remarkable run of consistency. Wisconsin is making its 29th trip to the Big Dance and is one of just five schools to appear in 25 of the last 27 NCAA Tournaments.

It marks the third straight trip and the eighth under head coach Greg Gard, whose teams have quietly remained among the most reliable postseason qualifiers in college basketball since he took over in 2016.

“One thing you’re always mindful of is not taking this day for granted,” Gard said. “I know it’s become commonplace here, but it’s not commonplace everywhere. This doesn’t happen easily, and it doesn’t happen by accident.

“There’s a lot of people, a lot of time, and a lot of effort that go into it, and a lot of people have their fingerprints on it. To be able to do this consistently over the past quarter-century is amazing. It’s a credit to all the players, coaches, and support staff who have had their hands in it. I just don’t want to take it for granted because it’s not easy to accomplish.”

With March Madness here, the questions naturally start rolling in.

How much should the regular season matter if a team exits early? Who might be Wisconsin’s X-factor if the Badgers make a run? And what ultimately has to happen for this group to reach the second weekend?

Let’s get into it.

Q: If Wisconsin were to lose early in the NCAA Tournament, would that erase what this team accomplished during the regular season?

-WhiskeySour608

Read more

The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team may be getting closer to full strength at the right time.

Subscribe now

After spending the last few weeks navigating the absence of two key rotational pieces, the 5th-seeded Badgers received one of their most encouraging updates yet from head coach Greg Gard after practice ahead of Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament opener against 12-seed High Point.

Nolan Winter (ankle) and Jack Janicki (wrist), both sidelined with injuries, took a big step forward Monday afternoon. The duo returned to practice after missing time during a stretch in which the Badgers went 6–2 without Janicki and 3–1 in games where both he and Winter were unavailable.

“Both of them were in full-go mode, other than contact stuff, major contact stuff. So it’s the most any of them have done,” Gard said.

“They both ran full court in some skeleton stuff we did, both were in the drills. It was a big jump today, and everyone felt pretty good coming out of it, so the plan is to take another step tomorrow.”

@badgermbb

Wisconsin Basketball on Instagram: "🔜"

In other words, Wisconsin may soon have its full rotation of preferred options available for the big dance. That possibility matters for a team built around a balanced rotation and an inside-out frontcourt presence, with Winter serving as one of the core pieces that anchors much of what the Badgers do.

Getting Janicki back would also provide another versatile option off the bench — a player whose defensive activity and ability to guard multiple spots have quietly added value throughout the season.

Winter, a 7-foot forward, has been one of the most reliable players on the roster this season. He enters the NCAA Tournament averaging 13.3 points, a team-leading 8.6 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 56.9% from the field. His production on the glass has been especially important. Winter has recorded 12 double-doubles this season, the second-most in the Big Ten conference, and has reached double-digit rebounds 14 times.

Durability had also become part of the Lakeville North product’s identity before the recent absence. Winter had started 68 straight games and appeared in 104 consecutive contests for Wisconsin before an ankle injury suffered against Maryland on March 4 brought that streak to an end.

“I’m feeling good,” Winter said on Butchie’s Den when discussing his recovery. “I was back in practice today, got some good reps in. Every day I’m getting a step closer, and today was a good day for me. I’m happy with where I’m at injury-wise and ready to get out there Thursday.

“I’m not really used to sitting out games. I’m usually playing through stuff, but now I’m ready to get back out there with them for sure. I’ve been itching for a while.”

Janicki’s situation has been a little different, but it still created a noticeable gap in the rotation as one of Wisconsin’s trusted reserves.

The 6-foot-5 guard suffered a wrist injury during Wisconsin’s Feb. 17 loss at Ohio State that required surgery. While his offensive production has been modest this season, Janicki carved out a steady role because of his defensive activity and versatility on the perimeter. Before the injury, he was averaging 2.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game while taking on tough assignments against opposing guards.

Wisconsin has managed to stay afloat without both players.

That stretch forced others on the team to take on larger roles, with starters logging heavier minutes and the Badgers occasionally experimenting with smaller lineups. Braeden Carrington has stepped up in the backcourt, while Aleksas Bieliauskas and Austin Rapp have handled increased minutes in the frontcourt. Freshmen Hayden Jones and Will Garlock have also seen expanded opportunities during the stretch run.

The result is a team that may actually be deeper than it was before.

That added workload could prove valuable if Winter and Janicki return to the rotation as Wisconsin prepares to face High Point in the first round Thursday in Portland. For a Badgers team that already believes its best basketball may still be ahead, getting two experienced contributors back into the mix could add another dimension to a group that has steadily gained confidence that it can go toe to toe with anyone down the stretch.

And if Gard’s injury update was any indication, Wisconsin might be getting closer to that version of itself just as the NCAA Tournament begins.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.

There’s a difference between a team being happy to hear its name called on Selection Sunday and one believing the version of itself the country is about to meet still hasn’t fully shown up on the court yet.

