The Wisconsin basketball team has done plenty so far this off-season to develop the team in both the present and the future.
The next step for the Wisconsin Badgers will involve putting their changes into place on the court during the upcoming season. Until then, the Badgers will have to continue to work hard as their rivals are adding more players to their programs. While Wisconsin has made plenty of changes, so have the other Big Ten schools, which may put the Badgers in a difficult position during the 2023 season.
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Boasts Stronger Roster Heading Into 2023 Season
After an interesting 2022 season, the Wisconsin Badgers found themselves in a difficult position. Head coach Greg Gard was once again put on the hot seat by fans after failing to make the NCAA Tournament. Following much consideration, the Badgers accepted an NIT bid and grew during the tournament due to their performances.
The 2023 Wisconsin basketball team will revolve around a core of successful players. Badgers players Connor Essegian, Steven Crowl, and transfer AJ Storr will be major contributors during the upcoming season. While the three have not gotten to play together yet, the bigger question surrounding them is whether or not they will be able to hold up against top Big Ten talent.
Wisconsin will also bring back Tyler Wahl, Max Klesmit, and Chucky Hepburn to the team after each player had arguably their best individual seasons. The Badgers will also add multiple incoming freshmen to the team, including Gus Yalden. Yalden, nicknamed “Gus the Bus”, should find immediate playing time due to his size and versatility.
Who Will The Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Team Need To Look Out For In 2023?
Of course, the Badgers will have to expect the past leading-scorer Zach Edey to play like a monster as usual. Purdue will also add Southern Illinois transfer Lance Jones. Jones shot 32.7% from three-point range during his four-years thus far. The Wisconsin basketball team has struggled against Edey in the past. Hopefully, the Badgers and others will learn how to slow down the giant this upcoming season.
A major addition to the Big Ten Conference is new Iowa Hawkeye, Ben Krikke. Krikke, a former standout center for Valparaiso, averaged 19.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. The 6-foot-9-inch athlete joins the Hawkeyes after the team struggled a year ago.
The Penn State Nittany Lions will be a completely different team in 2023 and currently sits as a major question mark. The Nittany Lions have brought in nine transfers, including Puff Johnson from UNC. Penn State put up a fight against the Wisconsin basketball team a season ago, and could do the same to the rest of the Big Ten in 2023.
Regardless of how the rest of the Big Ten Conference pans out in the near future, the Wisconsin basketball team will need to get stronger. Wisconsin is putting together a tough schedule against teams like Tennessee, Providence, and Arizona. The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team will need to play their best basketball in order to be successful.
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