Tag: AJ Storr

WATCH: A.J. Storr puts a violent exclamation point on Wisconsin’s win over Ohio State

WATCH: A.J. Storr puts a violent exclamation point on Wisconsin’s win over Ohio State

This is not often something you can write about a Wisconsin basketball win, as seldom has the program had a high-flying athletic guard like it does this year in A.J. Storr.

First, there’s the context that Storr leads the team in points with 14.9 and has been the perfect addition to the veteran core of Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl. But second, he is an athlete the Badgers haven’t had in years.

That brings us to the end of Wisconsin’s 71-60 win over Ohio State last night that brought the Badgers to 12-3 on the season and 4-0 in Big Ten play.

Time running out, Storr with the ball and only a basket ahead of him.

Should Storr have dunked the ball instead of running out the clock? That’s a different discussion. The point here is this is an exclamation point we seldom see put on a Wisconsin victory. So as fans of the team, celebrate what’s currently happening.

This is trending as the best Wisconsin team since 2015.

WATCH: AJ Storr’s road to Madison

AJ Storr’s road to Madison

The Badgers men’s basketball team is out to a 11-3 start to the season and they’re the 15th ranked team in the country, greatly due to the production they’ve received from transfer guard AJ Storr.

Storr currently leads Wisconsin with 14.7 points per game, also averaging 2.9 rebounds per contest. Storr spent one season with St. John’s before deciding to enter the transfer portal, ultimately ending up in Madison.

The guard’s story growing up though is one of resilience, moving a handful of times in order to continue to play the sport he loves. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Storr moved from Illinois when he was 16, finally finishing his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida after multiple stops elsewhere.

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WATCH: Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr team up for the dunk of the year

WATCH: Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr team up for the dunk of the year

We might’ve just gotten Wisconsin’s play of the year and it’s only January 2.

The No. 21-ranked Badgers handled business against Iowa 83-72 tonight, improving to 10-3 on the season and 2-0 in Big Ten play.

The win came thanks in part to a late run which was ignited by a dunk we haven’t seen the likes of in a long time in Madison. It started with Chucky Hepburn leading a fast break opportunity, before he tossed the ball off the glass for Storr to come in and finish.

It felt like a Dwayne-Wade-to-LeBron-James highlight play. But instead at the Kohl Center.

Storr might have a chance to top this highlight sometime later in the season. But right now, this is the play of the 2023-24 season:

Storr finished with 16 points on 7/13 shooting, Tyler Wahl scored 19 on 11/13 from the free throw line and Cbucky Hepburn filled the stat sheet with four points, two steals, two assists and two rebounds.

Wisconsin is tied atop the Big Ten with Illinois and Indiana. The team’s next contest comes Saturday at home against Nebraska.

Wisconsin one of KenPom’s top teams entering conference play

Wisconsin one of KenPom’s top teams entering conference play

The Wisconsin Badgers are one of KenPom‘s top teams in the nation after a strong showing in out-of-conference play over the last few months. Greg Gard’s team sits ranked No. 14 entering 2024, also good for second in the Big Ten behind No. 2 Purdue.

KenPom has the Badgers ranked No. 36 in defensive efficiency, no surprise given the program’s history and identity. But the surprise comes on offense, where the Badgers rank No. 12 nationally.

The team’s stellar start on the offensive side of the court is thanks in part to the offseason addition of A.J. Storr, who currently leads the team in scoring. It can also be accredited to solid play from Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl, the emergence of freshman guard John Blackwell and impressive depth off the bench.

Greg Gard’s teams have started fast in the past before struggling during the conference gauntlet. If KenPom’s ranking is any indicator, this group could be different.

Badgers guard scores career-high points versus Chicago State

Badgers guard goes off for career night

The Badgers men’s basketball team defeated Chicago State 80-53 at the Kohl Center on Friday night and guard A.J. Storr scored a career-high 29 points in the contest.

Storr transferred to Wisconsin this offseason after spending his freshman season with St. John’s and he’s made an immediate impact. He was able to chip in 29 points (11-18 FG, 3-5 3pt, 4-6 FT), while also adding two rebounds and an assist in the victory.

He leads the team, averaging 15.0 points per game so far this season and Storr has now surpassed 20 points in three separate contests.

Greg Gard’s squad is sitting at 9-3 on the year and will have a significant break before they return to the court, hosting Iowa on Jan. 2.

