Wisconsin’s opening week of practice switches focus from France trip
The University of Wisconsin mens basketball team is only four days into fall practice, but Steven Crowl is already feeling the burn.
He joked that his legs were hurting after the teams practice Thursday.
Its good to be back, Crowl said.
Basketball teams all around the nation were able to tip off fall practice Monday, six weeks before many teams season opener. The Badgers are in that boat with their first game of the 2022-23 season coming Nov. 7 against South Dakota.
UW was lucky to get in extra practices this summer due to their trip to France in August. Coach Greg Gard said over the summer that the Badgers wouldnt be focusing as much on defense ahead of the teams trip to France as to not wear the players out. They worked on shooting and other offensive skills.
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Now that the season is just around the corner theyre focusing on some different areas.
Sophomore Chucky Hepburn missed the beginning of practices last season due to an upper body injury. This season hes been helping the team key in on an area hes skilled at: defense.
First couple of weeks are always just like stressing defense, Hepburn said. Just getting up, guarding and making it hard for the ball handlers, giving them a little pressure and make it easier for the post (players).
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UWs trip abroad gave plenty of opportunities for the team to bond off the court, but the other point of emphasis in the preseason is gelling on the court.
The Badgers added six new players, three on scholarship, to the team this season in junior Max Klesmit, sophomore Kamari McGee and freshman Connor Essegian.
They lost seven players but returned 10, including last seasons starters Crowl, Hepburn and Tyler Wahl. Those three will represent UW at Big Ten media days on Oct. 12.
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Coach always says just get good guys in the locker room and start there, Crowl said. From there just working every day on the court and then having guys like Tyler, me, Chucky step up this year. We know we’re gonna have to have bigger roles.
He noted an emphasis on teaching the newer guys how things work at UW. McGee and Klesmit have experience at other programs UW-Green Bay and Wofford, respectively but now they have to adapt.
Crowl, Hepburn and Wahl will have to step up not only as leaders, but as scorers as well. Last seasons leading scorers Brad Davison and Johnny Davis contributed 46.6% of the teams total points. Thats an area both Hepburn and Crowl are hoping to improve in.
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Two players in particular have taken a noticeable jump that Crowl has noticed.
(Carter) Gilmore, for sure, has really stepped out just with his play, Crowl said. He’s bigger, but he can kind of play smaller if we have to. I think he’ll be a big piece this year. Jordan (Davis), just in France, just the way he cuts and the way he moves was really surprising and really good for the team. I think he’s ready to take a big step this year, too.
Its still over a month before the season starts so there is much to learn about this seasons Badgers. The goal, Crowl said, remains the same as previous years: Win the Big Ten.
Breaking down Wisconsin mens basketball’s Big Ten schedule
Intro
The reigning Big Ten regular-season champions will play each other twice this season with the first of two games at Illinois. The University of Wisconsin mens basketball team will host the Fighting Illini three weeks later.
The Badgers open their Big Ten schedule Dec. 6 against Maryland.
The game against the Terrapins is part of a two-game conference slate in the middle of the Badgers’ nonconference schedule. Big Ten play for the Badgers will resume Jan. 3 against Minnesota and end March 5 at the Gophers.
UW returns three starters in Steven Crowl, Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl. It also added three freshmen two walk-ons and one scholarship player and a pair of transfers.
Dec. 6 vs. Maryland
2021-22 season: Maryland had a fairly lackluster season finishing 11th in the conference with a 7-13 record, 15-17 overall. The Terrapins ended their season with a loss in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Heading into 2022-23: Kevin Willard is in his first season as coach coming from a 12-year stint at Seton Hall. He brought in three transfers Jahmir Young, Patrick Emilien, Jahari Long and two freshmen Noah Batchelor and Caelum Swanton-Rodger. They join returners Hakim Hart, Julian Reese and Donta Scott.
ABOVE:Maryland’s Fatts Russell, right, breaks through the defense of Wisconsin’s Lorne Bowman II, left, and Brad Davison, behind, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Jan. 9
Dec. 11 at Iowa
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa
2021-22 season: The Hawkeyes finished tied for fourth in the conference with a 12-8 record, 26-10 overall. Iowa defeated Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament championship to earn the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Iowas season ended early when it got knocked out by 12th-seeded Richmond in the first round.
Heading into 2022-23: Iowa has to deal with the loss of leading scorer Keegan Murray who was picked fourth overall in the NBA draft. The Hawkeyes return three starters in Patrick McCaffery, Filip Rebraca and Tony Perkins. Fourth leading scorer Kris Murray will also be back.
ABOVE:Iowa forward Keegan Murray, center, holds the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after the Hawkeyes beat Purdue to capture the Big Ten tournament title 75-66.
