Wisconsin sophomore center Nolan Winter logged his first career double-double in the Badgers’ win over UCF on Friday.
After senior center Steven Crowl accumulated three fouls early in the first half, Winter stepped up in a big way. The second-year Badger logged 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 1-of-2 from the three-point line. The big man also corralled a game-best 10 rebounds in the 86-70 win.
Despite scoring 15 points in his first game of the 2024-25 slate, this was easily Winter’s best performance of the season thus far. He fit seamlessly into Greg Gard’s overall scheme and absolutely dominated in the interior.
In 29 minutes of action, Winter was also responsible for five offensive rebounds. Those boards created opportunities for more points in the painted area, a category in which Wisconsin outclassed UCF.
First career double-double đ„đ„
13 PTS (5-8 FG, 1-2 3FG) / 10 REB#OnWisconsin x @NolanWinter5 pic.twitter.com/QzuGDwqy7I
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) November 23, 2024
On the season, Winter is averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just under 20 minutes per game. His size as UW’s starting forward makes the Badgers’ front court all the more formidable to defend.
With wing John Tonje and guard John Blackwell responsible for a bulk of Wisconsin’s offensive workload, Winter naturally receives less defensive attention in the half court.
The Badgers will be back on the floor for a matchup against Pittsburgh in their second game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off on Nov. 24.