As another winter approaches in Madison, the buzz around the Kohl Center is growing louder. The Wisconsin Badgers are entering the season with optimism and plenty of reasons for fans to believe this could
be a special year. Here are three storylines that make this team worth watching.
1. Experience at the Core
Wisconsin’s trademark has always been consistency, and that stems from veteran leadership. Returning players like John Blackwell and Nolan Winter bring poise and proven production, giving the Badgers a steady foundation. Both gained valuable minutes last season and are expected to play even bigger roles this year. Their ability to lead on both ends of the floor will be crucial as Wisconsin navigates a tough Big Ten slate.
2. Newcomers Who Can Contribute Right Away
This season also features an exciting group of new additions who can make an immediate impact. Andrew Rohde, a transfer guard, brings scoring ability and creativity that can spark the offense. Fellow newcomer Nick Boyd adds versatility and toughness, while freshman Austin Rapp provides size and energy in the frontcourt. Together, they inject fresh life into the roster and give head coach Greg Gard more lineup flexibility. Fans should be excited to see how quickly these newcomers blend with the veteran group.
3. A more balanced attack and 3-Point Shooting
Wisconsin showed a major improvement in scoring the basketball last season, and I don’t see them stopping there. The scoring was heavily skewed towards two players last year, John Tonje and Blackwell. This year will be more even. All five players on the court having the ability to drop 20 points on any given night will be a game-changer. This will be a very hard team to guard. Nick Boyd’s and Andrew Rohde’s passing and playmaking abilities should open up many opportunities for Blackwell and Winter. Expect a record amount of 3-point shots to go up in the Kohl Center next season.
From proven leaders to coveted transfers to a balanced offense, Wisconsin basketball fans have every reason to be optimistic. With the Kohl Center rocking, this team has the tools to make noise not just in the Big Ten, but on the national stage.
