A pair of under-the-radar transfers and the loss of a young superstar to the NBA Draft is holding back the Wisconsin basketball program more than you may think.
Remember the names Ben Carlson and Lorne Bowman? The athletic forward and crafty point guard announced their transfer decisions to the University of Utah and Oakland University in April of 2022.
Carlson, who had shown promise as a freshman, before missing extended time due to injuries, couldn’t regain a significant role in 2022 and decided to transfer to the Utes. This season he is averaging 4.3 points per game in 18.7 minutes per game.
Bowman, who had become a solid bench scorer and ball handler during his freshman season, missed significant time due to family issues in 2022 and ultimately decided to transfer closer to home at Oakland. The 6-foot-1 guard has appeared in 10 games in 2023, averaging 3.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
And then you have Johnny Davis, 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All-American for the Wisconsin basketball team. Davis averaged 19.7 points per game last season, and while we all expected him to lead the Badgers, no one could have expected his draft stock to rise like it did.
Despite being drafted 10th overall to the Washington Wizards, Davis has struggled to stay up with the team and has instead spent his time in the G League. Looking back, you have to wonder if he wishes he would have stayed at Wisconsin for another season.
What Could Have Been For Wisconsin Basketball
Despite the lack of production for all three at their new homes in 2023, it’s hard not to think about what the program could have looked like with this additional depth.
Bowman could have filled the vacancy at backup point guard behind Chucky Hepburn. His ball-handling skills and ability to create off the dribble is something UW desperately misses now. To make matters worse, UWGB transfer Kamari McGee and former walk-on Isaac Lindsey have not filled the void here from an offensive or defensive standpoint.
Carlson being gone has also affected the program big time. The 6-foot-9 forward would have been huge defensively and offensively throughout Tyler Wahl’s injury absence. Without him, the Wisconsin basketball team has had to lean on the inexperienced Markus Ilver, a streaky shooter and defender, along with the offensively challenged Carter Gilmore.
And what else can you say about the loss of Johnny Davis? He was the heart and soul of the team in 2022, making his presence known as a scorer and defender. With him on the 2023 squad, he could have been a game-changer. The 6-foot-4 guard would have taken the scoring pressure off of Hepburn, Wahl, and Crowl — allowing Jordan Davis, transfer Max Klesmit, and guard Connor Essegian to play lesser roles off the bench.
Despite Struggles, 2023 Recruits A Silver Lining
Although at times the 2023 team has been fun to watch with the development of Crowl in the post and the playmaking of Essegian, ultimately the team is missing one too many pieces to be a threat in the Big Ten into March. But let’s not put this on Greg Gard, Badger fans. The 2022 Big Ten coach of the year did what he could this past offseason with the late departures of Davis, Bowman, and Carlson.
Looking for a reason to be optimistic about the program? Look no further than the strong 2023 recruiting class of John Blackwell, Gus Yalden, and Nolan Winter — all three and four-star recruits.
Yes, it’s been a tough stretch Badger fans, but let’s lay off coach Gard and the current roster and try to be positive the rest of the way as we watch the young team grow.
Oct 12, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, US; Wisconsin Badgers men's head coach Greg Gard speaks to the media during the Big Ten Basketball Media Days at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Madison, Wis. — Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have been active in the early stages of the offseason, reaching out to numerous transfer options, particularly in the frontcourt.
Wisconsin had a severe lack of depth among post options in 2022-23 following the departures of Chris Vogt (graduation) and Ben Carlson + Matthew Mors (transfers).
Unable to land a viable option in the portal last offseason, the Badgers were forced to make do with former walk-on Carter Gilmore as its top forward off the bench and unproven options like Markus Ilver and Chris Hodges to fill in whenever necessary.
Senior forward Tyler Wahl has yet to decide if he’ll exercise his COVID year and return for a fifth season in Madison (I think he will), which could leave the cupboards awfully thin if he chooses to pursue a pro career.
With the roster lacking any proven options behind him, there is a significant need to bring in at least one experienced frontcourt option that can immediately slot into minutes for the Wisconsin basketball program.
Here is an early list of some notable players Wisconsin has contacted this offseason.
Payton Sparks (6-foot-9 forward; Ball State)
National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Dushawn London from 247Sports, reported that Wisconsin was one of the teams that inquired about Ball State center Payton Sparks, who recently entered the transfer portal.
Notre Dame, Arkansas, Florida, Butler, Ohio State, and others are involved.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound center was an All-Mid-American Conference Second Team member this past season, averaging 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 58% shooting from the field.
Sparks started all 31 games he appeared in for the Cardinals this past season and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
John Hugley (6-foot-9 forward; Pittsburgh)
Perhaps the most notable frontcourt target of the Wisconsin basketball program, Pittsburgh transfer forward John Hugley, who Joe Tipton of On3Sports reported the Badgers expressed interest in.
UW, Michigan, Oregon, Miami, Rutgers, Xavier, Arkansas, LSU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Maryland, Nebraska, Butler, Georgia, and several others are also involved.