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Wisconsin takes down Michigan State 70-57

Badgers extend their win streak to six games in a row

The Badgers men’s basketball team improved to 7-2 on the season Tuesday night, taking down Michigan State on the road 70-57 in their first Big Ten matchup of the year.

Wisconsin was able to get out to an 11-2 lead in the first 4:40 and they never trailed in the contest. For the second straight game, they never trailed from beginning to end.

In the first half, AJ Storr led the way with 12 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) while Steven Crowl was right behind him with 11 points of his own (4-8 FG, 3-3 3Pt). The Badgers went into the break up 34-23.

Although Michigan State was able to mount a comeback in the second half led by Tyson Walker’s 18 points, Wisconsin never allowed them to take the lead.

Wisconsin finished the game a perfect 14-for-14 from the free-throw line while also ending with a sizeable advantage in rebounds (36 to 22) and second-chance points, outscoring the Spartans 19-to-8 in that category.

AJ Storr finished with a game-high 22 points (8-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), also adding five rebounds, while Steven Crowl ended with 18 points (6-12 FG, 4-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and five assists.

The Badgers will take on top-ranked Arizona on the road Saturday at 2:15PM.

New Badger off to strong start to season

New addition off to histotic start

The Badgers men’s basketball team is off to a 1-2 start to the season, but their new wing AJ Storr has began his UW career with a historic run through three games.

Storr transferred to Madison this offseason after spending his freshman season with St. John’s and he’s been a great addition so far. When he scored 22 points against Providence on Tuesday night, he became the first Badger since Devin Harris in 2001-2002 to score double-digits in each of his first three games with Wisconsin.

Through three contests, he’s averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game and he’ll look to keep it up Friday night against Robert Morris.

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WATCH: The best highlights from Wisconsin basketball’s 105-76 win vs Arkansas State

WATCH: The best highlights from Wisconsin basketball’s 105-76 win vs Arkansas State

Wisconsin basketball started its season strong last night with a 105-76 win over Arkansas State.

The Badgers broke a Kohl Center record with 105 points, and finished with the 12th-highest-scoring game in program history.

The biggest story coming out of the night is the team’s depth. 12 players found the stat sheet and 10 of them played 12 minutes or more.

Chucky Hepburn led the way with 20 points, six assists and three steals, transfer guard A.J. Storr added 15 points, Max Klesmit had 14 points and true freshman John Blackwell came off the bench to tally 12 points and four rebounds.

The top-end players are there with Hepburn, Storr, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl. This team also appears to have another 8-10 players that can contribute when needed. It’s an impressive group.

Here are the best highlights from last night’s record-breaking win:

Wisconsin broke a Kohl Center record last night during win vs Arkansas State

Wisconsin broke a Kohl Center record last night during win vs Arkansas State

Wisconsin basketball began its season with a bang last night, as it defeated Arkansas State 105-76.

Chucky Hepburn led the way with 20 points, six assists and three steals, transfer guard A.J. Storr added 15 points of his own, Max Klesmit had 14 points and true freshman John Blackwell came off the bench to tally 12 points and four rebounds.

It was an all-around effort for Greg Gard’s team. It also showed the team’s depth, as 12 players found the stat sheet and 10 of them played 12 minutes or more.

The massive win was also notable because it was the 12th-highest-scoring performance in Wisconsin basketball history.

The Badgers’ 105 points are also the most in Kohl Center history (since 1998).

The Badgers are back in action with a huge game against No. 9 Tennessee on Friday.

Wisconsin basketball enters season as one of KenPom’s top teams

Wisconsin basketball enters season as one of KenPom’s top teams

Welcome to a highly-anticipated season of Wisconsin basketball.

The Badgers’ 20-15 2022-23 season was a disappointment. The program missed the NCAA Tournament for just the second time since 1998 and went just 9-11 in Big Ten play.

2023-24 has the look of a gigantic bounce-back season. The program returns all of its top contributors (Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl, Connor Essegian and others), while adding transfer guard A.J. Storr and an impressive freshman class. It’s likely Greg Gard’s deepest team since taking over as head coach. And it might be his most talented top-to-bottom.

The 2023-24 KenPom rankings agree, at least to start. The Badgers enter the season ranked No. 20 in the nation, good for the No. 4 slot in the Big Ten behind Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois.

Wisconsin begins its quest for another Big Ten title tonight when Arkansas State visits Madison.