Tag: AJ Storr

Wisconsin transfers A.J. Storr, Chucky Hepburn quiet as Kansas, Louisville face losing skids

Wisconsin transfers A.J. Storr, Chucky Hepburn quiet as Kansas, Louisville face losing skids

The week of Dec. 2 was not kind to the Wisconsin Badgers. The team began the week ranked 11th but dropped two high-profile matchups, one to Big Ten rival Michigan and one to in-state rival No. 5 Marquette.

The team is 8-2 overall and 0-1 in Big Ten play entering the heart of December.

Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Dec. 9): Wisconsin slides, Michigan surges

While the Badgers struggled on the court, so did the program’s former transfers and their respective new programs. Chucky Hepburn and the Louisville Cardinals went 0-2 against No. 23 Ole Miss and No. 9 Duke last week. A.J. Storr and No. 1 Kansas fell to Creighton and Missouri.

Here is how the two former Badgers performed in each of those mentioned losses, plus their updated season averages:

Chucky Hepburn:

  • vs. Ole Miss (86-63 loss): 36 minutes, 19 points, four assists, two rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting, 7-of-9 from the free-throw line
  • vs. Duke (76-65 loss): 37 minutes, eight points, five assists, three rebounds on 2-of-11 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3
  • Season averages: 31.4 minutes, 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.2 steals on 48.8% shooting and 33% from 3

AJ Storr:

  • vs. Creighton (76-63 loss): 27 minutes, 12 points, three rebounds on 4-of-13 shooting
  • vs. Missouri (76-67 loss): 18 minutes, two points, three rebounds on 1-of-7 shooting, 0-of-3 from 3
  • Season averages: 21.3 minutes, 8.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists on 41% shooting and 36% from 3

Hepburn and Storr transferred after leading the 2023-24 Badgers in nearly every category. Hepburn did so after starting at point guard for three seasons.

The ebbs and flows of the basketball season affect individuals and teams. Hepburn started hot, including a statement performance in Louisville’s win over West Virginia at the Battle 4 Atlantis. He and the Cardinals have taken a step back of late. They’re still looking to establish position in a tough ACC.

Storr, meanwhile, plays a reserve role for a Kansas team that is set to fall from its previous No. 1 ranking. He’s had strong outings, including 11 key points in the Jayhawks’ Nov. 26 win over Duke. But his numbers are down across the board after operating as Wisconsin’s primary offensive option last season.

The Badgers did well in finding transfer John Tonje this offseason. The former Colorado State and Missouri wing is averaging 21.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 10 games. But he, like both Hepburn and Storr, has taken a slight step back during Wisconsin’s recent losing skid.

Wisconsin is back on the court on Tuesday night on the road at No. 19 Illinois. Hepburn and Louisville host UTEP before a big game at No. 4 Kentucky, and Storr and Kansas host NC State and Brown before the holiday break.

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How former Wisconsin transfer fared in No. 1 Kansas’ big win over Duke

How former Wisconsin transfer fared in No. 1 Kansas’ big win over Duke

Former Wisconsin Badgers transfer A.J. Storr played an integral role in No. 1 Kansas’ 75-72 win over No. 11 Duke on Tuesday night.

The former Badger notched 11 points in 28 minutes in his first start with the Jayhawks. Storr also registered a pair of assists and a steal in the three-point win.

Storr’s most memorable moment in the blue-blood bout came within the first five minutes of the opening half. The Rockford, Illinois, native cut backdoor from the right corner, fielded an alley-oop pass from point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. and threw down a thunderous dunk with Duke stars Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg converging at the rim.

Storr scored eight of 11 points in the first half to help Bill Self’s team build a double-digit advantage. The Blue Devils rallied to take the lead in the second half, but Kansas prevailed to remain undefeated.

Individually, Storr is averaging 9.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists to go with 50% shooting and 47% from 3-point range thus far through six games. He has logged at least 23 minutes in three appearances this year and appears to have discovered a clear role for one of the nation’s best teams.

Storr transferred to the Jayhawks this offseason after one year with UW in 2023. As a Badger, he chalked up averages of 28.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals per game as Wisconsin’s go-to offensive weapon.

