Wisconsin Basketball: #3 Essegian Set for Massive Season

Wisconsin basketball shooting guard Connor Essegian started last season coming off the bench, but that did not last long. Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard soon realized he needed the sharpshooting freshman in the starting lineup. An electric presence from beyond the arc, Essegian draws the attention of opposing defenses, opening up his teammates down below. After Gard showed a surprising lineup change in an exhibition matchup with UW-Stevens Point, I am convinced Essegian is poised for a breakout year.

Wisconsin Badgers basketball tips off its season opener against the Arkansas State Red Wolves in just three days. Catch up on the BadgerNotes season preview series today to be ready for your return to the Kohl Center:

• Day 10: Is Tyler Wahl a Top-10 Defender in Program History?
• Day 9: Badgers Face Early Test Against the #9 Ranked Tennessee Volunteers
• Day 8: Wisconsin Basketball Has One of the Most Challenging Schedules in the Country, Featuring Eight Ranked Matchups
• Day 7: 7 Games the Badgers Must Win to Get Back to the NCAA Tournament
• Day 6: Has Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard Fixed His Sixth Man Problem?
• Day 5: A Five-Game Stretch Will Decide the Wisconsin Badgers’ Big Ten Fate
• Day 4: Wisconsin Basketball Makes HUGE Jump in Big Ten Standings with Bold Prediction

Wisconsin Basketball Takes Essegian Out of Its Starting Lineup

In its preseason exhibition game against UW-Stevens Point, Wisconsin inserted St. Johns transfer AJ Storr into its starting lineup. Storr, taking the place of Essegian, was wildly impressive. Despite Storr’s exciting performance, I am even more excited about what his presence means for Essegian.

Wisconsin guard AJ Storr (2) finds an open man during the first half of their preseason game against UW-Stevens Point Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Allowing the Indiana native to come off the bench provides a spark to the Wisconsin Badgers offense. Jordan Davis struggled to reach five points per game off the bench last season. Essegian, meanwhile, averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in his first season in Madison. If he can replicate that production from the bench, opposing defenses are in for a challenge. Watching Storr head to the bench just to watch a three-point marksman take his place on the floor is rough for any unit in the Big Ten.

Essegian showed that advantage in the exhibition. Despite finishing the first half shooting 0-3 from three (including a brutal airball), he proved his fearlessness. The sophomore came out swinging in the second half finishing with 11 points on 3-9 shooting from beyond the arc in just 14 minutes.

Essegian Could Break More Wisconsin Badgers Records

Essegian donning #3 for Wisconsin basketball is fitting. The former three-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite shattered UW’s record for three-point makes by a freshman last season even before the calendar turned to March. The 2022 Indiana Mr. Basketball finalist is the opposite of a scared shooter. His 11 attempts from beyond the arc in a 15-point performance against Northwestern last February is tied for the ninth-most three-point attempts in a game in program history.

Plus, his .884 shooting from the free throw line last season was 37th-best in the country, according to KenPom. If he gets to the line more consistently without turning the ball over (an issue that hampered him a bit last season), Essegian could become an All-Big Ten-level athlete.

Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian (3) misses a three-point shot during the second half of their preseason game Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-Stevens Point 87-44.

At every level he has played, the 2023 Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree has gotten buckets. He finished high school in the top ten of Indiana high school basketball’s all-time scoring list. Essegian left his mark on a state known for basketball greatness.

In Madison, Essegian has not slowed down. With his record-setting first season, he became just the fifth Wisconsin Badgers in 25 years to average double-digit scoring in their freshman season. If you are on a list with Devin Harris, Alando Tucker, Ethan Happ, and Brad Davison, you are in company with Wisconsin basketball greatness.

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