Tag: connor essegian

Wisconsin basketball in contact with versatile transfer forward

Wisconsin basketball in contact with versatile transfer forward

Wisconsin basketball has been in contact with former South Florida forward Kasean Pryor per On3’s Jamie Shaw. 

At 6-foot-10, Pryor entered the transfer portal over a week ago as a rising senior. A myriad of schools including UConn, Arizona, Gonzaga, Illinois, USC, Michigan and Wisconsin have reached out to Pryor since he made his decision to transfer. 

Related: Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets

That number of programs is now up to 25, according to Shaw.

The Chicago, Illinois native has displayed gradual improvement since his freshman and sophomore campaigns at Boise State. 

After reaching the hardwood a combined 13 times in his first two seasons in Idaho, Pyror transferred to Northwest Florida State and averaged 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 35 appearances for the Raiders in 2022-2023.  He also shot a respectable 46.2% from the field, 35.2% outside and 79.9% from the charity stripe in 28.1 minutes per game. Pryor elected to transfer to South Florida following his third collegiate year 

His 13.0-point, 7.9-rebound marks this past season vaulted him into the No. 47 small forward spot on 247sports transfer rankings. 

With the departures of AJ Storr, Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Conor Essegian, Wisconsin is certainly in need of a boost in size and versatility. Pryor’s length and veteran savvy could provide a spark for Gard’s squad entering his 10th year manning the sidelines.

Pryor is yet to make any transfer decision.

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Former Wisconsin Badgers guard visits a third Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin Badgers guard visits a third Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian visited Big Ten rival Nebraska on Thursday, according to On3’s Robin Washut.

The sharpshooter has visited South Carolina, plus Big Ten rivals Maryland, Indiana and now Nebraska.

Related: An updated look at Wisconsin basketball’s 2024-25 roster after Chucky Hepburn’s departure

Essegian seems to have found solid footing since entering the transfer portal after Wisconsin’s 2023-24 season came to a close. The season was a struggle for the sophomore, with his numbers dropping to just 7.3 minutes and 3.2 points per game.

But schools see the potential from his freshman campaign which included per-game averages of 27.4 minutes and 11.7 points.

The former Badger is considering a Nebraska program that made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014 this past season. Head coach Fred Hoiberg has the Cornhuskers headed in the right direction, and is now looking to take the next step into contention.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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LOOK: Former Wisconsin basketball guard visits a Big Ten rival

LOOK: Former Wisconsin basketball guard visits a Big Ten rival

Former Wisconsin basketball guard Connor Essegian took a visit to Big Ten rival Maryland, according to On3’s Joe Tipton.

Essegian departed after two years with the Badgers. The young guard had a fantastic freshman season in 2022-23 before losing much of his playing time in 2023-24. He averaged just 7.3 minutes and 3.2 points per game in 2023-24, down from 27.4 and 11.7, respectively, in 2022-23.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets

He entered the portal last month after Wisconsin’s season came to a close with an NCAA Tournament loss to James Madison. The move was a bit of a surprise after a recent report indicated he might stick around. But it is not a surprise given his slide down the depth chart and outlook with the program.

Essegian was a fan-favorite in Madison — enough so that some fans were calling for him to play more down the stretch of the season. But those fans should recognize the grass is likely greener for him elsewhere given Wisconsin’s influx of backcourt talent.

With interest already reported between Essegian and Michigan, there appears to be more Big Ten teams in the mix.

 

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Report: Michigan basketball targeting Wisconsin transfer

Go get ’em, Dusty! #GoBlue

It’s not taking long for new Michigan basketball head coach Dusty May to get to work.

The Wolverines officially introduced May on Tuesday and on Wednesday, the maize and blue reportedly have mutual interest with a high-profile target in the transfer portal, and one from in the conference at that.

Earlier this week, Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian was announced to be entering the transfer portal, and though his 2023-24 wasn’t nearly as productive as his 2022-23 was, he’s quickly becoming a hot commodity. Given that Michigan’s roster has been decimated by the transfer portal, it’s good news that May and Essegian are now in contact, per The Michigan Insider’s Davis Moseley.

Essegian is rated a four-star according to the 247Sports transfer portal rankings as the No. 70 overall player available. He averaged 7.3 minutes in 33 games played and 3.2 points per game in 2023-24. However, in 2022-23, Essegian averaged 27.4 minutes in 35 games and scored an average of 11.7 points per game and 3.7 rebounds.

Mutual interest reported between former Wisconsin G Connor Essegian and a Big Ten rival

There is mutual interest between former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and Michigan, according to a report from 247Sports.

There is mutual interest between former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and Michigan, according to a report from 247Sports’ Davis Moseley.

The young guard entered the transfer portal on Sunday after a quiet second season with the Badgers. He averaged 3.2 points and 7.3 minutes per game in 2023-24, down from 11.7 points and 27.4 minutes per game as a freshman in 2022-23.

Related: If Wisconsin decides to move on from Greg Gard, who could it target as its next head coach?

Essegian transferring isn’t entirely surprising. It would have been tough for him to crack Wisconsin’s guard rotation in 2024-25 with Chucky Hepburn, John Blackwell, Max Klesmit and A.J. Storr set to return.

A potential transfer to Michigan would certainly be an interesting twist in Essegian’s relationship with the Wisconsin faithful. He remains a fan favorite even with the decision to transfer, though landing at Michigan could change things.

The Wolverines are working to rebuild their program after firing Juwan Howard following an 8-24 season. Former Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May was recently hired and appears to already be at work in the portal.

