Tag: Wisconsin Men’s Basketball

Wisconsin basketball alumnus Greg Stiemsma joins Badgers’ coaching staff

Wisconsin basketball alumnus Greg Stiemsma joins Badgers’ staff

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball player Greg Stiemsma was named the Badgers’ new director of player development on Wednesday.

Stiemsma, a member of Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program from 2004-2008, rejoins the Badgers after a successful player development tenure in the NBA.

Beginning in 2021, the Randolph, Wisconsin native worked with the San Antonio Spurs as a video assistant, player development staffer and member of the Spurs’ 2022 NBA Summer League coaching staff. Prior to that point, Stiemsma worked in player development for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2019-21.

Aside from coaching, Stiemsma enjoyed a successful four-year collegiate tenure on the hardwood in Madison. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound center appeared in 95 games, four NCAA tournaments and helped UW win the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles in 2008.

Stiemsma played in 203 games across four seasons in the NBA from 2011-15 with Boston, Minnesota, New Orleans and Toronto. He also played professional basketball in Turkey and Korea prior to his stint with the NBA D League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce.

With experience in developing players like Karl Anthony-Towns and Victor Wembanyama, Stiemsma should be an excellent resource for Wisconsin’s big men in the coming years. Nolan Winter, Will Garlock and veteran center Steven Crowl are among the names who can absorb a few tidbits from the former NBA player.

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

LOOK: Two former Badgers practice at 2024 USA Men’s National Team training camp

Former Wisconsin basketball stars Nigel Hayes-Davis and Micah Potter were featured in a recent video following a 2024 USA Men’s National Team practice in Las Vegas.

The clips showcased both Hayes-Davis and Potter participating in a half-court set and shooting drill following a practice at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.

Hayes-Davis and Potter participated as members of the 2024 USA Select Team, which also included Jalen Duran, Cooper Flagg, Langston Galloway, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jaime Jaquez, Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy, Keegan Murray, Brandin Podziemski, Payton Pritchard, Jabari Smith, Jalen Suggs and Amen Thompson.

Despite being named to the squad last month, neither player saw the court during scrimmages over the four-day practice period. Hayes-Davis and Potter did, however, consistently stay in the gymnasium following each practice window to shoot extra or walk through a half court set.

The former Badgers did appear in garbage time of Wednesday’s exhibition scrimmage for the 2024 USA Men.

Hayes-Davis, an Ohio native, recently captured the 2024 Turkish League Championship with Fenerbahçe Beko after dropping a Turkish Airlines Euroleague record 50 points earlier in the 2024 season. Prior to action overseas, he made NBA stops in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Toronto.

As a Badger, the small forward was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) and first-team All-Big Ten (2016) during his four seasons in Madison.

Potter, meanwhile, represents the Salt Lake Stars in the NBA G League. The Mentor, Ohio product totaled 11.6 points and 6.1 boards per game for UW from 2019-21.

Wisconsin football and basketball combine for top-10 win percentage since 2014

Wisconsin football and basketball combine for top-10 win percentage since 2014

Wisconsin’s football and men’s basketball programs have combined for the ninth-best combined winning percentage in the nation since 2014-15, per College Basketball Report.

With an overall win percentage of .684%, the Badgers land behind only Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Boise State, San Diego State, Houston and Michigan in the top 10. Oklahoma, Georgia, Memphis, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Toledo, then, round out the rest of the top 15.

Since 2015, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program has registered six 20-plus-win seasons, clinched six NCAA Tournaments births and notched two Big Ten regular season titles in 2020 and 2022. The Badgers reached the Sweet Sixteen in both 2016 and 2017 as well.

After taking over for legendary head coach Bo Ryan, Greg Gard has guided UW to an overall mark of 186-107 and five of the top 19 winningest seasons in Wisconsin history,

Like its hardwood team, the Badgers’ football program has experienced its fair share of success during the College Football Playoff era. Wisconsin captured four Big Ten West division championships during its existence, including in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

The Badgers have appeared in nine straight bowl games on the gridiron, including a Rose Bowl appearance in 2019. The program has now amassed 22 straight winning seasons. It will look to continue that success in 2024 in the second season under head coach Luke Fickell.

Wisconsin basketball lands among KenPom’s top 12 programs since 2015

Wisconsin basketball lands among KenPom’s top 12 programs since 2015

Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program has personified consistency in college hoops. Its average KenPom finish of 29.8 ranks No. 12 in the nation, behind prestigious programs including Gonzaga, Kansas, Duke, Purdue, Villanova, North Carolina and Michigan State.

Following the departure of infamous Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan in 2015, former assistant coach Greg Gard ignited his tenure as UW’s leader on the sidelines.

