What to Expect From Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball This Season

2025-11-17 15:01

As I sit down to analyze the upcoming Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball season, I can't help but draw parallels to what we've witnessed in collegiate basketball's other major conferences. Having followed college hoops for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen eye for spotting program-defining seasons, and something tells me this could be one for the Badgers. The landscape of collegiate men's basketball has never been more competitive, with talents emerging from every corner of the nation - much like how five players stood out dramatically in UAAP Season 87 and NCAA Season 100 overseas. That kind of standout performance is exactly what Wisconsin will need from its core players if they hope to make noise in the brutal Big Ten conference this year.

Looking at the roster construction, what excites me most is the blend of veteran leadership and promising young talent. The Badgers return three starters from last year's squad that finished 20-15 overall and 11-9 in conference play. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but considering they faced seven ranked opponents during that stretch, it shows this team has experience against high-level competition. Steven Crowl's decision to return for his senior season might be the single most important development for this program. The seven-footer averaged 12.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, but what the stats don't show is his incredible basketball IQ and passing ability for a big man. I've watched every game of his career, and his development has been remarkable - from a tentative freshman to someone who can legitimately orchestrate offense from the high post.

The backcourt situation fascinates me because it reminds me of those standout players from international leagues who carry their teams through crucial moments. Chucky Hepburn enters his third season as the unquestioned leader at point guard, and I believe he's poised for an All-Big Ten caliber year. His defensive prowess is already elite - he averaged 2.1 steals per game last season - but where I expect significant improvement is in his scoring efficiency. If he can boost his three-point percentage from last year's 36% to somewhere around 40%, that changes everything for this offense. What often separates good teams from great ones is having a guard who can create his own shot in crunch time, and Hepburn has shown flashes of that ability throughout his career.

Where this team could really surprise people is with its wing depth. Transfer additions AJ Storr from St. John's and Noah Reynolds from Green Bay provide scoring punch that was sorely missing at times last season. Storr in particular intrigues me - he dropped 18 points against Marquette last year and showed he can compete against high-major competition. Having watched his tape extensively, I'm convinced his athleticism and mid-range game will translate beautifully to the Big Ten style of play. The Badgers ranked just 78th nationally in scoring offense last season, and these additions should help address that weakness immediately.

The non-conference schedule sets up nicely for this team to build confidence before the grueling Big Ten slate. Games against Tennessee and Marquette will be early tests, but I particularly like the matchup against Providence in the Gavitt Games. What many casual fans don't realize is how important these early-season contests are for NCAA tournament résumé building. Having followed the selection process for years, I can tell you that quality non-conference wins carry significant weight come March. Last season, the Badgers went 2-3 against ranked non-conference opponents - improving that record could mean the difference between a middle-tier seed and potentially sneaking into the top four.

Defensively, I expect this team to maintain the disciplined approach that has become synonymous with Wisconsin basketball under Greg Gard. The Badgers have finished in the top 40 of KenPom's defensive efficiency ratings in six of the last seven seasons, and with the length and experience returning, I see no reason that trend won't continue. What could make this year's defense special is the versatility on the perimeter - with Hepburn, Max Klesmit, and Connor Essegian, Gard has multiple options to throw at opposing teams' primary scorers. Essegian in particular made tremendous defensive strides throughout his freshman campaign, and if he continues that development, this could be one of the better defensive backcourts in recent Wisconsin memory.

The Big Ten landscape looks particularly challenging this season, with Purdue returning most of its core from last year's dominant team and Michigan State reloading with another top-tier recruiting class. Having watched this conference evolve over the past decade, I can confidently say this might be the deepest the league has been during that span. The Badgers finished tied for third last season, and honestly, I think that's probably their floor this year if everyone stays healthy. The ceiling? I could see this team challenging for a regular-season title if a couple of the younger players develop ahead of schedule and the transfers integrate seamlessly.

What gives me confidence is the coaching stability. Greg Gard has proven he can develop talent and make in-season adjustments as well as anyone in the country. Remember, this is the same coach who led the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten title just two seasons ago. His offensive system, with its emphasis on spacing, ball movement, and quality shots, perfectly suits the personnel on this roster. Having spoken with several former players, they consistently mention how Gard's attention to detail and preparation gives them confidence in tight games. In a league where coaching often makes the difference in close contests, that's a significant advantage.

As we look toward March, I believe this Wisconsin team has the potential to make a deeper tournament run than we've seen in recent years. The combination of experienced guards, improved scoring options, and defensive discipline creates a profile that typically translates well to postseason success. The Badgers haven't reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament since 2017, and frankly, that's too long for a program of this caliber. This group has the pieces to change that narrative. My prediction? Wisconsin finishes in the top four of the Big Ten and earns a 4-seed in the NCAA tournament, with the potential to advance to the Sweet Sixteen if the matchups break right. The pieces are there - now it's about putting them together consistently from November through March.