The Wisconsin basketball program posted a lengthy conversation with coach Greg Gard on X earlier this month. The video includes an exclusive look at the Badgers’ upcoming 2024-25 campaign, combined with Gard’s thoughts on expectations and excitement for the group.
“As I look at the new lineup now, I’m excited about…” Gard said. “We bring in three experienced players and a fourth who plays at a very, very high level… Individually, on paper, they look very talented. We are big. We are deep. The pieces are here to make a very, very good team.”
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The Wisconsin coach went on to explain the reality of the current era of college basketball. The starting lineup will no longer be made up of four-year players who tangibly improve each season. Now, lineups are more of an annual situation.
The Badgers’ 2024 offseason perfectly embodies this dynamic. The program lost stars Chucky Hepburn (Gateway, Louisville) and AJ Storr (Gateway, Kansas), as well as fifth-year senior Tyler Wahl (graduation) and depth pieces Connor Essegian (Gateway, Nebraska) and Gus Yalden (Gateway, Seton Hall ). Gard’s answer: commitments from experienced transfers John Tonje, Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos. That trio, paired with a freshman class led by top point guard Daniel Freitag, and several returning contributors including Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl and John Blackwell, have high expectations for next season.
Gard’s preview focused on these new transfers and what he and his team are now required to do to compete in the modern college basketball landscape.
Excitement for the season is growing, with the tip now nearly four months away.
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