The Wisconsin basketball team defeated the Northwestern Wildcats behind a big performance from forward Nolan Winter.
Winter, a second year player for the Wisconsin Badgers, has taken major steps forward this season after developing his game this past offseason in Madison. The forward previously averaged 9.4 minutes per game a season ago but has now become a vital part of the starting lineup for the Wisconsin basketball team.
Winter led Wisconsin with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists against the Northwestern Wildcats in the opening game for the Badgers in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
Wisconsin Basketball Forward Nolan Winter Impressing During Second Season
After dedicating an entire offseason to improving his size, physicality, and basketball IQ, Winter has become a player that Wisconsin can rely on down low.
Previously, Winter averaged 2.4 points per game a season ago while taking 39 triples, which was over half of his total shot selection as the forward shot 30.8% from deep. After bulking up and improving physically, Winter has found a stride attacking the basket and in turn has become a better shooter from beyond the arc.
The forward is shooting 36.6% from long-range while shooting 56.6% from the floor, spreading out his shot selection significantly compared to his first season of play. With Winter attacking and creating the shots that he wants this season, the forward has found more offensive success when he decides to shoot the basketball.
Nolan Winter has Been Key Part of Wisconsin Basketball Success During 2024 Season
While the forward has played significantly more time this season, the changes between freshman and sophomore year have been clear in the play of Winter for the Wisconsin basketball team.
Winter has had multiple games this season where the forward stood out offensively, including a 20 point performance against Butler and a 13 point performance against USC where Winter missed just one shot.
Perhaps what has made Winter such a valuable player during his second season is his ability to create a great shot opportunity even when covered in defenders.
Sometimes shots just will not fall and Winter is not immune but the majority of shots the forward takes each game are very quality looks, which is also a testament to his position and ability to place himself into the correct area to make a play.
Max Klesmit gives high praise to Nolan Winter.
“He’s matured into a grown man”#Badgers pic.twitter.com/vFGC3Rwl5s
— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) March 14, 2025
As fellow Wisconsin basketball teammate Max Klesmit has said after the Northwestern win, Winter has “matured into a grown man” and plays like one with his high-caliber play. Klesmit also stated that Winter has “put the work in” which has been clear in the jumps the forward has made between coming off the bench as a freshman to starting as a sophomore.
A little mentioned part of the development of Winter has also been the players who have surrounded the forward, with John Tonje and Steven Crowl being two mainstays in the corner of Winter.
Winter has commanded the paint for the Wisconsin Badgers and allows other players like Klesmit, Tonje, or Crowl to fully open up the offense when the forward consistently does his job on the court.
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