Jan. 3 vs. Minnesota
2021-22 season: Minnesotas season ended when it lost to Penn State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Gophers finished 4-16 in conference play and 13-17 overall for last place.
Heading into 2022-23: This is the second season under coach Ben Johnson. The Gophers return six letter winners, including starter and leading scorer Jamison Battle. They also added eight newcomers to the roster, headlined by North Carolina transfer Dawson Garcia.
ABOVE:Wisconsin guards Chucky Hepburn, left, and Johnny Davis go after the ball against Minnesota forward Jamison Battle during the Badgers’ 66-60 win over the Golden Gophers Jan. 30, 2022.
Jan. 7 at Illinois
Where: State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois
2021-22 season: The Fighting Illini defeated Iowa in a nail-biter to earn a share of the Big Ten regular season championship. They earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, but were knocked out by Indiana in the quarterfinals. Illinois earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. It lost to Houston in the second round.
Heading into 2022-23: Illinois lost its top five leading scorers from last season but return five letter winners and added seven new players. Coleman Hawkins headlines the returners after averaging 5.9 points last season. The Illini added two experienced transfers in Texas Techs Terrence Shannon Jr. and Baylors Matthew Mayer.
ABOVE:Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins (33), Kofi Cockburn (21), Jacob Grandison (3) and Trent Frazier look on as teammate Alfonso Plummer, not pictured, shoots a technical free throw against Rutgers on Dec. 3, 2021.
Jan. 10 vs. Michigan State
2021-22 season: Michigan State earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after finishing with an 11-9 conference record, 23-13 overall. The Spartans lost in the second round to Duke.
Heading into 2022-23: The Spartans have lost four players that averaged at least 14 minutes per game, including their three leading scorers, leading rebounder and two leading shot blockers. Michigan State does return Joey Hauser, Malik Hall and Tyson Walker.
ABOVE:Michigan State’s Marcus Bingham (30) drives against Wisconsin’s Lorne Bowman (11) on Jan. 21.
Jan. 14 at Indiana
Where: Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana
2021-22 season: The Hoosiers finished ninth in the Big Ten with a 9-11 conference record and 21-14 overall. Indiana defeated Michigan and then upset top-seeded Illinois to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. It earned a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but its season ended in the second round when the Hoosiers lost to Saint Marys.
Series: The Badgers took both games against Indiana last season, coming back from a 22-point deficit at the Kohl Center in December and securing another win at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers hold the series edge 97-79.
Heading into 2022-23: Leading scorer Trayce Jackson-Davis returns for the Hoosiers after testing the NBA draft process. The Hoosiers also return four starters and added five-star recruits Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau.
ABOVE:Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis and UW’s Steven Crowl battle for a loose ball last season.
Jan. 17 vs. Penn State
2021-22 season: The Nittany Lions finished 14th in the Big Ten going 7-13 in conference play and 14-17 overall. Coach Micah Shrewsberry led Penn State to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in his first season at the helm.
Heading into the 2021-22 season: The Nittany Lions have an incoming freshman class that is the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history. They also added a trio of graduate transfers in addition to returning the top two scorers in Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy.
ABOVE:Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis (1) is trapped by Penn State’s Greg Lee (5) and Sam Sessoms on Feb. 5.
Jan. 21 at Northwestern
Where: Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois
2021-22 season: The Wildcats finished the season 15-16, 7-13 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for 10th place. Northwestern defeated Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, but lost to Iowa in the second.
Heading into 2022-23: The Wildcats return key contributors redshirt senior guard Chase Audige and senior guard Boo Buie. Last seasons leading scorer, Pete Nance, and fourth-leading scorer Ryan Young, transferred to North Carolina and Duke, respectively. Northwestern has added four players including graduate transfer Tydus Verhoeven from the University of Texas at El Paso.
ABOVE:Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis drives to the basket past Northwestern forward Miller Kopp, left, guard Chase Audige (1) and forward Pete Nance (22) Feb. 21, 2021.
Jan. 25 at Maryland
Where: Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland
The series: Wisconsin and Maryland have only played 19 times. The Badgers hold a 12-7 edge after winning the lone matchup in Maryland last season.
ABOVE:Maryland’s Fatts Russell walks off the court after losing to Wisconsin on Jan. 9.
Jan. 28 vs. Illinois
The series: Illinois defeated UW 80-67 in the pairs lone matchup last season. The two teams have played each other over 200 times with the The Fighting Illini holding a 114-90 lead.
ABOVE:Illinois guard Adam Miller defends Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis in the second half of the Badgers’ 74-69 loss on Feb. 27, 2021.
Feb. 2 at Ohio State
Where: The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio
2021-22 season: Ohio State finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a 12-8 conference record, 20-12 overall. The Buckeyes got bounced in the second round of the Big Ten tournament but still secured an NCAA Tournament bid. They defeated Loyola Chicago to advance to the second round but lost to Villanova in the second.
