Development of returning talent powering strong start for Wisconsin basketball
The No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers basketball team has gotten off to a 14-3 start thanks to the development of its returning players during the offseason.
The No. 24 Wisconsin basketball team has built its 14-3 overall record and a 4-2 mark in Big Ten play on the back of a well-balanced roster that blends transfer talent with strong contributions from returning players.
While offseason transfer portal additions like John Tonje, Xavier Amos, and Camren Hunter initially drew a lot of attention, much of the Badgers’ success has been fueled by the internal development of players who have stayed and embraced the program’s direction under Greg Gard.
This season, 2,661 of Wisconsin’s 3,400 total minutes played (78.2%) have come from players who were already on the roster last year.
Tonje’s arrival has helped fill the void left by AJ Storr, who transferred to Kansas, providing Wisconsin with a reliable wing scorer. The grad transfer averages a team-high 18.2 points per game while adding 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. However, much of the roster’s offensive cohesion stems from returning players taking meaningful steps forward this offseason.
“I think everybody that’s returned has made significant jumps,” Gard told reporters. “[John] Blackwell and [Nolan] Winter get a lot of the headlines, but even a guy that’s been here five years, like [Carter] Gilmore, has made a jump in his game. His confidence is really, really strong.”
Many fans viewed Gilmore as a one-dimensional defensive specialist with glaring offensive limitations. But as it turns out, he’s saved his best for last. The Hartland (Wis.) native is contributing 2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and an assist per game, all while shooting 47.1% from the field and a career-best 38.1% from three-point range.
Gilmore’s improved offensive game has helped keep defenders honest, allowing coach Gard to stagger Nolan Winter and Steven Crowl’s minutes more effectively. This approach has kept both players fresh while adding more lineup flexibility to mix and match on defense. Additionally, Gilmore’s 1.0 PRPG (points above replacement per game) marks a career-high.
Beyond Gilmore, Gard also credited players like senior point guard Kamari McGee, walk-on guard Jack Janicki, and stretch forward Markus Ilver for their growth, noting that their hard work has paid dividends on the court.
“That’s a credit to those guys for putting the work in, putting the time in, and our staff for the job they’re doing with them,” Gard added.
McGee, in particular, has been a revelation for coach Gard as the sixth man off the bench this season.
The 6-foot guard from Racine is putting up 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field, 55.6% from beyond the arc, and 82.4% at the free-throw line in 22 minutes per game. McGee's 32-to-10 assist-to-turnover ratio stands out, along with a career-best 2.9 PRPG, according to Bartorvik, a massive jump from his 0.5 last season.
The Badgers’ returning core has embraced the team’s developmental culture and helped integrate the newcomers—of which there were many—into an offensive system that prioritizes unselfish play and defense.
That synergy has allowed Wisconsin men's basketball to remain competitive in a tough Big Ten conference while showcasing an even more efficient offensive approach and improved depth.
If Wisconsin is going to keep pace in the ever-evolving NIL landscape without the resources of college basketball’s elite programs, they’ll need to strike the right balance between supplementing the roster with key pieces from the transfer portal and focusing on developing and retaining their own talent. This season has shown that those who stick with the program and put in the work will eventually become core contributors.
As the Badgers navigate the grind of conference play, the combination of new additions and returning players stepping into elevated roles has given the team the balance it needs to contend. If this mix continues to deliver, Wisconsin’s blend of internal growth and experience could position the program for even greater success as the season progresses.
The Badgers (14-3, 4-2 Big Ten) return to the court on Jan. 18 for a road matchup against USC (11-6, 3-3). Wisconsin enters the game as 2.5-point favorites, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. CT on BTN.
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