
The 7-foot junior only fouled out once last season, but had seven games where he picked up four fouls. But Crowl is the man to watch, according to some analysts: he’ll be counted on when it comes to providing interior defense without getting into foul trouble. Shooting guard Max Klesmit and small forward Jordan Davis (Johnny’s brother) were put to work as the team’s other two starters. Hepburn, Wahl, and junior center Stephen Crowl proved they still play well together. Wisconsin went 4-0 in an August trip to France. The Badgers are already off to a great start. Despite Johnny Davis’ absence, history shows you shouldn’t overlook a consistently-deep Badgers’ bench.ģ. And in 2015, they made it just as far, after losing both Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker to the NBA draft. In 2007, the team made the Sweet 16 after Alando Tucker turned pro. Wisconsin has a history of going far in the tournament, even after losing first-round draft picks.Īfter Devon Harris was drafted in 2004, Wisconsin made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. Ethan Happ, Nigel Hayes, and Bronson Koenig (2016-17)Ģ.Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig (2015-16).

Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker (2014-15).This is the fourth time Wisconsin has had two or more players on the list since 2014, following former Badger greats: They’re two of the top defensive players in the league and two of Wisconsin’s key pieces coming back this season. Senior forward Tyler Wahl and sophomore point guard Chucky Hepburn both made the Big Ten’s preseason all-conference team, which has just 11 players on it. The Badgers are the only team with two players on the prestigious All-Big Ten list. The Badgers could use the opportunity to gain more experience for their younger players, providing them with some postseason experience, but it also has been a whirlwind of a season, which is why it would make sense if Wisconsin moves forward to an integral offseason for Greg Gard.1. Really I’ve been focused on this and worried about preparing and helping these guys try to do some damage here.” Now, will the Badgers entertain an NIT opportunity if they do not make the NCAA tournament? Gard was non-committal to the opportunity. Whatever that leads to down the road, we live with it.” “The intent and what we talked about was trying to win here today and move on tomorrow and see if we can stack five together. So, I said to this group hopefully we have more basketball to play. Then you end up wherever you are after that. “So résumé comparison and all that stuff - we wanted to come in here and try to win this thing. Gard had hoped that the Badgers could add to their resume with several wins at the tournament, but now has to live with the result of the disappointing finish. If we are, we’ll get ready to go and do that, and if we’re not, we’ve had a lot of opportunities to put ourselves in position.”

You can look around and find differing opinions. However, Gard’s tune changed postgame, as the head coach expressed some uncertainty, but added his team would be prepared for either possibility.

Must have been his message before the game- Ryan Wing March 9, 2023 Greg Gard told Andy Katz before the game he thought Wisconsin’s resume was good enough to make the tournament even with a loss to Ohio State.