Series: Ohio State holds the lead in the all-time series 94-76. The two teams split last seasons series with each winning at its respective home arena.
Heading into 2022-23: Sophomore forward Zed Key is the Buckeyes only returning starter, but Justice Sueing is also back after missing all but two games last season. Ohio State lost nine players from last season, including leading scorer E.J. Liddell and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham.
ABOVE:Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis goes up for a shot over Ohio State forward Justin Ahrens, left, and guard Meechie Johnson Dec. 11, 2021.
Feb. 5 vs. Northwestern
The series: The Badgers won the lone matchup with Northwestern last season. UW has an 122-65 all-time series edge over the Wildcats.
ABOVE:Northwestern guard Boo Buie, left, drives to the basket past Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore on Jan. 18.
Feb. 8 at Penn State
Where: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania
The series: Penn State kept it interesting in its only matchup with UW, losing by just two points. The Badgers have the overall lead making the all time-series record 42-11.
ABOVE:Penn State’s Seth Lundy (1) drives against Wisconsin on Feb. 5.
Feb. 11 at Nebraska
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
2021-22 season: The Cornhuskers finished the season 10-22, 4-16 in Big Ten play to tie for last place. They lost to Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Heading into 2022-23: Nebraska returns two of its top four scorers in senior forward Derrick Walker (9.5 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game) and C.J. Wilcher (8.1 points, 2.3 rebounds), who was the Cornhuskers sixth man last season. They lost leading scorer Bryce McGowens but added three Division I transfers and a recruiting class that ranked top 30 nationally by both Rivals and 247Sports.
ABOVE: Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis is defended by Nebraska’s Kobe Webster, left, and Eduardo Andre on Jan. 27.
Feb. 14 vs. Michigan
2021-22 season: Michigan fell short of its Big Ten expectations finishing eighth overall after being picked to finish first in the preseason. The Wolverines were one of two Big Ten teams to make it to the Sweet 16, but lost to Villanova to end the season.
Heading into 2022-23: The Wolverines lost last seasons freshmen duo of Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate to the NBA. They do return leading scorer Hunter Dickinson, who averaged 18.6 points per game last season. He is the only returning starter for Michigan.
ABOVE:UW forward Tyler Wahl backs down Michigan center Hunter Dickinson last season at the Kohl Center.
Feb. 18 vs. Rutgers
2021-22 season: Rutgers earned its second consecutive at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Scarlet Knights earned a four seed in the Big Ten Tournament and lost to eventual winner, Iowa, in the quarterfinals. Their season ended with a First Four loss to Notre Dame in double overtime.
The series: Rutgers and UW split a pair of games last season, but the Badgers were the only ranked Big Ten team to defeat the Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena last season. The Badgers 66-61 win increased them to a 10-4 all-time series lead.
Heading into 2022-23: The Scarlet Knights lost its top two scorers, but return the next three in Clifford Omoruyi, Paul Mulcahy and last seasons Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell.
ABOVE:Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) looses possession against Rutgers’ Ron Harper on Feb. 12.
Feb. 22 vs. Iowa
The series: UW won the lone matchup between the Badgers and Hawkeyes last season, giving the Badgers a 86-85 edge in their history against each other.
ABOVE:Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) drives against Iowa’s Tony Perkins (11) on Jan. 6.
Feb. 26 at Michigan
Where: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan
The series: The Badgers defeated Michigan 77-63 last season, highlighted by the kerfuffle between Michigan coach Juwan Howard and UW assistant Joe Krabbenhoft. The Wolverines have the overall 94-77 edge in the all-time matchup.
ABOVE:Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl looks to pass as Michigan’s Caleb Houstan (22) defends on Feb. 20.
March 2 vs. Purdue
2021-22 season: The Boilermakers fell short of preseason expectations and finished third in the Big Ten with a 14-6 record. Purdue lost to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament championship, but was one of two Big Ten teams to make it to the Sweet 16.
Series: The Badgers upset Purdue at Mackey Arena and then defeated them again at the Kohl Center, courtesy of Chucky Hepburns last second banked 3-point shot. The Boilermakers still hold the series lead at 111-74.
Heading into 2022-23: Purdue returns a strong frontcourt in Zach Edey and Mason Gillis. The Boilermakers added Utah transfer David Jenkins Jr. to help with their limited guard rotation since they lost three starters from last season, including leading scorer Jaden Ivey.
ABOVE:Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis scores against Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, left, and forward Mason Gillis on March 1.
March 5 vs. Minnesota
Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis
The series: UW swept Minnesota last season to gain a narrow 105-104 edge in the all-time series.
ABOVE:Minnesota’s Sean Sutherlin (24) looses control of the ball against Chucky Hepburn on Jan. 30.