As a lifelong, die-hard fan of the Wisconsin men’s basketball program, I often find myself consumed with thoughts about the Badgers hoops team and having no one willing to listen to them or nowhere to dispose of them.
So, I did what any delusional male would do and created a forum (for myself) to get these musings off my chest, and if anyone chooses to participate in some positive discourse afterward — even better.
Before I lose you (if you’ve even bothered to read to this point), let’s dive into volume one — 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.
Gus Yalden will play immediately and make a major impact as a true freshman.
Let me start by saying I get it. The backup five was Carter Gilmore last season, and that’s not good enough if the Badgers are going to be a serious contender in the Big Ten.
But it’s not that big of a deal, and I’ll tell you why. Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl are back, leaving minimal opportunity to sell a player in the portal. Because of that, finding a Chris Vogt-level replacement option wasn’t likely to present itself (but UW looked anyway).
The biggest reason I’m not worried is incoming four-star center Gus Yalden. He’s already a polished player on the court and has worked his ass off to get into better shape.
At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, Yalden brings an advanced skillset and fiery competitive spirit, joining a program known for its gritty style of play and development of inside-out big men. His fit systematically should be seamless — and he’s more than capable of slotting into 10 minutes a night as the Badgers seventh man.
The Appleton native plays below the rim but offers a blend of physicality, touch, and vision as a passer, plus Yalden can give you buckets on the low block. Wisconsin basketball didn’t feel pressured to add a veteran center because the program had two players in the 2023 recruiting cycle, offering an immediate upgrade over last season’s options.
I firmly believe the GusBus will be a rock-solid option off the bench this season and use the experience he gains this year as a springboard into the starting lineup the following season.
AJ Storr Will Be the Difference for Wisconsin Basketball in 2023-24
Greg Gard made a major addition in the transfer portal this offseason for Wisconsin basketball that I don’t feel is getting the attention it deserves.
AJ Storr joined the Badgers after a standout season with St. Johns. The Rockford, Illinois native made the Big East All-Freshman team after averaging 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists on an impressive 40.4% shooting from beyond the arc in just over 21 minutes per game for the Red Storm.
This team will be much better, and Storr is a big reason why. He provides them with an elite-level athlete that can play above the rim, get out and run, plus shoot the lights out beyond the arc.
AJ Storr has the highest ceiling of any player in the Wisconsin basketball program and has three seasons of eligibility remaining. I’m fucking stoked.
Wisconsin Basketball Recruiting Efforts—HS and Transfer Portal Have Improved
Admittedly, I have less issue with Greg Gard’s recruiting efforts for the Wisconsin basketball program than most. There’s a lot more that goes into recruiting than just rankings. You must account for fit, playing style, personality types, and more than anything — they have to want to play for you too.
However, there is plenty of room to grow here — my long-time readers know I don’t think Gard has cast a wide enough net and has been too patient waiting on his plan A recruits — only to be left scrambling at times.
Since then, he’s landed AJ Storr in the transfer portal, as previously mentioned — which can’t be understated. His skill set fits what the team needed last season 10x more than anything a backup big man would have provided Wisconsin basketball.
There is still plenty of time left, but UW is also in a good spot for five-star shooting guard Kon Knueppel and four-star power forward Jackson McAndrew. If Wisconsin lands even one of them, this would instantly become one of the best recruiting classes in school history. If he lands both…well, let’s just wait and see what happens, but I think you get my point.
He needed to improve recruiting efforts and provide the Wisconsin basketball program with an influx of talent — and you’d be hard-pressed to find me someone upset about this offseason without getting nit-picky.
Mar 28, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on during the first half against the North Texas Mean Green at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
There is a great deal of excitement surrounding the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program heading into the 2023-24 season. From the amount of returning talent — to the incoming freshman — and even a promising transfer portal addition, fans can’t wait to see the Badgers right the ship.
Not only is the hype warranted, but I also believe that Greg Gard and the Badgers have the chemistry and talent to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Here are three reasons why.
Wisconsin Basketball Returns All of its Meaningful Contributors
However, the Wisconsin Badgers have a remarkable 92% of their scoring and 90% of the total minutes played from last season coming back — which is the most in the conference.
The lone departure this offseason was Jordan Davis — which was no surprise because of his diminished role late in the year. That said, Tyler Wahl decided to use his Covid year — plus players like Chucky Hepburn, Connor Essegian, Max Klesmit, and Steven Crowl could all take steps forward.
Wisconsin Basketball has all the right pieces to play their system effectively, and bringing back a hungry & talented roster is a big reason why I’m optimistic heading into the season.
Wisconsin Basketball Has Improved Front-court Depth
As previously mentioned, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl are back in the fold and will be Wisconsin’s starting bigs. But it was the depth, or lack thereof, behind them last year that killed the Badgers.
For all the heat Carter Gilmore takes, he filled in admirably as the backup big man. The 6-foot-7 former walk-on plays terrific post defense, acts as a connector on offense, and hustles until the whistle blows. However, he was an offensive liability, essentially leaving Wisconsin basketball to play 4-on-5 on that end of the floor.
The Badgers also return players like Chris Hodges and Markus Ilver, but neither project to factor into Greg Gard’s rotation this season.
Regardless of how playing time shakes out in the frontcourt, Wisconsin basketball returns everyone from last season while welcoming a few talented freshmen into the mix. No matter how you look at it — depth is better now than a year ago.