Since then, Gard has captained the Badgers to six 20-plus-win seasons in eight years and two Big Ten regular season titles in 2020 and 2022. Wisconsin has clinched six NCAA Tournaments births and reached the Sweet Sixteen in both 2016 and 2017.

Under Gard, UW has amassed an overall mark of 186-107, plus five of the top 19 winningest seasons in program history.

Wisconsin has also witnessed three of its athletes earn prestigious conference honors during their tenure.

Future Euroleage superstar Nigel Hayes earned a first-team All-Big Ten nod in 2016 before big man Ethan Happ received first-team All-Big Ten nods in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Future Washington Wizard Johnny Davis was a consensus All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten in 2022.

Despite the headlines and hubbub, deep postseason success has yet to follow UW’s 2017 finish in the Big Dance. The program has not reached the Sweet Sixteen since Gard’s second season as head coach and failed to make the NCAA Tournament entirely in 2018 and 2023.

With the addition of three top transfers, Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos, ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, Wisconsin will look to right the ship and return to its place alongside college basketball’s best.

Wisconsin basketball misses final schools for top-100 class of 2025 power forward

Wisconsin basketball misses final schools for top-100 class of 2025 power forward

Wisconsin basketball did not make the final five schools for top-ranked 2025 power forward Trent Sisley on Friday.

The 6-foot-7, 205-pounder included Iowa, Indiana, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Purdue in his top five. Wisconsin extended its offer back in May 2023, per Rivals.

247Sports ranks the Lincoln City, Indiana product as the No. 73 overall recruit, No. 19 power forward and No. 4 prospect from his home state of Indiana for the class of 2025.

A rising senior at Heritage Hills High School, Sisley is considered a four-star across all major recruiting platforms. His first batch of offers arrived during his freshman year, and a majority of them trickled in from programs scattered throughout the Midwest.

UCF, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Louisville, Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin rounded out his extensive list of offers. Of his seven Big Ten opportunities, only Wisconsin and Ohio State failed to make the top five.

Wisconsin’s current class of 2025 ranks No. 6 in the nation with two commitments thus far: four-star shooting guard Zach Kinziger and three-star center Will Garlock.

Wisconsin basketball to play in-state rival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Dec. 7

Wisconsin basketball to play in-state rival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Dec. 7

The Wisconsin Badgers will square off against the in-state rival Marquette Golden Eagles for their annual I-94 rivalry on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The two Wisconsin powerhouses will face off for the 131st time this winter following a 75-64 Badger victory in 2023 at the Kohl Center. UW boasts a 71-59 edge in the series, and UW has played the Golden Eagles in every season since 1958.

Like UW, Marquette’s roster will appear much differently this fall. Stars Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodara are slated to make the jump to the NBA while Wisconsin’s fav-favorite point guard Chucky Hepburn (transfer), star guard A.J. Storr (transfer) and veteran Tyler Wahl (graduation) departed Madison this spring.

Greg Gard and company also added three top transfers: Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos.

Serbian signee Andrija Vukovic, point guard Daniel Freitag and guard Jack Robison will also don the scarlet and red as freshmen during the 2024-25 season. Freitag, a top-ranked class of 2024 prospect, will look to ignite UW’s backcourt in a now-loaded 18-team conference.

The Badgers will also participate in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event featuring LSU, Pittsburgh and UCF, face Butler in a neutral site contest and reportedly open with this season with Holy Cross at home.

Report: Wisconsin basketball to play Holy Cross in 2024-25 season opener

Report: Wisconsin basketball to play Holy Cross in 2024-25 season opener

The Wisconsin Badgers will reportedly host the Holy Cross Crusaders for their 2024-25 season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Kohl Center, according to college basketball analyst Rocco Miller.

UW’s compiled a 22-14 overall mark in 2023-24 after being ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation in February. Wisconsin would ultimately earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 12 James Madison in the first round.

Since that point, Greg Gard’s program experienced a seismic shift in personnel.

Wisconsin reworked its roster this offseason with the addition of three top transfers: Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos. Those three players will fill the voids left by the departures of star point guard Chucky Hepburn (transfer), A.J. Storr (transfer) and Tyler Wahl (graduation).

Serbian signee Andrija Vukovic, point guard Daniel Freitag and guard Jack Robison will also don the scarlet and red as freshmen during the 2024-25 season. Freitag, a top-ranked class of 2024 prospect, will look to ignite UW’s backcourt in a now-loaded 18-team conference.

The Badgers will also host 10 Big Ten opponents this season, including new conference foes Washington and Oregon. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Penn State also will venture to Madison, Wisconsin for contests in the Kohl Center.