While his departure loomed large, Wisconsin found his replacement, star wing John Tonje. The back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week has accounted for 23 points and over five rebounds per game off 54.3% from the field, 40.6% from deep and 95.2% from the free-throw line.

Wisconsin and Kansas are two of the undefeated teams remaining at the top of the AP Poll.

Wisconsin transfer guard fouls out of Kansas’ win over Michigan State

Wisconsin transfer guard fouls out of Kansas’ win over Michigan State

Wisconsin transfer guard A.J. Storr was mostly a nonfactor in Kansas’ 77-69 win over Michigan State on Tuesday.

The former Badger fouled out in just 12 minutes of action. He finished with six points on 2-of-5 shooting and 1-of-3 from 3-point range. He added two rebounds and a turnover.

Kansas’ statement win was led again by center Hunter Dickinson. The former Michigan Wolverine finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and three steals on 13-of-21 shooting. His strong defensive play also helped the Jayhawks hold the Spartans to just 34.8% shooting.

Storr and the Jayhawks are 3-0 on the young season and still ranked No. 1. The former Badger has season totals of 24 points, six rebounds and five assists over those three games.

Storr’s decision to transfer to Kansas was one of the more notable moments from a busy Wisconsin offseason. Storr and star guard Chucky Hepburn departed via the portal, leaving the Badgers to replace 26 points, 7.2 game and 4.8 assists-per-game of production. That doesn’t even count Tyler Wahl, who the Badgers lost to graduation.

Despite the turnover, Wisconsin boasts a 3-0 mark to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Missouri transfer guard John Tonje has played a big role in the early wins, averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds on 55% shooting.

Storr’s performance on the No. 1 Jayhawks will continue to be worth monitoring, especially if Tonje continues to excel in a primary role with the Badgers.

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Wisconsin basketball found its AJ Storr replacement

Wisconsin basketball found its AJ Storr replacement

Through three games of the 2024-25 season, the Wisconsin Badgers have found a star in transfer wing John Tonje.

UW’s offense took a blow with the departure of top scorer AJ Storr this offseason. With questions surrounding Wisconsin’s No. 1 offensive option looming ahead of this season, Tonje has appeared to fill the void.

Against Holy Cross, Montana State and Appalachian State, Tonje has accumulated 53 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists. Those totals average to 17.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per appearance.

Tonje’s knack for reaching the free-throw line has also seemed to unlock an essential part of Wisconsin’s offensive attack. At 6-foot-5, the Nebraska native’s frame allows him to create contact against smaller guards and penetrate the paint.

The former Colorado State transfer can score from all three levels of the floor. He’s shooting 50% from beyond the arc, over 94% from the free throw line and over 53% from the field.

A season ago, Storr averaged nearly 17 points and nearly four rebounds in 36 appearances for the Badgers. After electing to withdraw from the 2024 NBA draft, Storr transferred to Kansas for another collegiate opportunity.

The 6-foot-7 playmaker tallied nearly 500 field goal attempts in 2023-24 and was the unquestioned go-to option in Greg Gard’s offensive system. The good news for Badgers fans is that it appears Tonje can pick up a chunk of that slack.

Former Wisconsin transfer helps No. 1 Kansas notch a top-10 win

How AJ Storr performed against North Carolina

Former Wisconsin Badgers transfer A.J. Storr was at the center of No. 1 Kansas’ 92-89 win over No. 9 North Carolina on Friday night.

The former Badger scored 13 points in 27 minutes off the bench, also adding three assists, two rebounds and a steal.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s win over Montana State

He is now up to 18 total points, four rebounds, five assists and one steal on 44% shooting and 40% from three-point range thus far through two games. His role and shot volume increased significantly from Kansas’ first to second game of the season — 15 minutes to 27 and five field-goal attempts to 13.

Storr transferred to the Jayhawks this offseason after one year with the Badgers. He averaged 28.8 minutes, 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals through that campaign, operating as the team’s primary offensive engine from the start of the season to its conclusion.

