Wisconsin Basketball: Where does the hope lie for 2018-19?

After a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, Wisconsin basketball is looking to get back on track next season. What are fans counting on for this return to success?

There have not been many programs as consistent as Wisconsin basketball over the last several years. Regardless of head coach, the Badgers have reached the NCAA Tournament year after year during the past century. However, they are coming off their worst season in recent memory. The team finished 15-18, just their first losing record since the 1997-98 season. In fact, it was also their first year missing the NCAA Tournament since that season. Thankfully, there is plenty of hope regarding the 2018-19 campaign.

Which leaders are ready to step up?

For starters, star center Ethan Happ is likely to return for his senior season. Despite the fact that he does not stretch the floor whatsoever, the big man averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season. In addition, he flashes excellent defensive instincts in the paint, coming away with 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. As of right now, Happ is entered in the NBA Draft but he did not sign an agent. Due to his inability to score outside of the paint, most experts believe he will be coming back next season.

Joining him as a senior leader will be Khalil Iverson. In his first season as a full-time starter for the Badgers, Iverson was relatively solid last season. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game. The expectation is that he will be once again a starter for Wisconsin in his final year and he brings a steadiness that is important on a young team like this one. Iverson is an extremely athletic wing who rebounds well and has defensive potential that is through the roof. Whether or not he figures this out in his final season remains to be seen.

Lastly, to-be junior Brevin Pritzl is seeking another starting role next season. He is known to be a knockdown shooter and is one of the best floor spacers on the roster. In 2017-18, Pritzl averaged 8.9 points per game while shooting 35.6% from three. A breakout season would certainly help the Badgers and that could easily be in store with a strong returning cast that can take some pressure off of him as a shooter.

The trio of returning sophomores

Speaking of that returning cast, the trio of returning sophomores for Wisconsin will be vital for their success next season. The lead man for this group is clearly Brad Davison, a guard who had a breakout season as a freshman. He quickly asserted himself as one of the best youngsters in the conference as he averaged 12.1 points per game, which was good enough for second on the team. He has a toughness about him that cannot be put simply into words and he is the glue that holds the Badgers together.

In addition, head coach Greg Gard will need Nathan Reuvers to take the next step as a sophomore. The former top-100 big man showed flashes of being an excellent stretch forward last season and he slides into the lineup nicely either as a frontcourt partner for Happ or as his primary back-up. As a freshman, he averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game.

Rounding out this group is Aleem Ford, who was a surprisingly accurate shooter from distance last season. Despite a somewhat slow release time, he shot 40.9% from distance while averaging 5.8 points per game. Even though he started 20 of Wisconsin’s 33 games this past season, he will likely enter next season as a primary bench option.

Players coming back from injury

Arguably the biggest reason for Wisconsin’s down year in 2017-18 was their health. There were high expectations for both sophomore D’Mitrik Trice and freshman Kobe King heading into the year. However, both players were limited to just 10 games played. Regardless of whether or not these players are retroactively awarded medical redshirts, they will play major roles in the rotation next season.

Trice was the starting guard before going down with his injury and he will reprise that role next season. A natural point guard, the return of Trice will push the previously mentioned Davison to the starting shooting guard slot. Trice was a 41.8% 3-point shooter as a freshman but made just 12 of his 40 attempts (30.0%) from deep in his 10 games last season.

In regards to King, he was an effective go-to scorer off the bench in 19.0 minutes per game prior to the injury. He averaged 5.2 points per game and showed flashes of making difficult shots both inside the arc and beyond. There are several other major guards returning so King will be able to slowly return to form before hopefully erupting later in the season.

First-year players in the program

While they may not immediately step in as major contributors, it is important to note that Wisconsin has three incoming players in their 2018 recruiting class. Both Joe Hedstrom and Taylor Currie are big men that may be solid reserve options behind Happ and Reuvers. As it is, the returning frontcourt of the Badgers is thin and could use a few extra bodies.

The other first-year players in the program are both guards. First, UW-Green Bay transfer Trevor Anderson will see his first official minutes in a Badgers’ uniform after sitting out last season. As a freshman with the Phoenix, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. After that, incoming freshman Tai Strickland might see minutes barring an injury. At 6’2″, he has solid size but might need some time to develop.

Next: 2018 Big Ten recruiting classes

Wisconsin basketball has plenty of returning faces as well as incoming players. Head coach Greg Gard will have plenty of talent at his disposal and he should be able to bring the program back to prominence in just one season. The Big Ten will be deep next season but the team should finish in the top-half while being on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.