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?

I wish you good luck on your decision

— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) September 22, 2023

Would’ve loved to have seen you go to Madison. Good luck!

— Derek Fer Real (@DerekFerReal) September 21, 2023

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.

puke

— Glowing Ice Beer Cold (@HaakonMusic) September 21, 2023

Anyone who actually ever seriously thought this kid was going to go to Wisconsin needs their head examined. https://t.co/Ts7BsB0QtB

— Kyle Birling (@KJBD11) September 21, 2023

(I was going to say he is dead to me, but that just seems sort of melodramatic. That said, I hope they lose every game and he misses every shot. If they ever play Wisconsin, I hope he get booed.)

— Badgermaniac (@THEbadgermaniac) September 22, 2023

I want to say a lot of mean things but have to remember he’s just a kid #somethings https://t.co/64HtcyHuGD

— KG (@kgallstar23) September 21, 2023

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.

Fire Gard https://t.co/4bfcvpNt2E

— Ron’s Cards (@ronaldwalkeriii) September 21, 2023

Gard missed on the best player in the state? Stunning. That’s never happened before.

— In Development 🕶️ (@j__1252) September 21, 2023

Never forget that Greg Gard HAD TYLER HERRO COMMITTED…and basically told him to go elsewhere.

He’s not cut out for this.

— In Development 🕶️ (@j__1252) September 22, 2023

Greg Gard sucks so much 😂😂 https://t.co/7uR47TRMEK

— nave (@NaveSirom) September 21, 2023

What does GG do well?

— Cardio Pharm (@JoeRinka) September 22, 2023

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.

I’ll obviously still root for Kon to find all the success in the world

But having the chance to be an all time legend and fan favorite at Wisconsin vs just another great one at Duke feels like a missed opportunity

NBA guy either way and probably a higher scorer at Wisconsin

— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) September 21, 2023

All time worst Badger 🏀 losses to Duke

1. 2015 Championship game
2. Kon Knueppel (2023)
3. 2014 at home

— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) September 21, 2023

Congrats to Kon. Great player. Great kid.

My sons’ @DePereHoops teams have played against him the last two years and will do so again this year at home on Jan. 13. If you’re in the area, come check it out. https://t.co/xcjVpHLliu

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 21, 2023

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

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In college basketball recruiting, the latest rankings update can bring about waves of excitement and anticipation. The recent 247Sports 2024 recruiting class rankings update for Wisconsin basketball fans will likely elicit mixed emotions, as one of the Badgers commits saw their stock rise significantly — while another unexpectedly saw their stock dip.

Wisconsin, known for its rich basketball tradition, has always been an exceptional recruit and develop program, where players that need more seasoning make their mark at the collegiate level later in their careers.

The latest rankings update reaffirms that Greg Gard has done an exceptional job of identifying system fits early in the process and closing on his top-of-the-board recruiting targets.

Where Wisconsin Basketball Commits Landed in the Latest Recruiting Update.

As it stands, Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have the No. 19 rated class in the composite rankings and the No. 5 class in the Big Ten, with two Top 150 prospects.

In a surprising development, three-star wing Jack Robison from Lakeville North, Minnesota, jumped all the way from No. 178 to No. 101 and is now the highest-rated Wisconsin Badgers basketball recruit in the 2024 cycle.

On the flip side, prize point guard recruit Daniel Freitag, the highest-rated recruiting win of the Greg Gard era when he committed, dropped from No. 98 to No. 124.

Final Thoughts 

While these rankings updates are certainly cause for celebration, it’s essential to remember that they represent just one chapter in the journey of these young athletes. Regardless of the rankings drop, I refuse to believe there are 123 better players in this class than Daniel Freitag. 

The rising ranking of Wisconsin basketball commit Jack Robison serves as a motivating force for both him and the coaching staff. The rankings validate the hard work put in by all parties when Robison was unranked, and now the national pundits are catching a glimpse of the potential that can be unlocked in the years to come.

While rankings are a valuable measure of potential, the true impact of these commits will be felt in the games they play and the moments they create on the hardwood. Wisconsin basketball fans can look forward to an exciting era of Wisconsin Badgers basketball fueled by intriguing talents ready to leave their mark on the program.

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During the first live evaluation period of the summer, Greg Gard and his coaching staff were impressed enough to offer a scholarship to 2025 four-star power forward Trent Sisley out of Lincoln City, Indiana.

This past weekend, their relationship took another step in the right direction when UW got the top 100 recruit on campus for an unofficial visit to Madison.

Badger Nation?? #notcommitted pic.twitter.com/EyfXBSKx2g

— Trent Sisley (@SisleyTrent) September 17, 2023

According to the industry-generated Composite rankings, Sisley is the No. 53 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the No. 13 PF in the country, and the No. 4 player in Indiana.

Currently, the 6-foot-7 forward holds offers from Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, West Virginia, and the Wisconsin basketball program.

Exploring Trent Sisley & His Unofficial Visit with Wisconsin Basketball

It’s easy to see why the Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff wanted to get Trent Sisley on campus. He’s a versatile forward who could slot in as a more traditional small forward or bump down and serve as a stretch four. Sisley’s fundamentals and explosiveness make him someone who could see the floor early for whichever program he chooses — while still having plenty of upside. 

However, Wisconsin basketball has an uphill climb to land his services, considering almost everyone in the Big Ten is involved in this recruitment.

Coach Chambliss is acting as the lead recruiter for Sisley. Still, from everything I’ve heard surrounding Sisley’s recruitment, the University of Wisconsin is “in the mix” at best — with a lean towards Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Indiana. 

As it stands, Greg Gard has an early commitment from three-star in-state shooting guard Zach Kinziger. But it’s also worth noting that Wisconsin basketball envisions the 2025 recruiting class being a sizeable one — with players like Davion Hannah, EJ Walker, Will Garlock, and Xzavion Mitchell looking like more realistic options at this juncture.  

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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