For more on Wisconsin’s roster and transfer portal activity, check out Badgers Wire’s ongoing 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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BREAKING: Fan-favorite Wisconsin Badgers guard enters transfer portal

BREAKING: Fan-favorite Wisconsin Badgers guard enters transfer portal

The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team’s season ended Friday night versus James Madison in the first round of March Madness, and guard Connor Essegian announced on Sunday that he will enter the transfer portal.

Essegian had an impressive freshman campaign in 2022-2023, averaging 11.7 points per game while hitting a freshman-record 69 3-pointers. However, playing time was hard to find for him this year.

Related: If Wisconsin decides to move on from Greg Gard, who could it target as its next head coach?

The 6-foot-4 guard saw his average minutes drop from 27.4 to 7.3 minutes per game in 2023-2024. He averaged just 3.2 points per game. The emergence of transfer wing AJ Storr, plus Essegian’s shortcomings defensively were the driving factors in the stark change in usage.

The news came as a shock to Badgers fans. Essegian said 10 days ago he would return to Wisconsin.

A fan favorite in Madison, Essegian will likely look for an opportunity that provides him with a more direct path to meaningful minutes during his junior season.

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WATCH: Wisconsin basketball recreates San Francisco 49ers’ boombox walk-in

WATCH: Wisconsin basketball recreates San Francisco 49ers’ boom box walk-in

Wisconsin basketball arrived to its NCAA Tournament round of 64 matchup with No. 12 seed James Madison in style earlier tonight.

The team somewhat recreated the San Francisco 49ers’ famous walk-in with a boombox blaring music. Assistant equipment manager Robert Lloyd carries the boombox for the 49ers as they enter the field. For Wisconsin, it’s sophomore guard Connor Essegian.

Related: Social media relitigates Zach Edey’s whistle from Wisconsin’s upset win over Purdue

The Badgers and James Madison Dukes are set for a 9:40 p.m. Eastern tipoff at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Wisconsin will need to start fast to avoid the fates of Kentucky, Auburn, BYU and other top seeds that were upset. Badgers fans likely hope the entrance can have something to do about that:

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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WATCH: Wisconsin G Connor Essegian predicted dramatic overtime win over Purdue

Connor Essegian had a crystal ball:

Wisconsin basketball’s 75-74 overtime win over Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal was one of the program’s best wins in years.

For me, it’s the Badgers’ best victory since Chucky Hepburn’s banked-in buzzer-beater to beat Purdue and clinch the Big Ten title at the end of the 2021-22 regular season.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

The performance had everything. It had questionable foul calls on and against Purdue star big man Zach Edey, a dramatic overtime-forcing buzzer beater from Hepburn and a classic back-and-forth finish with Max Klesmit’s basket with five seconds remaining proving to be the difference.

The Big Ten Network cameras were predictably right there for all of the action. As released on X Wednesday afternoon, the cameras actually caught Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian saying “this is gonna be iconic” right before Hepburn’s basket and the ensuing heroics.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Report: Wisconsin G Connor Essegian reveals transfer decision

Report: Wisconsin G Connor Essegian reveals transfer decision

Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian said he does not plan to enter the transfer portal after the Badgers season finishes, instead opting to return to Madison for his junior season, according to a report from Rivals’ BadgerBlitz.

The report dropped on the eve of Wisconsin’s first Big Ten Tournament matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. Greg Gard’s team has two guaranteed games remaining — many more if the team can stack wins. After that, roster turnover will begin for teams across the sport.

Related: Wisconsin social media all-in after Badgers big win over Northwestern

Essegian explains his decision to BadgerBlitz after he saw his playing time and production plummet from his breakout freshman season.

2022-23 averages: 27.4 minutes, 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals, 40% shooting, 36% 3-point shooting

2023-24 averages: 7.4 minutes, 3.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.1 steals, 37% shooting, 29% 3-point shooting

Part of the discrepancy is due to the Badgers’ rotation growing stronger with the addition of transfer guard A.J. Storr and the breakout of freshman John Blackwell. Another part is due to struggles on the defensive end, struggles head coach Greg Gard has clearly discussed.

Essegian’s return is good news for the Badgers as the current age of college athletics sees players transfer to where playing time is available. Wisconsin is a program built on development and a four-year career, so it’s promising to see a young player still believe in that path.

Related: Wisconsin social media joyous after dominant Big Ten tournament win over Maryland

Wisconsin figures to be active in the transfer portal this offseason as the program continues to work to make its first Sweet 16 since 2016-17. Keeping the existing roster in place will need to be Gard’s first order of business once the transfer period begins.

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Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

WATCH: Highlights from Wisconsin basketball’s 75-60 win over Jacksonville State

Highlights from Wisconsin basketball’s 75-60 win over Jacksonville State

Wisconsin basketball took care of business last night in a 75-60 win over Jacksonville State. Needing a bounce-back from a historic loss to No. 1 Arizona and a tune-up before Big Ten play ramps up in the new year, Greg Gard’s team never trailed en route to the 15-point victory.

Steven Crowl led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, Tyler Wahl added 16 points and seven rebounds and A.J. Storr had another good shooting night with 13 points on 4/8 from the floor and 5/5 from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, the other big story was the lack of playing time for Connor Essegian. The sophomore guard finally entered the game in the second half, but quickly was taken out after getting beat but a backdoor cut. Gard said after the game “Until they shove the dirt on me, I’ll keep coaching you and he knows I’m not gonna let up in terms of what I expect defensively.”

That is a situation worth monitoring as the season continues. It’s safe to say this Badger team has enough depth to get by without the shooting prowess of Essegian if that also comes with lackluster defense.

Anyway, here are the highlights from last night’s 75-60 win: