What are Wisconsin’s biggest keys for the 2025 season?
The Wisconsin Badgers showed a glimpse of what their 2025-26 season could look like last week, as they hosted their first practice available to the media during the summer.
Wisconsin’s new-look team, featuring five transfers and four freshmen, was on display, although certain members haven’t made the trip yet due to international obligations.
As we look ahead to the upcoming season, the Badgers look deep once again and have key returners to match the talent brought in from outside.
What are three keys to success for the Badgers in 2025?
Can Winter and Blackwell Become Stars?
John Blackwell, now a junior, averaged 15.8 points per game last season and showed flashes of All-Conference talent. With John Tonje gone, he becomes the primary option on the wing—and maybe the face of the program.
Winter, entering his junior season, brings length, toughness, and two-way versatility. He’s expected to be in the starting lineup the entire year and play 30+ minutes a game.
If both players take a leap, Wisconsin won’t just be rebuilding—they’ll be reloading.
Life After Crowl: Is the Frontcourt Ready?
For the first time in four years, Steven Crowl won’t be anchoring the paint. That leaves a gaping hole in both scoring and rebounding.
The Badgers are betting on a mix of Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp, and senior transfer Elijah Gray to fill that void. But it won’t be easy—Crowl’s high-post passing and ability to stretch the floor were quietly crucial to Wisconsin’s offense.
If the frontcourt falters, defenses will key in on the perimeter and force the Badgers into tough shots. But if this group holds its own? It could unlock a more dynamic, modern version of Gard’s swing offense.
Defensive Identity: Can They Get Stops When It Matters?
For all of Gard’s success, defensive slippage has plagued Wisconsin in recent years. While the offense vastly improved last season, the defense seemed to get a little worse and was the reason Wisconsin lost in the Round of 32 to BYU.
With young legs and more athletic wings, this year’s team should be better equipped to pressure the ball, rotate faster, and finish possessions with rebounds. But improvement on that end is more mindset than talent.
If the Badgers can rediscover their grit defensively, they’ll be a tough out in March. If not, they’ll be stuck in the middle of the Big Ten again—dangerous, but inconsistent.