Most notably, Greg Gard and company will travel to Los Angeles for bouts against UCLA and USC, the other two Big Ten additions for the 2024-2025 campaign. Wisconsin also will visit Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue and Rutgers.

The Badgers will also participate in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event featuring LSU, Pittsburgh and UCF, and will face Butler in a neutral site contest this season.

Wisconsin basketball class of 2024 signees Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison arrive in Madison

Wisconsin basketball class of 2024 signees Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison arrive in Madison

Following a hectic spring transfer window and overall offseason, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball team is poised for a reboot this fall.

The program experienced its fair share of movement since the end of the 2023-24 season.

Star forward AJ Storr, fan-favorite point guard Chucky Hepburn and streaky shooter Connor Essegian transferred elsewhere while veteran forward Tyler Wahl graduated after five seasons representing UW.

While the departures appear notable, Greg Gard and company will welcome six new faces to the Kohl Center for Wisconsin’s 2024-25 campaign.

Power forward Xavier Amos, point guard Camren Hunter and guard John Tonje rounded out the Badgers’ transfer portal acquisitions while Serbian signee Andrija Vukovic, point guard Daniel Freitag and guard Jack Robison, will don the scarlet and red as freshmen during the 2024-25 season.

Two of the three first-year contributors, Freitag and Robison, arrived in Madison to begin their collegiate journeys this week.

Freitag, a 247Sports’ No. 104 player in class of 2024, No. 11 point guard and No. 3 recruit from his home state of Minnesota, will likely fill the void left by Hepburn following his transfer to Louisville.

As one of 2024’s most coveted prospects, Freitag can make an immediate impact for Gard’s platoon this season and beyond.

Robison, another Minnesota native, was 247Sports’ No. 145 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, the No. 34 SF in the country, and the No. 3 player in Minnesota when he committed to UW.

The 6-foot-6, 175-pound wing is a left-handed three-level scorer who is especially dangerous from the perimeter. He figures to contribute to UW’s bench unit as a freshman with potential to become a mainstay on the outside.

Although both Freitag and Robison have established strong links to Wisconsin’s staff after the signing process, the two officially begin their tenure as Badgers this summer.

Wisconsin basketball top in-state 2025 target cracks Rivals’ top-30 ranking

Wisconsin basketball top in-state 2025 target cracks Rivals’ top-30 ranking

Wisconsin basketball class of 2025 in-state target small forward Davion Hannah moved up to No. 29 in Rivals’ updated national rankings on Wednesday.

247Sports, meanwhile, has the Nicolet High School product as the No. 1 overall recruit from Wisconsin, No. 5 combo guard and the No. 19 national recruit for the class of 2025. The 6-foot-5, 175-pound small forward is a four-star recruit across 247Sports, On3, Rivals and ESPN.

Related: Grading Wisconsin basketball’s 2024 offseason moves

Wisconsin extended an offer to Hannah back in June of 2022. Of his 16 total offers, the most notable include from Michigan State, USC, Auburn, Marquette, Oregon, Mississippi State and Arizona State.

Following Hannah’s official visit announcement, On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Crimson Tide as Hannah’s most probable landing spot. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is second in their tiers.

Wisconsin has received a pair of commitments thus far for its class of 2025 cycle. UW is one of only a few programs with more than one commitment, trailing Providence, South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Iowa State in 2025 rankings.

The Badgers landed three-star shooting guard Zach Kinziger back in August and recently received a commitment from three-star center Will Garlock.

The class of 2025 will not join the program until the 2025-26 basketball season. The Badgers just welcomed their class of 2024 onto campus, a group led by top point guard Daniel Freitag.

Former Wisconsin basketball star selected to FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Wisconsin basketball star selected to FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Wisconsin men’s basketball standout Kirk Penney will be inducted 2024 FIBA Hall of Fame Class, according to a release on Tuesday.

Now serving as a special assistant to head coach Greg Gard on the Badgers staff, Penney is slated to join eight other 2024 inductees at an enshrinement ceremony in September in Singapore.

Penney represented New Zealand at a pair of Olympic Games and four FIBA Basketball World Cups. He becomes the second New Zealand native to enter the FIBA Hall of Fame alongside 2017 inductee and infamous coach Pero Cameron.

“Being selected to the FIBA Hall of Fame is an incredible honor for me,” Penney said to uwbadgers.com. “More than anything, it is a testament to all the hard work done by a great group of people over 15 years. Traveling across the globe together representing New Zealand and battling the best. It was always the honor of a lifetime, so this Hall of Fame induction is uniquely special.

Penney was a two-time Big Ten champion at Wisconsin and the first Badger to pocket consecutive first-team All-Big Ten honors (2002-03) in over 50 years.

He also played in the NBA with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers in 2003 and 2005, respectively.