Wisconsin Basketball News: Wahl Mulling Return, New Recruiting Target, More

It’s been a busy week for the Wisconsin men’s 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.

Senior Forward Tyler Wahl Mulling Return Next Season

Wisconsin basketball has always had a knack for finding gritty, blue-collar players that give 110% on every play, and Tyler Wahl is just one of the latest examples. 

UW’s lone senior, who has a COVID year in his back pocket, knows if he returns, it would be to a team that brings back all of its key players while having a chance to add another piece or two from the transfer portal that could put them right back into contention. Not to mention, the Badgers have a talented three-man freshman class with some intriguing recruits. 

“My heart and soul is here,” Wahl told UW reporters. “This has always been my dream school.”

When Greg Gard was asked about the potential of Wahl playing next season, he had this to say: 

“We’ve had a little conversation with Tyler, but until that day comes, hopefully, that’s down the road, we’ll dive deeper into it,” said Gard. “He’s in a good place. I just want to let him carry out these next two, plus the Big Ten Tournament, plus whatever happens after that.”

The 6-foot-9 senior has arguably been one of Wisconsin’s best/most versatile defensive players. And his low-post game, despite taking a dip in efficiency this season, is still an invaluable weapon should he choose to return. 

Take this for what it’s worth, but Wisconsin basketball didn’t have a video ceremony for him at the end of the final home game against Purdue — which is abnormal.

If I were a betting man (and I am), I’d say Tyler Wahl will be back in the cardinal and white for one final season in Madison.

Wisconsin Basketball Expressing Interest in a 2025 SG

As it stands, Wisconsin basketball has only two known scholarship offers out in the 2025 recruiting class, both to in-state prospects, Davion Hannah and Kai Rogers. 

But according to a report from Brandon Jenkins, assistant coach Dean Oliver has recently been in contact with a new shooting guard, Caleb Steger, out of Dallas, Texas.  

“We talked about their brand and their school,” Steger told Jenkins. “He talked to me about their season this year and how they play and also told me that he likes my game and how I could fit into their program. He wants me to come out there.”

The 6-foot-4 sophomore is currently unranked by 247Sports and averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game as a sophomore at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. 

@ProSkillsEYBL pic.twitter.com/tgVdiuqxJN

— Caleb Steger (@calebsteger) July 29, 2022

Steger has just one scholarship offer from TCU, but that will change quickly this summer once he gets in front of coaches on the AAU circuit.

Wisconsin Basketball Gets IMPORTANT Visitor Back on Campus 

When Wisconsin basketball took on No. 5 Purdue this past week, it was in front of the crown jewel of the 2024 in-state recruiting class. 

Four-star wing Kon Knueppel, out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, returned to campus for the umpteenth time to take in the game. 

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound sniper is the No. 42 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 13 SF in the country, and the No. 1 player in Wisconsin. He holds offers from Notre Dame, Stanford, Virginia, Marquette, Iowa, Ohio State, USC, and many others.

Knueppel has taken official visits to Virginia, Notre Dame, and Stanford but makes a concerted effort to visit his in-state schools — because they’re at or near the top of his list.

Kon Knueppel put up 33 points on Friday night! Highlights of the 6'6 2024 SG @KnueppelKon

Full highlights: https://t.co/iafICB2V2u pic.twitter.com/0Bq6CXoHZK

— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) February 5, 2023

This recruitment has been tight-lipped, but Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program are firmly in the mix. Knueppel has the potential to be a program-altering talent if UW can keep him home. 

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