Subscribe now

Wisconsin men’s basketball sounds a lot more like the second one.

That’s what stood out most from the Badgers’ player reactions after learning they’d open the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed against 12th-seeded High Point in Portland. This was not a group that talked like it had already accomplished something by getting in. It sounded like a team that thinks the growth of the last two months was real, but still not complete.

That matters this time of year.

Teams that limp into March usually sound tired. Teams that know they’ve improved tend to sound sharper, more certain of themselves, and more comfortable in their own skin. In the case of John Blackwell and Braeden Carrington, they believe Wisconsin’s best basketball still lies ahead.

That confidence is not coming from nowhere.

The Badgers have spent the better part of two months changing the narrative around their season. Back in January, there were fair questions about whether this team would even make it into the field of 68. Now, after a late-season surge and a run to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, Wisconsin enters the NCAA Tournament looking a lot more like a team that’s built to stay a while than one just hoping not to get bounced early.

Carrington, who is averaging a career-high 8.4 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench while shooting a career-best 40.2% from beyond the arc despite playing just 18 minutes per game, made that point without trying to dress it up. The clearly defined role Carrington has carved out this season has allowed him to maximize his impact. It also has the Minnesota native preparing for the first NCAA Tournament appearance of his career — a moment he believes this team has been building toward all season.

“I don’t know if we proved anything to ourselves,” Carrington said of Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament run. “I think we knew what we had in this locker room the whole season. Obviously, it took a while to get where we want to be. But I think to the whole country, we proved we can make a run in this tournament.”

@badgermbb

Wisconsin Basketball on Instagram: "“You got to play your best …

That phrasing wasn’t accidental. There’s an important distinction there. Wisconsin doesn’t believe it suddenly discovered something about itself last week. It believes the rest of the country is only now catching up to what has been building inside that locker room for a while.

That internal belief is part of what makes this team interesting.

There’s an edge to this team, but it doesn’t feel manufactured. Teams can fake confidence, but it’s a little harder to fake edge when Nick Boyd is running the point. Carrington took it a step further when he looked ahead to what Wisconsin could become if it gets healthier in the coming days.

“We have some of the best guards in the country, probably the best backcourt in the country,” Carrington explained. “That can take us a long way. And then once we get our team fully healthy, I think we’re a team that nobody wants to play.”

That line right there is probably the headline thought for Wisconsin entering the big dance.

Wisconsin isn’t satisfied just to be dancing. And it doesn’t view itself as dangerous because of favorable seeding, matchups, or the usual March Madness conjecture. The Badgers players believe they’re dangerous because the version of themselves that has started to show up over the last several weeks still has another gear if Nolan Winter returns to the starting lineup and Jack Janicki can give them something off the bench.

Blackwell echoed that same general idea, just from a slightly different angle. The junior guard, who is averaging 19.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.4% from three this season, believes Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament run was a step in the right direction.

“Great step in the right direction, I think mentally and defensively,” Blackwell said when discussing Wisconsin’s performance in Chicago. “I’ve been better since stepping it up a little bit more. Then I think as a team, we’re just more connected right now and just flowing at the right pace right now. Then when we get Nolan back, and hopefully Janicki back, we’ll be better.”

That quote says a lot.

More connected. Flowing at the right pace. The sum of the parts being better when they’re whole. That’s not the language of a team that thinks it’s firing on all cylinders. It’s the language of a team that believes the foundation is finally sturdy enough for the best version of itself to show up under the brightest lights. And for Wisconsin, that’s a good place to be heading into a tournament where guard play, connectivity, and experience often play a pretty significant role in whether or not teams advance.

This does not mean High Point should be taken lightly. The Panthers enter the tournament at 30-4 and are riding the nation’s longest active winning streak at 14 games, something Blackwell was quick to point out.

“I think they’re a great team, obviously, because they made the tournament,” Blackwell said. “So just being extra super locked in and focused, paying attention to scout as we scout this week and just coming out firing.”

That’s the balancing act every team has to strike in March. Respect the opponent. Don’t fear the moment. Wisconsin’s players sound like they understand both assignments, and that’s a credit to the way Greg Gard and his staff have built and prepared this roster for this exact stage.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway here.

The Badgers are not walking into the NCAA Tournament talking like a team that got hot at the right time and hopes the ride continues. They’re talking like a team that believes the hard part was becoming this version of itself in the first place. Now that Wisconsin has become that — or believes it will be once fully healthy — the opportunity in front of it feels a lot bigger than simply surviving the first round.

Wisconsin has already spent months proving it belongs. Now the focus shifts to how far this group can go, with the program chasing its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2017. This is the Badgers’ third straight NCAA Tournament trip and the eighth under Gard, whose teams have reached the big dance as consistently as almost anyone in the country during his tenure. Now the stage is set for the silent assassin to see just how far he can take them.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become a leading independent source for Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

You can also follow Site Publisher Dillon Graff at @DillonGraff on X.