As of February 2024, Wisconsin men’s basketball has seen a series of ups and downs, much like the previous season, where the team struggled to maintain consistency and ultimately finished underwhelmingly.
Last year, the Wisconsin Badgers experienced a difficult campaign that left many fans and analysts questioning the team’s trajectory in the Big Ten Conference.
The 2022-2023 season began with a sense of hope, with the Badgers returning some key players from the previous year, including senior forward Tyler Wahl, and the team’s core group of skilled veterans.
However, the squad found itself grappling with challenges both offensively and defensively. Wisconsin’s typical reliance on a strong defensive scheme and deliberate, methodical offense, which has been a hallmark of head coach Greg Gard’s tenure, became increasingly ineffective as the season wore on.
Offensively, the Badgers were often too reliant on individual performances and struggled to generate consistent team scoring. While Wahl was a standout player, averaging solid numbers throughout the season, the team lacked a dynamic offensive flow, with scoring coming in fits and starts.
This inconsistency on offense was compounded by their reliance on three-point shooting, which, at times, was erratic. The lack of a consistent secondary scoring option behind Wahl left Wisconsin vulnerable to defensive pressure from their opponents, who often keylocked on the Badgers’ main scoring threats.
Defensively, Wisconsin still prided itself on its ability to stifle opponents and control the tempo of the game, but a number of key defensive lapses were apparent throughout the year. While the Badgers did remain competitive within the Big Ten, their inability to shut down high-scoring teams or keep pace with fast-paced offenses often cost them in close games.
Injuries also played a part, as key players like Chucky Hepburn, the team’s starting point guard, battled through issues that slowed down his effectiveness.
The Badgers also faced challenges with their depth. While they had a few strong bench players, such as Jordan Davis and Kamari McGee, they often did not provide the level of support needed for a sustained push through the conference season.
The lack of depth, particularly when the starting lineup faced fatigue or foul trouble, limited their options and contributed to the team’s overall struggles.
As the season progressed, Wisconsin found itself hovering around .500, often caught in the middle of the Big Ten pack. They had some solid victories, including notable wins against teams like Iowa and Maryland, but their overall lack of consistency meant that they also dropped key games, including against lower-tier teams in the conference.
By the end of the season, the Badgers were on the outside looking in when it came to the NCAA tournament. Despite some glimmers of hope and individual standout performances, the season ended with disappointment, as Wisconsin failed to meet the expectations set by fans and analysts alike.
Their lack of a postseason berth was a stark contrast to their previous success, which included NCAA tournament appearances and Big Ten competitiveness.
Looking forward to this season, the Badgers are hoping to build on the lessons learned from last year, improve offensively, and find more balance across all areas of their game. While last year was a tough one for Wisconsin men’s basketball, there’s optimism that with the right adjustments, they can return to form and contend in the Big Ten once again.
