Wisconsin basketball is back! After an 87-44 exhibition win over UW-Stevens Point last night, the Badgers regular season begins Monday night against Arkansas State. This Wisconsin basketball team is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing the big dance last year. Only one person from last years team left and that is Jordan Davis. They replaced him with St John’s transfer AJ Storr, Wisconsin also adds a good freshman class. Here are my four predictions for the Wisconsin basketball season.
AJ Storr Leads Wisconsin Basketball in Scoring
The Badgers desperately missed Johnny Davis last season. They had no one to attack the rim. As a result, it allowed defenses to pack the paint.
AJ Storr will change that this season. The sophomore St John’s transfer attacks the rim really will and can shoo the ball. He led the Badgers last night with 14 points and was included in the starting lineup. I thought there would be a chance Storr would come off the bench and Connor Essegian would take that spot in the lineup. Instead, Essegian came off the bench.
I know it’s only one showing, but Storr might be the best player on this team. He’s quick, physical, and already has a good amount of college basketball experience. I think he’ll play a lot of minutes and lead the team in scoring this season.
Wisconsin Basketball Has 3 Big Ten Selections
If I had to guess, I think Tyler Wahl and AJ Storr earn all conference teams. I believe Storr will be a second or third team selection and Wahl an honorable mention player. These two should get a lot of looks at the rim. When healthy, Wahl can be a force in the paint.
I also believe Connor Essegian will win Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. Essegian will be one of the leading scorers on this team and should get more open looks especially if he pairs with AJ Storr. With a full year under his belt, Essegian looks bigger and stronger as well. He knows what he needs to do to get open. I think he could have a big sophomore season.
Wisconsin Basketball Finishes 5th in the Big Ten
I would be shocked if Michigan State and Purdue were not the top two teams in the Big Ten by the end of the regular season. The Spartans return everyone except Joey Hauser and Purdue returns essentially their whole roster including Zach Edey. There’s a ton of depth and talent on both rosters.
Teams three through five I think will come down to Wisconsin, Maryland, and Illinois. I give the edge to Maryland and Illinois because they are older rosters and have more experience. If I had to guess, I think Illinois finishes third and Maryland fourth. I would not be surprised if the Badgers finish as high as three. After little to no depth a season ago, Wisconsin has better talent and more depth on this roster.
Wisconsin Basketball Makes a Run to the Sweet 16
This will be my bold prediction this season. Assuming the Badgers finish around fifth in the Big Ten, look for them to get anywhere from a 5-7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten has four really good teams and I think the Badgers can play with any of them.
I think this will help come the NCAA Tournament. With non-conference games against Marquette, Arizona, and Arizona, Wisconsin will be tested and have a difficult schedule. I think that only helps them when March comes around.
Why am I more optimistic about this team? They just missed the NCAA Tournament a season ago after a 1-7 stretch in the thick of the Big Ten season. If a few of those games go in their favor, then they would have gotten in. Add in a good freshman class and returning talent from last season, I have no doubt this team will return to the NCAA Tournament.
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!