Tag: uw basketball

Sights and sounds from Wisconsin Badgers at 2024 Big Ten Basketball media days

Sights and sounds from Wisconsin Badgers at 2024 Big Ten Basketball media days

Wisconsin basketball was well represented at the 2024 Big Ten Basketball media days on Thursday, Oct. 3.

Head coach Greg Gard, sophomore guard John Blackwell, senior center Steven Crowl and senior guard Max Klesmit made the trek to Chicago, Illinois to represent the Badgers this week.

The group participated in several hits for Big Ten Network, spanning from short social media videos to entertain badger faithful and panel discussions about the team this coming season.

While Blackwell, Gard and Klesmit were present at the Big Ten Network studio set, Blackwell fielded a question about Klesmit being the top trash talker on the 2024 team.

Here’s what he and Gard had to say:

UW’s representatives also participated in individual interviews and photo ops during their time in Chicago.

Before the media day appearance, Wisconsin was ranked No. 12 alongside   Nebraska by the Big Ten media on Wednesday. Given the departures of guard Chucky Hepburn, wing AJ Storr and veteran Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin finds itself in its typical preseason position: underrated.

The Badgers will kick-start its loaded 2024-25 schedule with an exhibition game against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30 and look to build off its 22-14 output and first-round loss in the 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament a season ago.

LOOK: Wisconsin basketball full 2024-25 Big Ten conference schedule

LOOK: Wisconsin basketball full 2024-25 Big Ten conference schedule

Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program released its 2024-25 Big Ten conference schedule on Thursday.

A total of 10 Big Ten squads, which features conference newcomers Oregon and Washington, will visit the Kohl Center this season.

Greg Gard’s crew will welcome the Michigan Wolverines for its conference opener on Dec. 3, roughly a month before the Iowa Hawkeyes venture to Madison for a Jan. 3 contest.

Wisconsin will then square off against Minnesota (Jan. 10), Ohio State (Jan. 14), Nebraska (Jan. 26), Indiana (Feb. 4), Illinois (Feb. 18), Oregon (Feb. 22), Washington (Feb. 25) and Penn State (Mar. 8) to close its 2024-25 conference home game slate.

UW will play 10 conference away games this season.

The Badgers will travel to Champaign, Illinois to face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Dec. 10 and Piscataway, New Jersey, for a test against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Jan 6.

Wisconsin will then head west for a two-game trip against the USC Trojans on Jan. 18 and UCLA Bruins on Jan. 21 before flipping coasts for a game against the Maryland Terrapins in College Park on Jan. 29.

The Badgers finalize the away slate with Northwestern (Feb. 1), Iowa (Feb. 8), Purdue (Feb. 15), Michigan State (Mar. 2) and Minnesota (Mar. 5).

Here’s the program’s schedule release video from Thursday afternoon:

https://twitter.com/BadgerMBB/status/1836873380542201999

The Badgers will also play non-conference games against Holy Cross (Nov. 4), Montana State (Nov. 7), Appalachian State (Nov. 10), Arizona (Nov. 15), UT-Rio Grande Valley (Nov. 18), UCF (Nov. 22) and either LSU or Pitt (Nov. 24) before the holiday.

Chicago State (Nov. 30), Marquette (Dec. 7), Butler (Dec. 14) and Detroit Mercy (Dec. 22) are scheduled as well.

Wisconsin will kick-start its loaded 2024-25 schedule with an exhibition game against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30.

Wisconsin women’s basketball lands class of 2025 forward from Spain

Wisconsin women’s basketball lands class of 2025 forward from Spain

Wisconsin’s women’s basketball program landed class of 2025 forward Ines GarcĂ­a Monje on Monday.

Marisa Moseley and her staff continue diversifying their roster with another overseas acquisition. The Badgers recently received commitments from Spanish guard Alba MartĂ­n Mesa and Serbian wing Jovana Spasovski to join their program for the 2024-25 slate.

While GarcĂ­a Monje won’t join UW until the 2025-26 season, the commitment is certainly notable. This summer, she represented Spain at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico and averaged 10 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in seven games.

In the team’s final bout, she scored a game-best 15 points and 10 boards to propel Spain to a third-place finish behind the United States and France. She pocketed second-team nods for her all-around efforts on the hardwood.

GarcĂ­a Monje is listed at 6’2” and epitomizes what a modern international player can bring to the table. With fellow Spaniard Alba MartĂ­n Mesa on the platoon this coming season, she will arrive in Madison with an ability to contribute immediately.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_-xoSCtsOT/?img_index=1

The Badgers begin their 2024 season with an exhibition against UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 29 at the Kohl Center. The crew will look to secure its second straight playoff berth following its WNIT quarterfinals finish in 2023.

WATCH: Wisconsin basketball true freshman point guard flashes athleticism

WATCH: Wisconsin basketball true freshman point guard flashes bounce

Wisconsin basketball true freshman point guard Daniel Freitag showcased his athleticism in a short clip on Wednesday.