The 6-foot-9, 265-pound forward played eight games this past season before deciding to sit out the remainder of the season to focus on his mental health.
In 2021-22 however, he led the Panthers in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game and 7.9 rebounds on 47.1% shooting en route to All-ACC honorable mention honors.
Hugley has up to three years of eligibility remaining.
Dame Adelekun (6-foot-8 forward; Dartmouth)
The first frontcourt player Wisconsin basketball reached out to was Dartmouth forward Dame Adelekun, according to a report from Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.
Arkansas, Ohio State, Wichita State, Boise State, Clemson, Arkansas, Seton Hall, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, Loyola Chicago, and several others are also in the mix.
The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals on 56.3% shooting from the field this past season.
Adelekun has up to two years of eligibility remaining.
Ball State men's basketball sophomore center Payton Sparks smirks after turning over the ball during a game against Indiana University South Bend at Worthen Arena Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Ball State won 86-72
Madison, Wis. — Greg Gard and the Wisconsin men’s basketball coaching staff have recently checked in on a MAC big man that entered the transfer portal.
Earlier this week, National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Dushawn London from 247Sports, reported that Wisconsin was one of the teams that inquired about Ball State center Payton Sparks.
“It has always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level of college basketball,” Sparks said in the Twitter post. “With that being said, I feel like it’s in my best interest to chase my dream and enter the transfer portal. There will always be a place in my heart that is Ball State!”
Along with UW, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Utah, Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Dayton, Arkansas, Iowa State, Loyola Chicago, Florida, Butler, LSU, Georgetown, Ohio State, and several other schools expressed interest in Sparks.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound center was an All-Mid-American Conference Second Team member this past season, averaging 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 58% shooting from the field.
Sparks started all 31 games he appeared in for the Cardinals this past season and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Why Payton Sparks Makes Sense for Wisconsin Men’s Basketball
Dating back to the last offseason, Wisconsin men’s basketball had a clear need in its frontcourt following the departures of Chris Vogt (graduation) and Ben Carlson + Matthew Mors (transfer).
However, UW never found a good fit in the portal and instead relied on former walk-on Carter Gilmore as his backup “big man” and unproven options like Markus Ilver and Chris Hodges.
Coach Gard has already made it abundantly clear that he knows what his team needs and intends to fix this glaring hole going into 2023-24.
I expect the Badgers to be heavy players in the portal as they pursue options to improve their front-court.
Dec 14, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders fly the banners across the court before the game with the Green Bay Phoenix at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Green Bay 73-59. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a busy week for the Wisconsin basketball program, ladies and gents, but fear not because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important news you may have missed.
Wisconsin Badgers Continuing to Keep Tabs on 2023 Forward
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin men’s basketball program might be open to a late addition in the 2023 recruiting class.
After de-committing from Notre Dame in late January, top 150 prospect Brady Dunlap is back on the market, and Wisconsin is one of the schools that expressed interest in the sharpshooting forward, along with Villanova, Seton Hall, Oregon, UCLA, TCU, Saint Mary’s, and Butler.
Arguably the top unsigned prospect in his class, Dunlap is the No. 147 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 22 player in California, according to the 247Sports composite.
Recruiting News: Brady Dunlap tells ESPN he has committed to Mike Brey and Notre Dame. The 6’7” Dunlap is no.82 in the ESPN 100. Ideal fit, as Dunlap is a major jumper shooter, with terrific size and basketball IQ. @11Bradyd@NDmbb@NDMikeBrey@SCNextpic.twitter.com/yZre7de4un
Although the Badgers would seem to have no available scholarships, already holding commitments from four-star big man Gus Yalden and three-star prospects Nolan Winter and John Blackwell, a source indicated that Wisconsin has been enamored with Dunlap for quite some time and felt the need to kick the tires.
With plenty of roster changes expected to occur once the season concludes, it’ll be interesting to see if UW tries to make a real run at a talented late addition to its class.
Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Showing Interest in AAC Transfer Guard
Speaking of players that Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball coaching staff have been in contact with, add a high-scoring combo guard from the AAC into the mix.
Last week, Joe Tipton of On3Sports reported that Wisconsin was among the teams that expressed interest in Temlple transfer guard Khalif Battle.
Along with UW, there is plenty of suitors for Battle because Villanova, Arkansas, Arizona, Ohio State, Memphis, Florida, USC, UCLA, and several other schools have also reached out.
The 6-foot-5, 175-pound guard appeared in 27 games, starting eight, and led the Owls in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game and 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals on 41% shooting from the field.
The former four-star recruit has up to two years of eligibility remaining.
Other Wisconsin Basketball News
Well, it finally happened; St. Thomas leading-scorer, freshman guard Andrew Rohde has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.
The Milwaukee native averaged 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season en route to becoming the Summit League Freshman of the Year.
There were rumblings throughout the season that Greg Gard and company would make Rohde a high priority if he became available — and now that he is, Wisconsin will undoubtedly make a serious play for his services.
Rohde would fill an immediate long/short-term need within the Wisconsin basketball program as a wing with the ideal size to play the “3” that can score the rock and has three years of eligibility remaining.