The Wisconsin Badgers officially kicked off their 2025–26 campaign Sunday afternoon with the annual Red-White Scrimmage, and fans got a taste of the new-look roster in a nail-biting 46–44 win for Team Red.
The game featured six returners, five transfers, and four freshmen, giving head coach Greg Gard plenty of lineups to test before the season opener. From the opening tip, it was clear that this scrimmage would be a back-and-forth affair, with neither side able to pull away by more than a handful
of points.
The biggest star of the afternoon was San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd, who finished with 21 points and a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line. Boyd’s slashing drives to the hoop and late-game heroics—including a critical charge and clutch free throws—were the difference in the tight contest.
On the White side, junior John Blackwell showed why he’s a key piece of the returning core, putting up 13 points and grabbing seven boards. Sophomore forward Austin Rapp also impressed, scoring 15 points and showing an ability to finish both inside and from the perimeter. True freshman forward Will Garlock added a spark with his post moves, including a slick spin for a bucket, hinting at his potential impact down the line.
The scrimmage revealed several trends that could shape the Badgers this season. Offensively, spacing and three-point shooting were emphasized, with big men like Rapp and Aleksas Bieliauskas stretching the floor and opening driving lanes. Defensively, while individual talent like Boyd and Blackwell shone through, the team’s presence in the paint still needs tightening, as there were a few easy baskets surrendered inside. Depth and rotation also stood out—Gard got a look at multiple lineups, and the mix of transfers and freshmen gives the team flexibility moving forward.
The Badgers will get their next live look against Oklahoma in an exhibition game at Fiserv Forum on Friday, with the official season opener set for November 3 against Campbell at the Kohl Center. With a mix of experienced returners and promising newcomers, Wisconsin looks poised to compete for a top spot in the Big Ten.
Fans left the Kohl Center buzzing, already speculating which lineup combinations Gard will roll with once games start counting in November. One thing was clear: the 2025–26 Badgers are a team worth keeping an eye on.