Despite being listed at 6’2”, Freitag got well above the rim to throw down a left-handed windmill after receiving a pass off the backboard. Not bad for someone who began his first day of classes at UW just a week ago.

Freitag was unquestionably Wisconsin’s most prolific recruit of the class of 2024. As one of five finalists for 2024 Minnesota Mr. Basketball, the newcomer captained Breck High School to a 31-1 record and a Class 2A state championship while averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2.5 steals per appearance as a senior.

The output also earned him state tournament first team, Elite 8 Player of the Year and all-metro first-team nods. Before his stint at Breck, Freitag became Jefferson High School’s all-time leading scorer in just three seasons. To put it simply, he can hoop.

247Sports considered Freitag the No. 117 overall recruit, No. 12 point guard and No. 3 recruit from Minnesota in the class of 2024. He will join guards Camren Hunter, Kamari McGee, John Tonje, Max Klesmit and John Blackwell as rotational members of the backcourt this season.

Wisconsin opens its 2024 campaign with an exhibition against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30 before its first regular season game against Holy Cross on Nov. 4 at the Kohl Center.

BREAKING: Wisconsin basketball top-ranked 2025 SG target commits to Alabama

BREAKING: Wisconsin basketball top-ranked 2025 SG target commits to Alabama

Wisconsin basketball target Amari Allen announced his commitment to Alabama on Tuesday via social media.

The top-ranked class of 2025 shooting guard was slated to visit UW this weekend when the Badgers squared off against No. 4 Alabama on the gridiron. Instead, he opted to join college basketball’s third-ranked team from a season ago.

In July, the highly coveted 6-foot-7, 180-pound wing listed Wisconsin as one of his six finalist. The others were Alabama, Minnesota, UCF, Mississippi and Nevada. He was also scheduled to visit UCF the weekend of Sept. 28.

To make matters even more heartbreaking for Badgers fans, Allen announced his decision to transfer to in-state Ashwaubenon High School from Florida’s IMG Academy for his senior hoops campaign on Aug. 18. He played his first few years of high school ball at Kaukauna High School in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, before venturing to Florida.

The rising senior ranks as 247Sports’ No. 98 player in the class of 2025, No. 18 small forward and No. 4 recruit from the state of Wisconsin. On3, Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports all consider the prospect a four-star recruit.

https://twitter.com/2amariii/status/1833536163745042895

While certainly disappointing, Wisconsin can shift all of its resources to landing a commitment from ESPN’s No. 22 player of the class of 2025 Davion Hannah. Hannah is still scheduled to visit during Saturday’s football game against the Crimson Tide.

Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks within the top 10 nationally with commitments from two in-state prospects: four-star shooting guard Zach Kinziger and three-star center Will Garlock.

Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger moves in latest ESPN100 for class of 2025

Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger moves in latest ESPN100 for class of 2025

Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger is now ranked No. 68 in the latest ESPN100 ranking for the class of 2025.

Two months ago, Kinziger was ranked No. 67 in the midst of a hectic summer with De Pere High School and Team Herro in the AAU circuit.

The De Pere, Wisconsin native is considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN. 247Sports ranks the 6’3,” 175-pound shooting guard as the No. 128 overall player in the class of 2025, No. 24 shooting guard and No. 4 prospect from Wisconsin.

While Kinziger and three-star center Will Garlock are Wisconsin’s lone commitments in the class at the moment, four other in-state class of 2025 prospects were included in ESPN Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi’s latest hierarchy.

That list includes four-star center Kai Rogers (undecided), four-star forward Xzavion Mitchell (Iowa State), four-star shooting guard Jamarion Batemon (Iowa State) and four-star combo guard Davion Hannah (undecided).

While Kinziger has already offered his pledge to join Greg Gard’s program, both Hannah and Rogers could eventually end up in Madison. On3’s recruiting prediction machine awarded UW a 15.3% chance to land Rogers and a 22.8% chance to secure a commitment from Hannah, ESPN’s No. 22 prospect for the class.

Wisconsin basketball transfer guard fully cleared for 2024 season

Wisconsin basketball transfer guard fully cleared for 2024 season

Wisconsin basketball transfer guard Camren Hunter has been fully cleared for the upcoming 2024 season, per a report from CBS insider Jon Rothstein.

Hunter, who sat out for the entire 2023-24 campaign due to a foot injury, transferred from Central Arkansas to Wisconsin in April.

When the former Atlantic Sun Conference guard plays, he makes an immediate impact. Prior to his injury, Hunter averaged 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals as a sophomore in 2022-23. He nailed 50 3-point field goals off a team-high 33.9 minutes per game.

A year prior, the Bryant, Arkansas native was responsible for 14.1 points, 4.9 boards, 3.4 dimes and 1.5 swipes per appearance. The output netted him 2022 ASUN Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the 2022 First-Team All-ASUN.

