Wisconsin Basketball Showing Interest in Big Ten Transfer Guard

Madison, Wis. —  Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball coaching staff recently expressed interest in a transfer guard from within the Big Ten conference. 

On Wednesday, Andrew Slate of Cerebro sports reported that Wisconsin was one of the teams that touched base with Illinois guard Jayden Epps, who recently entered the transfer portal. 

Along with UW, Virginia, Georgetown, NC State, Minnesota, DePaul, Georgia, Pitt, Texas A&M, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas, and several other schools contacted Epps. 

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound combo guard averaged 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists this past season on 41.4% shooting from the field in just over 24 minutes per game for Brad Underwood. 

Epps started 11 of the 31 games he appeared in for the Illini during his freshman season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Why Jayden Epps Makes Sense for Wisconsin Basketball 

Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have made no secret they intend to add another plug-and-play guard to their rotation for 2023-24, preferably one that can score the damn ball.

Jayden Epps enjoyed an excellent freshman season for the Illini, finishing with 102.8 ORTG and a 1.6 PRPG, per Barttorvik, which would have been tied for fifth on the Badgers this past season.

He’s a well-built combo guard with excellent strength and finishing ability around the rim. Epps is also a threat to score from all three levels.

Someone with his skillset will assuredly be in high demand, but he makes a ton of sense for Wisconsin. Epps is going to be a polished player for whatever program he lands at when his career is all said and done.

Not kicking the tires on one of the Big Ten’s best and brightest underclassmen would have been malpractice by Greg Gard and his staff had they opted not to reach out.

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