My name is Dillon Graff, and I’m an overly invested fanatic of the Wisconsin men’s basketball program. Rather than attend a local meeting and earn sobriety chips, I’ve decided to lean into my addiction and give my poor wife a break from listening to my Badgers hoops takes — by continuing my ramblings here — for anyone who cares to read them.
The overwhelming support I received from the community after volume 1 was beyond humbling — and because of you — I’m happy to make this a regular thing as long as you still find value or entertainment from reading the words I type.
Before I lose you — if you’re even still reading — let’s dive into volume two — where I share a few opinions that won’t flow together, but I feel strongly about enough to share with the other UW hoops sickos.
Let’s begin.
Experience Will Be Key for the Badgers This Season.
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program are coming off a disappointing 20-15 season where the Badgers finished 11th in the conference and failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last 25 years.
However, Coach Gard brings back a talented roster with good chemistry to go along with returning 92% of its scoring (top’s in the B1G) and 90% of its minutes from last season.
Despite last season not going as planned, this group is battle tested and has plenty of room for internal growth from returning players.
With the offseason addition of AJ Storr and the incoming 2023 recruits, Wisconsin basketball should have more capable/improved players in their rotation, (hopefully) leading to less late-game fatigue.
The lack of playable depth paired with UW riding their starters as much as they did is the No. 1 thing that kept the Badgers team from making the tourney last season.
I believe Wisconsin basketball primed to compete for a double-bye in the Big Ten this season — primarily because of their returning experience. More of a high-floor group — but an NCAA Tournament team nonetheless.
Max Klesmit Could Thrive as the 6th Man for Wisconsin Basketball.
Every good Wisconsin basketball team needs a guy willing to check his ego at the door and do what’s best for the program to win games.
After watching Max Klesmit play for the Badgers last season — it’s safe to say he’s that guy for Greg Gard.
Klesmit appeared and started in 33 games, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in 32.1 minutes per game — while shooting an impressive 38.3% from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-3 Wisconsin native proved to be a fiery competitor on both ends of the floor. Despite being somewhat undersized, Klesmit was a thorn in the side of opposing backcourts on defense.
His attention to the small details makes his on-court impact so substantial. He stays in front of his man, is rarely out of position, dives on the floor for loose balls, and follows coach Gard’s defensive rules to a T.
I wholeheartedly believe that Klesmit could shoulder a more significant scoring load if that’s what the Wisconsin basketball team needed. He’s an excellent spot-up shooter, moves well off the ball, and can attack closeouts and get to the basket better than you’d think.
But that isn’t what Coach Gard will need from Klesmit this season, IMO.
Wisconsin will likely start Hepburn, Essegian, Storr, Wahl, and Crowl, making Klesmit the perfect fit for the Badgers sixth man role. He’ll still play starter-like minutes, provide energy, and offer some scoring punch in a potentially higher usage role off the bench than Klesmit had as a starter.
If that’s the case, Wisconsin basketball will be in a pretty damn good spot with their backcourt/wing rotations. Klesmit could also see time as the backup point guard — more so than last season. I love the fit.
I Need Clarification on What Wisconsin Basketball Has in Junior Forward Markus Ilver.
Entering his junior season with the Wisconsin basketball program, junior forward Markus Ilver remains just as much of a mystery for the Badgers as the day he set foot on campus.
He appeared in 18 games last season, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds on 29.7% shooting from the field in just over 6 minutes per game. Ilver also had an 18.2 USG rating — which is far too high for a player of his caliber coming off the bench. But nobody likes to see themselves shoot the ball more than he does.
The downside is that even in a season where UW desperately needed help in the frontcourt, Ilver was never seriously considered for those minutes. Despite flashes where he scored a career-high six points in a win over Dayton in the Battle 4 Atlantis, a breakthrough wasn’t in the cards.
In all likelihood, his lack of strength (Ilver got crushed on the boards in extended minutes) and unpolished nature on defense last season was the difference. But it’s do-or-die time for the Estonia native because the incoming freshman could conceivably jump him on the depth chart sooner rather than later.
Ilver entered the program with a high ceiling — but the hourglass is starting to run out of sand — and I’m hoping he’ll show signs of being a rotation-level player in 2023-24. There is still some stretch-four upside here with Ilver; I’m just not holding my breath.
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.
(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.)
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.
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
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
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 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.
We've got a B1G-time schedule 👀📅🏀
The 2023-24 Big Ten schedule is set! Conference play tips off December 5.
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!
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.
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.
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