The Badgers Made a Noteworthy Transfer Portal Addition
Adding AJ Storr in the transfer portal to the Wisconsin Badgers basketball roster could be a game-changer for Greg Gard and company.
Storr’s arrival addresses several key deficiencies that became apparent when Johnny Davis left the team after his sophomore year to enter the NBA Draft. This departure threw off the team’s development arc, leaving them with several glaring holes that needed to be filled.
One of the issues was the need for a player with a combination of height and length on the wing. Storr’s wingspan and defensive potential provide the Badgers with a versatile option who can switch & defend more traditional small forwards.
Another aspect of the team’s game that took a hit was their transition offense. Storr gives Wisconsin basketball a catalyst for fast breaks and quick scoring opportunities. He also provides a significant boost in athleticism, shooting, and slashing shot creation that the team was sorely missing.
Mar 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; A Wisconsin Badgers cheerleader takes the "W" flag across the court before the game with the Purdue Boilermakers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin Badgers basketball coaching staff are in deep with multiple 2025 in-state recruits. One player in particular that the Badgers coaches feel is a perfect fit for their system is Middleton big man Will Garlock — who plays just 12 miles away from The Kohl Center.
UW offered the 6-foot-11 center in July, joining an offer list that now includes Marquette, Penn State, and Virginia Tech. Iowa, Purdue, and Virginia have also been in contact.
But last night, it was announced on social media that Garlock, formerly of the Wisconsin Playground Club, would join Team Herro of the Nike EYBL.
The decision to join Team Herro may appear inconsequential at first glance, but it significantly streamlines the recruiting process for the Wisconsin basketball coaching staff.
Wisconsin Basketball Coaching Staff Will Be Courtside for Plenty of Team Herro’s Games Next Summer
It’s still early in the recruiting cycle, but the Wisconsin Badgers Basketball coaches are heavily pursuing 2025 in-state talent. As it stands, Greg Gard has offered scholarships to 10 players — with six of those going out to prospects from Americas Dairyland.
Having all three in-state recruits, each of whom is very much in play for Wisconsin basketball, housed within the same program presents a unique opportunity. It allows a committed Badgers prospect to communicate with them directly and offers the chance to be present court-side, streamlining recruiting efforts and evaluations.
Julie Pospisilova (5), Halle Douglass (10) and Maty Wilke (11) are among the Wisconsin players celebrating a basket during the team's victory over Bradley Wednesday Nov. 16, 2022 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Uwwomen Bradley 2 Nov 16 2022
We are just over a month away from the 50th season of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball! According to UW’s release about the new schedule, “the Badgers will highlight the program’s rich history and traditions” throughout the season. This is a cool opportunity for fans, both new and old, to learn about the program and the players that paved the way for this year’s team.
UW opens their 2023-2024 campaign with an exhibition game against UW-Whitewater on Oct. 29 at the Kohl Center. With the Big Ten announcing the conference schedule on Thursday, we now have a full slate of games to analyze. So, let’s get to it.
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for!
Our schedule is 𝗦𝗘𝗧.
We open up Big Ten play at home on Dec. 10 against Iowa!
Friday, Nov. 24, Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off vs. Arkansas
Saturday, Nov. 25, Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off vs. Marquette/Boston College
Sunday, Dec. 10, Big Ten opener vs. Iowa
Sunday, March 3, final game of regular season vs. Michigan State
Wednesday, March 6, Big Ten Tournament starts in Minneapolis
Sunday, March 10, Big Ten Tournament final in Minneapolis
Wisconsin has 29 games on their schedule, including 18 Big Ten games, and will be looking to improve upon last season’s 11-20 (6-12 Big Ten) record that saw them win four of their last five regular season games, including an upset of No. 12 Michigan, and earn a bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Badgers have 15 games at the Kohl Center and 14 games away from home, which includes two down in Fort Myers at Thanksgiving. Wisconsin’s non-conference schedule is a bit more forgiving than last year’s slate, but there are still many challenges for a young, inexperienced team.
Based on last year’s Her Hoops Stats rankings, Wisconsin women’s basketball should be favored to win their first two games of the season, before a tough home test against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. SDSU, who finished last season as the 14th best team in the nation per HHS, lost two starters from last year’s offensive juggernaut, but they will still pose a challenge to a leaky Wisconsin defense.
After playing Kansas State at Miller Park (I’ll NEVER call it AmFam Field) last season, the Badgers make the return trip to the Little Apple and play the Wildcats before heading off to sunny Florida for the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Arkansas and, most likely, Boston College await UW in the holiday tournament, but a potential matchup with in-state Marquette would be very fun.
UW rounds out their non-conference slate with various directional Illinois’ and a trip to St. Paul to play St. Thomas in a game I hope to attend. Wedged into the end of the non-conference schedule is the Big Ten opener against…ah shit, against national runner-up Iowa and Caitlin Clark. Not to sound glib, but keeping that one within 30 should actually count as a win for Wisconsin.
The Badgers play the Hawkeyes, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Rutgers twice this season. As far as single plays, they travel to Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, and Maryland while getting Nebraska, Penn State, Indiana, and Michigan State at home.
All things considered, this is a pretty favorable schedule for Wisconsin women’s basketball. Of their home-and-home series’ the only one in which they’ll be heavy underdogs for both games is against Iowa. Their “road only” games all look like losses to me and, in an ideal world, they’ll split their “home only” games.
Per UW, single-game tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. (CT). The pre-sale for single-game tickets for donors and season ticket holders is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10. Student tickets are available through Area Red.
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