Wisconsin Basketball Mailbag: Blame Game, NIL Discussion, More

Badgernotes.com received a variety of questions about the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program from our dedicated readers earlier this week. 

So, without further adieu, Let’s jump into your mailbag questions…

Who is to blame for Wisconsin basketball losing Chucky Hepburn?  

I don’t see a reason to point fingers or assign blame to anyone involved. Here’s how I see it: Chucky Hepburn received an offer he couldn’t turn down, one that Wisconsin basketball couldn’t match given its limited NIL budget. It’s a business decision on Hepburn’s part and a harsh economic reality for Badgers head coach Greg Gard.

“I’ve seen this landscape coming,” Gard told reporters. “This isn’t a surprise to anybody. I’m not mad at anybody because, specifically Chucky and AJ, if anybody in their right mind told any of you guys or gals that you could go triple your income by taking a different job, you’d do it in a heartbeat, no questions asked.” 

Greg Gard talks about NIL and the transfer portal as well as Chucky and AJ leaving.

“If anybody in your right mind told any of you guys that you could go triple your income by doing a different job, you would do it in a heartbeat.” #Badgers @WKOW pic.twitter.com/K25Cm5Q10F

— Karley Marotta (@Karley_Marotta) April 24, 2024

Some among the fanbase may criticize Gard for his perceived inability to attract and retain top talent. However, in the case of Hepburn, there’s no indication that he’s leaving because of any dissatisfaction with Gard or the program. If Hepburn lacked confidence in Gard, why would his friend, Frankie Fidler, bother taking an official visit to Madison? 

Blue bloods across the country are simply operating on another level regarding the up-front cash they have to dish out in the portal. What bothers me most about the current state of college basketball is that there is no form of accountability for programs tampering with players who haven’t even decided to test the open market. That part sucks. 

This is a pay-for-play landscape, and I’m in favor of everyone getting compensated whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay them, regardless of how it affects the Wisconsin basketball team. Still, there’s no denying Hepburn’s loss stung, but I’ll wish him the best of luck at Louisville. 

Do you think Wisconsin basketball can compete in the NIL world?

In short, yes. But it won’t be without its fair share of challenges.

Gone are the days of the Badgers recruiting balls of clay and developing them for multiple seasons until they’re ready to contribute. There will be constant roster turnover while battling each offseason to retain your core contributors. Spoiler alert: if you don’t have enough money, you must shop for their replacements in the portal; it’s as straightforward as that. 

Until there’s some form of regulation in place, Wisconsin basketball will constantly face an uphill battle in recruiting against programs willing to offer substantial financial incentives to players that they can’t match. 

While The Varsity Collective offers very little transparency, all indications suggest that the Wisconsin Badgers have a respectable amount of NIL resources at their disposal and a solid infrastructure. Nevertheless, they’re in a tier or two below some of the top spenders.

Gard pointed out that Wisconsin basketball nearly tripled its NIL funding in the last year. However, it’s tricky to determine how much the Badgers have and how it compares to other programs  because everyone manages their situations differently. There’s a cap to the funding from these private donors, and the only way to overcome these limitations is by drinking copious amounts of Varsity Golden Ale. 

Badgers country, let’s ride. pic.twitter.com/jehPSieUfK

— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) April 23, 2024

Overall, this reality adds pressure on Gard and the Wisconsin basketball coaching staff to identify recruits, whether that be from the transfer portal or high school ranks, who fit the program and offer upside at a bargain. It’s a challenging task, but it’s the Badgers’ most viable path forward and should keep the program in contention so long as there’s some continuity. 

Remember, this is happening to schools nationwide, not just in Madison.

Have you heard any names linked to the Badgers’ vacant assistant coaching job this offseason? It’s been crickets.

Greg Gard made the somewhat unsurprising choice earlier this offseason to move on from Badgers’ longtime assistant coach, Dean Oliver. 

“It was my decision to make a change on the staff and move forward,” Gard stated. “Coach Oliver did a good job for us, but I have to continue to move forward and push this thing forward. We’re not gonna stay in maintenance mode. We’re going to keep getting better.”

I assumed that Kirk Penney would be a shoo-in for the spot, considering the role he played in revamping the Wisconsin basketball team’s offense this past season. However, Gard made it clear that Penney would become a full-time special assistant and offensive analyst. 

Now, regarding the question you actually asked me. 

I’ll be honest with you: information has been tough to come by on that front. But a name I’ve heard floated a couple of times from people I trust is Cal Poly associate head coach Omar Lowery. I’m not saying that he’s getting the assistant coaching job; I’m simply conveying that I’ve been told that he and Wisconsin basketball have some level of mutual interest. 

Do what you will with that information because I’m sure they’ve been talking to plenty of options and are searching for someone they feel can make an impact on the recruiting trail, but his name keeps coming up. 

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