Basketball

Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Doesn’t Need a Roster Overhaul

Published

1 month ago

February 23, 2023

Opinion: Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Doesn’t Need a Roster Overhaul

Madison, Wis. — I understand the struggles the Wisconsin men’s basketball program has had this season — I watch the same games as everyone else.

However, I consider myself an optimist, and I don’t for one second believe this program is the dumpster fire that the vocal minority would lead you to believe. Sure, it has its warts, but the foundation is solid.

While an NCAA Tournament birth might be a longshot, I evaluate every Wisconsin Badgers roster by how many players would earn minutes on a Big Ten title-worthy team–something we’ve been lucky enough to see firsthand two of the last three seasons (thank you, Greg Gard).

I then use that curve to determine how many pieces Wisconsin men’s basketball needs to add to get back in the hunt.

By my count, the Badgers currently have six players who would play for Greg Gard on a GOOD Wisconsin team.

That’s not to say there aren’t others deserving of minutes this season — or players capable of developing into those roles down the road — instead, it’s simply who fits the criteria as I write this today.

Who Makes up the Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Teams Foundation?

Oct 12, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, US; Wisconsin Badgers players Steven Crowl, Chucky Hepburn, and Tyler Wahl speak to the media during the Big Ten Basketball Media Days at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

I might be in the minority, but I firmly believe that Connor Essegian and Steven Crowl are the two best/most important players in the Wisconsin men’s basketball program — and the advanced stats agree.

Per Barttorvik.com, Big Steve and Essegian lead UW in PRPG with 2.7 and 2.6, respectively. PRPG is a metric that essentially accounts for how many points a player is worth to a program – relative to a replacement-level option.

Realistically, an argument could be made for anyone of UW’s top four players as the most important — but Essegian’s scoring and Crowl being a seven-footer with an expanding low post game and facilitating ability make these two vital to the team’s success moving forward.

But That’s Not All…

Then, Wisconsin men’s basketball has a dynamic two-way forward like Tyler Wahl, who is the perfect complimentary player that can be a go-to option in the low post against the right matchup, + he could use his extra year of eligibility next season and help make up an impressive frontcourt duo.

Wofford transfer Max Klesmit is a dawg on the defensive end, knocks down threes at an efficient clip, and is a low-usage offensive player – AKA a glue guy. Every good Wisconsin team has featured a player just like him + he has multiple years of eligibility remaining.

Chucky Hepburn, the sophomore point guard, is the straw that stirs the drink. He is far from a finished product, and he could easily become UW’s best player with some seasoning. Still, his ball security, defense, and three-point shooting make him a foundational piece for Wisconsin men’s basketball to continue building around.

Last but not least, the sixth player, at least in my eyes, is Jordan Davis. He plays good defense, doesn’t turn the ball over, provides some shooting off the bench, and is a solid rebounder.

This isn’t a knock on Carter Gilmore, I’m a supporter of him and think he’s done a terrific job given the minutes he’s been forced into, but on a Big Ten title-contending team, there wouldn’t be this sizable of a role for him.

Additionally, Kamari McGee could become a quality bench piece (he’s shown flashes), but he’s still putting it all together at the Power 5 level.

So Where Does that Leave Wisconsin Men’s Basketball?

All of this is to say that Wisconsin Men’s basketball isn’t that far away from competing for a Big Ten title and could even make a run as early as next season if Tyler Wahl returns and no key contributors leave.

And I know everyone loves to talk shit about Greg Gard’s recruiting efforts, but the 2023 class is pretty damn good, IMO. Gus Yalden, Nolan Winter, and John Blackwell are great schematic fits and will instantly provide an influx of talent on the roster, regardless of their ability to play as true freshmen.

This roster desperately needs another true big man off the bench (sorry, Chris Hodges ain’t it) and a small forward with size + perimeter skills (I’m looking at you, Andrew Rohde).

If coach Gard can find one or two players in the transfer portal capable of slotting into the rotation immediately and count on some internal development — Wisconsin men’s basketball should be a top-25 preseason team in 2023-24.

I’d never tell anyone how to fan, but it’s OK to be a glass-half-full person from time to time. Cheers.

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 Basketball Recruiting Roundup: Frontcourt Transfer Portal Targets

Published

12 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.

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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.

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 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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