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?

I wish you good luck on your decision

— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) September 22, 2023

Would’ve loved to have seen you go to Madison. Good luck!

— Derek Fer Real (@DerekFerReal) September 21, 2023

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.

puke

— Glowing Ice Beer Cold (@HaakonMusic) September 21, 2023

Anyone who actually ever seriously thought this kid was going to go to Wisconsin needs their head examined. https://t.co/Ts7BsB0QtB

— Kyle Birling (@KJBD11) September 21, 2023

(I was going to say he is dead to me, but that just seems sort of melodramatic. That said, I hope they lose every game and he misses every shot. If they ever play Wisconsin, I hope he get booed.)

— Badgermaniac (@THEbadgermaniac) September 22, 2023

I want to say a lot of mean things but have to remember he’s just a kid #somethings https://t.co/64HtcyHuGD

— KG (@kgallstar23) September 21, 2023

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.

Fire Gard https://t.co/4bfcvpNt2E

— Ron’s Cards (@ronaldwalkeriii) September 21, 2023

Gard missed on the best player in the state? Stunning. That’s never happened before.

— In Development 🕶️ (@j__1252) September 21, 2023

Never forget that Greg Gard HAD TYLER HERRO COMMITTED…and basically told him to go elsewhere.

He’s not cut out for this.

— In Development 🕶️ (@j__1252) September 22, 2023

Greg Gard sucks so much 😂😂 https://t.co/7uR47TRMEK

— nave (@NaveSirom) September 21, 2023

What does GG do well?

— Cardio Pharm (@JoeRinka) September 22, 2023

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.

I’ll obviously still root for Kon to find all the success in the world

But having the chance to be an all time legend and fan favorite at Wisconsin vs just another great one at Duke feels like a missed opportunity

NBA guy either way and probably a higher scorer at Wisconsin

— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) September 21, 2023

All time worst Badger 🏀 losses to Duke

1. 2015 Championship game
2. Kon Knueppel (2023)
3. 2014 at home

— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) September 21, 2023

Congrats to Kon. Great player. Great kid.

My sons’ @DePereHoops teams have played against him the last two years and will do so again this year at home on Jan. 13. If you’re in the area, come check it out. https://t.co/xcjVpHLliu

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 21, 2023

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

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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.

We've got a B1G-time schedule 👀📅🏀

The 2023-24 Big Ten schedule is set! Conference play tips off December 5.

INFO | 📰 https://t.co/sWF4moADcA pic.twitter.com/uNt0KmjaTK

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) September 19, 2023

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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In college basketball recruiting, the latest rankings update can bring about waves of excitement and anticipation. The recent 247Sports 2024 recruiting class rankings update for Wisconsin basketball fans will likely elicit mixed emotions, as one of the Badgers commits saw their stock rise significantly — while another unexpectedly saw their stock dip.

Wisconsin, known for its rich basketball tradition, has always been an exceptional recruit and develop program, where players that need more seasoning make their mark at the collegiate level later in their careers.

The latest rankings update reaffirms that Greg Gard has done an exceptional job of identifying system fits early in the process and closing on his top-of-the-board recruiting targets.

Where Wisconsin Basketball Commits Landed in the Latest Recruiting Update.

As it stands, Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have the No. 19 rated class in the composite rankings and the No. 5 class in the Big Ten, with two Top 150 prospects.

In a surprising development, three-star wing Jack Robison from Lakeville North, Minnesota, jumped all the way from No. 178 to No. 101 and is now the highest-rated Wisconsin Badgers basketball recruit in the 2024 cycle.

On the flip side, prize point guard recruit Daniel Freitag, the highest-rated recruiting win of the Greg Gard era when he committed, dropped from No. 98 to No. 124.

Final Thoughts 

While these rankings updates are certainly cause for celebration, it’s essential to remember that they represent just one chapter in the journey of these young athletes. Regardless of the rankings drop, I refuse to believe there are 123 better players in this class than Daniel Freitag. 

The rising ranking of Wisconsin basketball commit Jack Robison serves as a motivating force for both him and the coaching staff. The rankings validate the hard work put in by all parties when Robison was unranked, and now the national pundits are catching a glimpse of the potential that can be unlocked in the years to come.

While rankings are a valuable measure of potential, the true impact of these commits will be felt in the games they play and the moments they create on the hardwood. Wisconsin basketball fans can look forward to an exciting era of Wisconsin Badgers basketball fueled by intriguing talents ready to leave their mark on the program.

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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