His above-the-rim highlight plays have translated to his new program, seen clearly in the first half of Friday’s game:

Aside from Storr, Kansas was led by a player Wisconsin fans are likely familiar with: former Michigan center Hunter Dickinson. The longtime Wisconsin rival finished the last-minute victory with 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists — that tally including the game’s final three points after the score was tied 89-89 with less than 1:30 remaining.

Kansas Jayhawks guard AJ Storr (2) passes to Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the first half of the game against North Carolina Tar Heels inside Allen Fieldhouse Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Storr, Dickinson and the Jayhawks will remain No. 1 in the AP Poll moving forward. Their next contest is Nov. 12 against a strong Michigan State team.

Wisconsin fans should get used to Storr playing a key role on one of the best teams in college basketball in 2024-25.

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Former Wisconsin basketball star among shortest odds for 2024 Wooden Award

Former Wisconsin basketball star in running for 2024 Wooden Award

Former Wisconsin basketball star AJ Storr is among the favorites to win the Wooden Award entering the 2024-25 college basketball season. BetMGM places Storr’s odds at +2000, tied for the eighth-highest in the sport. [gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ] The Wooden Award is annually awarded to the most outstanding college basketball player in men’s and women’s hoops. Previous winners include Zach Edey, Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis. BetMGM lists only Alabama’s Mark Sears, North Carolina’s RJ Davis, Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Arizona’s Caleb Love, Auburn’s Johni Broome and Marquette’s Kam Jones ahead of the former Badger. Storr, a 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten team member, elected to transfer from UW to Kansas this spring after one season in Madison. Storr averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 steals in 28.8 minutes per appearance in 2023-24, serving as Wisconin’s go-to option on the offensive side of the floor. During the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, he averaged 22.5 points per game and dropped a season-high 30 points against Northwestern. In one game with the Jayhawks this season, the Rockford, Illinois, native scored five points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out a pair of assists against Howard. Storr and the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks battle No. 9 North Carolina on Friday, Nov. 8. [gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ] Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 campaign with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The primary story from the Badgers’ opener: Transfer wing John Tonje had a program-best debut with 23 points and five rebounds, including going 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Tonje’s Wisconsin debut is significant news for Greg Gard and his staff as they work to replace the production of stars A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who transferred to Kansas and Louisville, respectively, this offseason. That opening performance establishes a comparison point for Tonje that is sure to persist throughout the season — more so with Storr, who plays the same position.

Here is Tonje’s full stat line, and how it compares to how Storr and Hepburn began their respective careers at new programs:

  • Tonje (85-61 win over Holy Cross): 27 minutes, 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, 6 of 11 from the floor, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 8 from the line
  • Storr (87-57 win over Howard): 15 minutes off the bench, five points, two rebounds, two assists, 2 of 5 from the floor, 1 of 1 from 3
  • Hepburn (93-45 win over Morehead State): 21 minutes, eight points, one rebound, four assists, 1 of 3 from the floor, 1 of 2 from 3, 5 of 5 from the line

Tonje boasted the best debut of the three on Monday night, although each played in a blowout nonconference win.

He also fared better than Wisconsin’s other transfer additions. Forward Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) tallied two points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes off the bench. Guard Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) missed the game with an injury.

Gard and the Badgers had a tough task attempting to replace the top-end production of Hepburn, Storr and forward Tyler Wahl (graduation). Tonje already appears to be a viable replacement, enough that his production may best that of Storr on No. 1 Kansas.

Tonje, Amos and possibly Hunter will return to the court on Thursday when the Badgers host Montana State. Storr and No. 1 Kansas will battle No. 9 North Carolina on Friday. Hepburn and Louisville will host No. 12 Tennessee on Saturday.

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Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

This story was updated to add new information.

Missouri transfer wing John Tonje headlined Wisconsin basketball’s season-opening win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The sixth-year senior led the team with 23 points and five rebounds on six of 11 shooting, three of six from three-point range and a perfect eight-for-eight from the free throw line. His offense was a key catalyst for the Badgers overcoming an early deficit and finishing with a 24-point win.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

For further context on Tonje’s impact, his 23 points are the most for a Badger in his Wisconsin debut since at least 2000, according to official word from the program.

