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Wisconsin Basketball: Badgers Face Daunting Non-Conference Schedule

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4 months ago

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Wisconsin Basketball; Badgers coach Greg Gard
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

Madison, Wis. – Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball team struggled to meet expectations a season ago, and now they will have to prove themselves against an even tougher slate of non-conference opponents this upcoming season.

Recently, the Wisconsin Badgers announced their upcoming out of conference games for next season. Between Arizona, Tennessee, and Providence, UW will be up against plenty of experienced players. Of course, their toughest competition in 2023 will come from the Big Ten where the Badgers will have to expect serious competition.

A major question still remains for the Wisconsin basketball program as the 2023 season approaches. Will the Wisconsin Badgers be able to compete with their backs against the wall?

Badgers Must Prepare For Difficult Season Following NCAA Tournament Absence

This past season, the Wisconsin Badgers failed to make the NCAA Tournament after a difficult season. The Badgers had plenty of ups and downs, and while missing the tournament hurt, their play in the NIT was a boost. During the NIT, many analysts believed the Badgers could exit the tournament early after struggling against their Big Ten opposition to finish the regular season. The Wisconsin basketball team had other plans however.

For the Badgers, the play of Connor Essegian, Steven Crowl, and Chucky Hepburn led Wisconsin during a deep run. Crowl exploded for 36 points against Bradley in the first round of the tournament. Hepburn dropped 27 points in the second round against Liberty. Essegian had his best performance against Bradley, scoring 14 points and recording five rebounds. While Wisconsin inevitably lost to North Texas in the Semifinal and struggled at times, the experience has provided plenty for the Badgers.

The major takeaway that many critics want to make is that Wisconsin shined at times and struggled during the NIT, which is not as meaningful as the NCAA Tournament. However, Wisconsin can take away plenty of positives from their performance during the tournament. Wisconsin shot 41.9% on average per game during the NIT while scoring 271 points. During the previous four games the Badgers played, Wisconsin scored 268 points on 41.5% shooting, but lost three of those games. The difference was not the consistency or the power of the offense. Rather, the difference was the efficiency of the Wisconsin defense.

Wisconsin Basketball Defense is Key to Future Success During Upcoming Season

To end the Big Ten season, the Wisconsin basketball team allowed 282 points in their final four games. The Badgers lost to Michigan, Purdue, and Ohio State in dramatic fashion. Despite their losses, the defense came back during the NIT and played significantly better. Wisconsin allowed 245 points during the NIT, while allowing their opponents to shoot 43.9% from the floor. While Wisconsin has a strong offense, their team often struggled to shoot at times, which caused a heavy reliance on their defense.

The difference between the production of the Wisconsin basketball team on offense and the offensive production of their opponents is something to worry about. Wisconsin has the ability to score, but aiming to solely outscore their opponents next season would be a futile plan. The Badgers biggest need for their team involves their shot defense. Wisconsin needs to force their opponents to take more difficult shots this upcoming season to become better on defense.

With the right application of their learning experiences this past season, the Wisconsin basketball team can attack this tough upcoming season head on.

Former Wisconsin Basketball Guard Finds a New Home

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Jarrett Guerrera on Twitter @JarrettGuerrera.

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Wisconsin Women’s Basketball 2023-24 Schedule Preview

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24 hours ago

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September 24, 2023

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Wisconsin Badgers Women's Basketball
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.

Wisconsin Women’s Basketball 2023-24 Schedule Preview

First up, a few key dates:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 7, season opener vs. Milwaukee
  • 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.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Drew Hamm on Twitter @DrewHamm5

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Wisconsin Basketball News: Badgers Miss on Blue-Chip Recruit, Scrimmage Announced, More

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2 days ago

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September 23, 2023

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Wisconsin basketball; Badgers coach Greg Gard talks to Max Klesmit
Mar. 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a busy week for the Wisconsin basketball program, ladies and gents, but you’re in luck because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important Badgers hoops news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Basketball Misses on Five-Star In-State Recruit 

Five-star shooting guard Kon Knueppel, out of Milwaukee (WI), has been Greg Gard’s top target in the 2024 recruiting class for over two years. 

According to the industry-generated composite recruiting rankings, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter is the No. 16 player in the country, the No. 7 SF, and the No. 1 recruit in America’s Dairyland. 

After taking official visits to Marquette, Alabama, Virginia, Duke, and UW earlier this month, the Badgers learned on Thursday that Knueppel was taking his talents to Durham and joining Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils. 

While the news is undoubtedly disappointing, Wisconsin basketball did everything they could in this recruitment — and even put together a “substantial” NIL package. 

As it stands, UW has the No. 22 ranked recruiting class in the country, holding verbal commitments from Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison in the 2024 cycle.

Wisconsin Badgers Announce Red-White Scrimmage Date 

On Thursday, the University of Wisconsin basketball program put out a press release announcing that the annual Red-White scrimmage will take place on Sunday, October 15, at 4 PM central time. 

Per usual, the Badgers scrimmage will be free, with seating awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The gates will open at 2:30 PM for anyone wanting an up close and personal look at this year’s squad. 

Additionally, this will be the first Wisconsin men’s basketball event in which alcohol will be available for purchase — which is a massive win for Badgers fans. 

One last thing of note: the Red-White scrimmage takes place on a bye week for the Green Bay Packers, a savvy move by the athletic department. 

Other Wisconsin Basketball News

Although Wisconsin basketball is more than likely done in the 2024 cycle and moving on to the 2025 recruiting class, the Badgers coaches are still keeping tabs on top 150 big man Jaden Smith out of Chicago, Illinois.

According to the composite rankings, Smith is the No. 146 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle, the No. 26 C in the country, and the No. 5 player in Illinois.

As it stands, Smith holds offers from Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Dayton, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, St. Louis, TCU, and others. However, Wisconsin Badgers assistant coach Dean Oliver has kept in contact with the 6-foot-11 big man and plans to attend an open gym later this fall to watch Smith again up close.

Smith isn’t your traditional Wisconsin basketball big man. He’s a rim-running shot blocker with above-average athleticism who can make plays above the rim.

His game is still a big raw, but there’s enough untapped potential to warrant maintaining contact in recruitment that is “wide open,” according to Smith. There’s also some mutual interest — so we’ll continue to monitor their relationship now that the Badgers have their answer on Kon Knuppel.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

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Wisconsin Basketball Fans React: Badgers Miss on 5-Star Recruit

Published

4 days ago

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September 21, 2023

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Wisconsin Basketball; Badgers recruiting target Kon Knueppel
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.


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.


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 Football Fans React: Badgers Defeat Georgia Southern

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Kedrick Stumbris on Twitter @KedrickStumbris.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to BadgerNotes After Dark on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the official Wisconsin Badgers podcast of the Big Banter Sports Network.

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