Basketball

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball 2022-23 Yearbook Awards & Superlatives

Published

1 month ago

February 22, 2023

There is a lot of negative talk about the Wisconsin Men’s Basketball team going around right now — and understandably so. UW currently has a record of (15-11, 7-9 Big Ten) and sits at 11th in the conference standings, meaning the Badgers tournament hopes are dwindling.

But having a negative mindset never got anyone anywhere. So, here’s a little pick-me-up for the Wisconsin men’s basketball fans still holding onto hope and in desperate need of some positivity.

Without further ado, here are the Badger hoops 2022-23 Yearbook Awards & Superlatives.

Best Hair: Chucky Hepburn

Jan 23, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) gestures after making a three point basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chucky Hepburn is recognized for his hair, and he has merch simply with his hair on it. If you can profit off of your hair — you win the award for best hair — no further explanation is needed.

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Best Smile: Tyler Wahl

Dec 29, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl (5) during introductions before the game with the Illinois State Redbirds at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Even though the Badgers haven’t had much to smile about lately, Tyler Wahl is still one of the smiliest/happiest players in my recent memory.

The Minnesota native seems to be a very happy guy with a charismatic smile.

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Life of the Party: Kamari McGee

Kamari McGee - Wisconsin Men's Basketball Point Guard

Feb 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) celebrates a scoring run against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Kamari McGee walked onto campus and instantly became one of the faces of the Wisconsin men’s basketball team.

While he might not play the most significant role on the team, he is plastered all over their social media pages.

You can tell he’s a goofball that easily made friends despite being a transfer from UW-Green Bay. If you haven’t watched the mini-series on Big Ten Network that follows the team through France, go watch it, and you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Class Clown: Ross Candelino

Dec 30, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Ross Candelino, front, celebrates a three-pointer by Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (not shown) during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a bit since Wisconsin has had some big personality on the bench, but Ross Candelino stepped up in a major way.

As a freshman walk-on, Candelino knows it’s not his time to make an impact on the court, but he can, however, impact the game.

His goofy celebrations and reactions to big shots bring an undeniable energy–so take a moment to find Ross on the bench after the next big shot; you won’t be disappointed.

Best Bromance: Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, and Kamari McGee

Nov 24, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Kansas Jayhawks guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) drives to the basket as Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (14) and Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) defend during the first half at Imperial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Do I know anything about the personal lives and friendships on the Wisconsin men’s basketball team? Absolutely not.

But I do know that Carter Gilmore, Chucky Hepburn, and Kamari McGee lived together in a single bedroom for months, thanks to an article written by Abby Schnable earlier this summer.

If you missed the story, Kamari and Chucky started searching for housing for the 2022-2023 school year a little late. When they finally started their search, the place they decided on was unavailable until late August. So what did they do from June to August?

Fellow teammate Carter Gilmore was gracious enough to take them in for several months — and all three Badgers shared a bedroom, bathroom, and closet.

I have no idea what their relationship looks like now; living in that close of quarters would be difficult. But three men sharing one bedroom sounds like a bromance to me.

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball’s Most likely to succeed: Max Klesmit

Feb 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) celebrates scoring a basket during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

For this award, I’d like to preface things by saying I know nothing about what the Wisconsin men’s basketball player’s majors might be — or even what their grades look like — and I’m also not referring to what anyone’s basketball career might look like after college.

For most likely to succeed, I have chosen Wofford transfer Max Klesmit simply based on his drive and ambition.

You can see that in every game, he is giving 110%. Klesmit plays with so much heart, even when things aren’t falling their way. If the 6-foot-3 guard brings the same kind of energy to his personal and professional life, there is no doubt he will succeed in whatever journey is next.

A Judgmental Women’s Thoughts on the Wisconsin Basketball Team

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Related Topics:Featured Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin Basketball Wisconsin Men's Basketball

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Basketball

Wisconsin Basketball Recruiting Roundup: Frontcourt Transfer Portal Targets

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2023

Dillon Graff

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.

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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Basketball

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Connected to Ball State Transfer

Published

4 days ago

March 22, 2023

Dillon Graff

Wisconsin Men's Basketball target Payton Sparks.

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.

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Basketball

Wisconsin Basketball in Contact with 2023 Recruit, New Transfer Target, More

Published

5 days ago

March 21, 2023

Dillon Graff

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 @SCNext pic.twitter.com/yZre7de4un

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) September 23, 2022

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.

pic.twitter.com/fyWjTvOnq6

— Andrew Rohde (@andrewrohde10) March 20, 2023

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.

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