The Badgers are turning a page next season with a number of new faces.
The 2025–26 Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team is set to look very different from last season, especially when it comes to who will be carrying the scoring load. With leading scorer John Tonje heading to the NBA, a significant number of offensive opportunities are now up for grabs.
While junior guard John Blackwell is expected to take another step forward from his already impressive 15.8 points per game, his improvement will not be the most impactful on the team. Instead, expect sophomore forward Nolan Winter to be poised to have the biggest breakout season for the Badgers.
Winter already showed promise during the 2024–25 campaign, averaging 9.4 points and leading the team with 5.8 rebounds per game. What’s especially encouraging is that he achieved those numbers despite splitting nearly equal minutes with veteran forward Carter Gilmore.
Winter played just over 21 minutes per game this season. But, with Gilmore now gone, Winter will likely see a significant increase in playing time, potentially closer to 30 minutes per game. More minutes will naturally lead to more opportunities to contribute on both ends of the floor.
Efficiency was one of Winter’s strengths as a freshman. He shot 56.4 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc, showcasing a rare ability to stretch the floor as a big man. That versatility is exactly what Wisconsin’s evolving offensive system needs.
Head coach Greg Gard and assistant coach Kirk Penney made a noticeable shift in the team’s offensive strategy last season, emphasizing perimeter shooting and offensive spacing. The result? A record-breaking year in terms of points scored and offensive efficiency for the program.
Winter fits this new system perfectly. As a seven-footer who can shoot from deep, he forces defenses to guard him on the perimeter, which opens up lanes for others and helps keep the offense flowing.
Wisconsin’s offensive identity is becoming more dynamic and guard-driven, and the additions of transfer point guard Nick Boyd and forward Andrew Rohde only add to that vision. Both players are strong ball-handlers and capable scorers who can drive into the paint and kick the ball out to open shooters.
With three interchangeable guards who can penetrate and create, Winter will benefit from a steady stream of catch-and-shoot opportunities from beyond the arc. One of his weaknesses has been his weight and post scoring, but Winter has continually gotten bigger and stronger each season and will get opportunities in the post as well, giving him even more chances to score.
Winter’s ability to hit outside shots, finish inside, rebound, and defend multiple positions gives him the tools to be one of the most improved players in the Big Ten. If he continues to build on the confidence and momentum from his freshman and sophomore years, Nolan Winter won’t just be a reliable starter—he’ll be a focal point of Wisconsin’s offense in 2025–26.