The total surpasses Josh Gasser’s debut as a freshman in 2010 (21 points). Compared to other recent transfer additions, Tonje’s total of 23 points bests A.J. Storr’s 15 in the 2023-24 opener and Micah Potter’s 12 to begin 2019-20.

Tonje’s emergence has a versatile offensive weapon is significant news for a Wisconsin team looking to replace the wing production of Storr, who transferred to Kansas this offseason. The Missouri transfer already looks like an impact addition for Greg Gard and his staff as the Badgers enter a critical 2024-25 season.

Tonje will lead Wisconsin back on the court on Thursday for a home matchup with Montana State.

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ESPN: Wisconsin basketball ‘hurt by the transfer portal’ during 2024 offseason

ESPN: Wisconsin basketball ‘hurt by the transfer portal’ during 2024 offseason

The Wisconsin Badgers were one of the teams mentioned as ‘hurt by the transfer portal’ by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello in his recent breakdown of the winners and losers of the 2024 college basketball offseason.

Wisconsin was stuck in the ‘hurt’ category due to losing star point guard Chucky Hepburn, star guard A.J. Storr and sharpshooter Connor Essegian to the portal.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

That fallout also saw Hepburn and Storr’s destinations (Louisville and Kansas respectively) each listed as big winners thanks to landing those star players.

In total, Wisconsin’s portal losses were Hepburn, Storr, Essegian and freshman forward Gus Yalden. The additions, then, were Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos — three players who all expect to play a significant role for the Badgers during the 2024-25 season.

The Badgers were by no means a winner during this offseason portal cycle. But the team expects to again be competitive with that incoming transfer class, plus returning contributors including Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl and John Blackwell, and incoming freshmen Daniel Freitag, Jack Robison and Andrija Vukovic.

But when comparing Wisconsin’s current situation to the potential alternative of Hepburn returning and the program landing top transfer guard Frankie Fidler, it’s hard to say the program wasn’t hurt by this portal cycle.

Here’s what Borzello said about the Badgers’ offseason:

The Badgers took gut punch after gut punch via the portal. Leading scorer AJ Storr entered and ended up at Kansas. Connor Essegian leaving was predictable, but happened. Same with Gus Yalden. And then point guard Chucky Hepburn’s loss was the devastating one. He started 103 games in three years with Gard.

I’d agree that this transfer cycle was a net negative. But the program’s future remains bright with the development of players like Blackwell and the potential stardom of incoming freshman Freitag.

Wisconsin should hold its own in 2024-25 with the returning production and incoming transfers. But things line up favorably for 2025-26 and beyond once the young talent reaches its stride.

First, the Badgers get set to open the 2024-25 season with challenging out of conference games against Arizona, Marquette and Butler before a gauntlet Big Ten slate. The biggest key to Wisconsin having a successful season is top-end contributions from all of its offseason additions.

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Wisconsin firmly on the bubble in latest ESPN bracketology

Impressed by Greg Gard’s offseason?

Wisconsin basketball has experienced high-end roster turnover since the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

The Badgers saw the departure of stars Chucky Hepburn (transfer portal), A.J. Storr (transfer portal) and Tyler Wahl (graduation). 2024-25 figured to be an all-in season with Hepburn and Storr possibly returning. That plan was immediately thwarted when the two entered the portal, likely in order to capitalize on the benefits of the current era of college basketball.

Related: Where every member of Wisconsin’s record-breaking recruiting class of 2021 is now

Greg Gard and his staff responded. They landed Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos in the following weeks. The roster now appears to be in solid shape entering the 2024-25 season, given the extreme circumstances.

Badgers fans may be believers, but ESPN is slower to buy into what the 2024-25 Badgers will look like on the floor. Its latest bracketology update has Gard’s team as the ‘First Team Out,’ firmly on the tournament bubble.

The Badgers are listed in the ‘First Four Out’ along with Northwestern, Nebraska and Missouri.

Storry’s new destination Kansas, meanwhile, is the projected No. 1 overall seed. Hepburn’s Louisville Cardinals did not make the field.

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