With Hunter now in the mix, the Badgers have several options at point guard for their 2024 campaign.

Four-star true freshman PG Daniel Freitag looks like he could be a mainstay in Greg Gard’s rotation, but Hunter will certainly see ample playing time given his proven success at the collegiate level.

Wisconsin also added guard John Tonje and power forward Xavier Amos in the portal this offseason. While Amos will do his damage down low, Tonje will also slide into the backcourt with the departure of former fan-favorite Chucky Hepburn to Louisville.

The Badgers begin the 2024 slate with an exhibition against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30 at the Kohl Center.

Former Wisconsin basketball international signee signs with Oklahoma State

Former Wisconsin basketball Serbian signee signs with Oklahoma State

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball signee Andrija Vuković signed with Oklahoma State on Sunday, per a report from DraftExpress.com’s Jon Chepkevich.

Vuković initially signed with the Badgers on June 10 after a stint with KK Vršac of the Basketball League of Serbia. With the club, the 6-foot-11 big man averaged 13 minutes, 6.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists on a 66% clip from the floor.

Prior to that stop, he suited up in the Eastern European Junior ABA League with Crvena Zvezda’s U-19 squad. In a more expansive role, Vuković tallied 17 points, 7.5 rebounds off a 65% shooting mark.

Vuković initially figured to join Wisconsin’s front-court rotation behind starter Steven Crowl and primary backup Nolan Winter. It became clear he would not be joining the program when the Badgers added Italian center Riccardo Greppi.

All reports indicated Vukovic was unable to join the Badgers due to “paperwork issues.”

With experience on the Italian national team in the 2022 and 2023 U18 European Championships, Greppi can certainly fill the depth position behind Crowl and Winter.

The Badgers begin their season with an exhibition match against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30 at the Kohl Center. UW went 22-14 a season ago and dropped its opening-round game to No. 12 James Madison in the 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

Wisconsin men’s basketball releases 2024 non-conference schedule

Wisconsin men’s basketball releases 2024 non-conference schedule

The Wisconsin Badgers’ men’s basketball program released its 2024 non-conference schedule on Thursday.

Greg Gard’s group will open the season against Holy Cross on Nov. 4 at the Kohl Center. The Badgers will follow their first regular season match with four consecutive non-conference home contests in Madison.

Montana State (Nov. 7), Appalachian State (Nov. 10), Arizona (Nov. 15) and UT-Rio Grande Valley (Nov. 18) will each venture to Wisconsin in the opening month of the 2024 season.

The first-ever Greenbrier Tip-Off follows the local action shortly thereafter. Wisconsin will face UCF and either LSU or Pittsburgh on Nov. 22 and Nov. 24, respectively.

A quick Kohl Center tune-up vs. Chicago State on Nov. 30 follows before UW makes its way to Milwaukee for its annual I-94 rivalry game against Marquette on Dec. 7.

The final roadblock arrives during the recently announced Dec. 14 match against Butler at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of the Indiana Pacers. The Detroit Mercy Titans will also play Wisconsin at home on Dec. 22.

On top of the non-conference campaign, which figures to be one of the more challenging slates across the college basketball landscape, Wisconsin will also face a bevy on conference opponents in Madison and across the country.

UW will host 10 Big Ten opponents this season and travel to Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Rutgers and USC for road conference games.

Prior to the chaos, Wisconsin will play host to UW-River Falls in an exhibition on Oct. 30 at home.

Former Wisconsin basketball great announces return to UW-Madison

Former Wisconsin basketball great announces return to UW-Madison

Former Wisconsin basketball great Sam Dekker announced via X on Monday that he has returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to finish his degree.

Dekker, one of the program’s most decorated alumni, departed the university in 2015 after three years on the hardwood to pursue NBA aspirations. By doing so a year early, he left campus without a degree.

After being selected with the No. 18 pick of the 2015 NBA draft, the Wisconsin native played 201 games across five NBA seasons for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors from 2015-22.

Stints overseas with the VTB United League in Russia (2019-2020) and the Turkish Basketball Super League in Turkey (2020-2021, 2021-2022) followed.

The 6-foot-9 forward stars for the British Basketball League’s London Lions. As its offensive engine, Dekker helped the Lions capture the 2023 British Basketball League Cup championship and pocketed both league and finals MVP honors in the process. He registered 18.2 points, 5.6 rebounds off 53% clip from the field in nearly 21 minutes per appearance across the pond in ’23.

Nonetheless, Dekker’s NBA endeavors have yet to fade. This summer, the 2015 All-Big Ten second-team selection tried out for the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.

With a portfolio of postseason success at Wisconsin and professional exposure thousands of miles away, Dekker can provide a veteran spark plug presence in an NBA locker room next season. However, with responsibilities in the classroom, the NBA could serve as a distraction from future homework assignments.

Now at age 30, Dekker plans to wrap up his education at one of the United States’ most recognized public universities.