The Wisconsin Badgers have begun to ramp up preparations ahead of the upcoming school year with a series of open practices.
Before the Badgers go dark until the season begins, the team typically conducts open practices for the media to showcase the roster. Wisconsin has undergone a serious facelift after losing the majority of the roster to the transfer portal or graduation, experiencing the same pains many programs have faced. Many new faces have been added to the roster and now much of the team consists of players who have never been on the court together.
Adapting to the new state of college basketball is difficult, but coach Greg Gard has already experienced what it takes to pull together a roster of potential unknowns after utilizing the portal greatly last season. Wisconsin has stayed committed to recruiting high school talent moving forward, however, and one such member of the new class on campus has already proved to the Badgers that continuing to hunt for high school talent is an intelligent decision.
Wisconsin Badgers Forward Will Garlock Shines, Showcases Athleticism During Open Practice
During the first open practice of the summer for the Wisconsin Badgers, true freshman Will Garlock impressed the staff and media members alike with his athleticism on the court. While some fans wished the Badgers went after a physical big-man in the portal, the staff has remained enthralled by what an athletic, stretch style big can do for the offense.
Austin Rapp was acquired in the transfer portal as the replacement for Steven Crowl in the starting lineup this upcoming season. Rapp should be a great fit for the Badgers, and will also provide a more loose, athletic look at the position. Coming off the bench to provide relief for Rapp will be Garlock, who can serve a similar yet more physical role.
On the court, Garlock mirrors the play-style of Rapp in many ways but where the two differ is on where the majority of shooting will occur. Rapp shot roughly 80% of his attempts from beyond the three-point arc a season ago and while a capable inside scorer, Rapp often opts to find open space rather than attacking the rim.
Garlock, however, is shifty with the basketball and has an array of moves that can take the forward from the top of the key to the rim in a moments notice. The forward is not afraid to take a possession to the rim himself, but also does some of his best work when attacking the rim off of a roll play.
Garlock is also much more than a scorer on offense, which he has showcased early on with the Badgers in practice as well. The forward is an intelligent passer and a crafty playmaker who can thread passes through very tight windows in a manner that is beyond how forwards usually pass.
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