Feb 26, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) dribbles against Michigan Wolverines guard Jace Howard (25) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-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 Athletic Director Defends Greg Gard
I understand that we live in a ‘what have you one for me lately’ society, but the answer can’t be to fire the head coach every time Wisconsin basketball hits a rough patch.
So forgive me if I don’t base my personal judgments of Greg Gard on one up-and-down season while ignoring his body of work–which is a sentiment that Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Director Chris McIntosh echoed in a conversation with Jim Polzin of the WSJ earlier this week.
*Gard haters may want to brace themselves because he isn’t coaching for his job down the stretch.
“There has not even been a conversation about that,” McIntosh told Polzin earlier this week, reiterating his confidence in Greg Gard.
“Our fan base is passionate,” he said. “We all share high expectations…And sometimes you’ve just got to push through adversity, and that’s what we’re doing right now. We’ve got a young team, and these experiences will pay dividends in the long run.”
You can never say anything with 100% confidence because none of us know the conversations happen behind closed doors. Still, Gard has won the Big Ten regular season title in two of the last three seasons and, by definition, is running a championship-level program — as defined by Chris McIntosh himself.
So to think Greg Gard was coaching for his job after one down season is laughably premature. He’s earned the right to fix this thing in the offseason.
If the Wisconsin basketball program is enduring similar struggles this time next year and is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, they’ll reevaluate.
Connor Essegian Sets a Wisconsin Basketball Freshman Record
Wisconsin basketball’s standout freshman guard Connor Essegian set a school record in Sunday’s 87-79 overtime loss at Michigan.
The 6-foot-4 guard poured in a team-high 24 points and knocked down a three-pointer with just over 15 minutes left in the second half, giving him the all-time Badgers record for made threes by a freshman, eclipsing the mark (60), previously set by Brad Davison back in 2018.
Essegian, an Indiana native, leads the Wisconsin basketball team in scoring with 12.1 points per game — which, if he can uphold, will make him the first freshman to lead the Badgers in scoring since Sam Okey did it in 1995-96.
Wisconsin Basketball RUMOR
Last but certainly not least, there is a rumor swirling (dating back to the start of the season, but since given added fuel by Patrick Reusse) that St. Thomas freshman standout Andrew Rohde is going into the portal [this offseason] and transferring to a Big Ten school (not MN).
Sad to offer this: Hot rumor that Rohde, the terrific freshman guard, is going to portal to a Big Ten school (not MN). https://t.co/Km9eA1jgx1
Rohde, a 6-foot-6 wing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is averaging 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 45.5% shooting from the field.
According to the 247Sports Composite, he was the No. 316 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, the No. 51 SG in the country, and the No. 7 player in Wisconsin.
He held offers from Appalachian State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, DePaul, Illinois-Chicago, Western Illinois, Western Michigan, and UW-Milwaukee.
Although he was lightly recruited out of Brookfield Central High School, Rohde has quickly made a name for himself and would assuredly be a hot name on the market if he was to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
There have been rumblings throughout the season that Greg Gard and company would make Rohde a high priority if he became available — and there is no doubt that he 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 multiple years of eligibility remaining.
I’d keep an eye on this one once the season finishes.
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.