Wisconsin looking inside to replace top production, opens with Holy Cross

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th October, 10:02 2024

NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois

Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) plays the ball in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

After losing two top starters to the transfer portal, Wisconsin unveils its revamped lineup Monday night in the season opener against visiting Holy Cross.

Wisconsin finished 22-14 last season, 11-9 in the Big Ten but outside expectations are well below that mark.

The Badgers were picked tied for 12th in the preseason poll in the expanded 18-team conference and have several holes to fill.

Three-year starting guard Chucky Hepburn transferred to Louisville and guard AJ Storr, who averaged a team-leading 16.8 points, bolted for Kansas. Forward Tyler Wahl graduated after 162 career games, including 121 starts.

Much is expected from 7-foot senior Steven Crowl, who averaged 11.2 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game.

"I've coached and recruited some of the best bigs we've had in the history of our program, and he has all the skill sets of them," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said of Crowl in a preseason interview with NBC Sports. "The final step for him is the mindset to dominate. There's no reason he can't be one of the best bigs in the league."

Steady senior guard Max Klesmit, who led the team in 3-pointers (66), is the other returning starter. Guard John Blackwell, guard Kamari McGee and 6-foot-11 Nolan Winter are expected to see increased roles.

The Badgers turned to the portal to restock, adding guard Camren Hunter from Central Arkansas and forward Xavier Amos from Northern Illinois. Combo guard John Tonje was limited to eight games at Missouri last season due to injuries, but averaged 14.6 points the previous season at Colorado State.

Freshman guard Daniel Freitag, a highly regarded recruit out of Minnesota, also is expected to contribute.

Holy Cross (10-23, 6-12 in the Patriot League last season) landed two players out of the transfer portal. Jaiden Feroah, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 18 points last season at a community college in Washington state. Gabe Warren, a 6-foot-6 transfer from Rice, averaged just six minutes per game last season as a freshman.

Last season's leading scorer Joe Octave transferred to Stony Brook. Top returners are forward Caleb Kenney and guards Joe Nugent and Will Batchelder.

"Since the end of last season, I'd say we've grown on the defensive end mostly," Batchelder said. "As far as team camaraderie, we're moving the ball better in practice."

--Field Level Media