Wisconsin Basketball: Top 2019 recruiting targets for the Badgers

Wisconsin basketball has three scholarships available for the 2019 recruiting class. How many of these targets will the Badgers end up snagging?

Wisconsin basketball did not exactly hit on their top targets during the 2018 recruiting cycle. Two of the top in-state talents, Joey Hauser and Tyler Herro, were among the most highly sought-after players in the class and ended up elsewhere. For an extended period of time, many thought that Herro would be suiting up in a Badgers’ uniform due to his verbal commitment. Yet, he eventually de-committed from the school and is now poised to see minutes for the Kentucky Wildcats this season. Hauser, on the other hand, elected to join his brother as a member of in-state rival Marquette.

However, this does not mean that the 2018 recruiting class was a failure by any stretch. Even though head coach Greg Gard could not land the top targets, he is still bringing in three solid pieces for the future of the program. Big men Joe Hedstrom (No. 382) and Taylor Currie (No. 201) are both skilled players for their size and could provide valuable minutes down the road. Also, point guard Tai Strickland (No. 303) could be an immediate contributor from Day 1 in the backcourt.

This three-man recruiting class ranked No. 72 in the nation. While it is understandable that Wisconsin fans were hoping to see Herro or Hauser in uniform, this class was altogether a nice job to snag some talent after the de-commitment of Herro. While these three players are not highly rated, the Wisconsin program has consistently been successful at developing players in recent years.

Now that the 2018 class is completed, it is time for the program to turn its attention to the top targets of 2019. With already one commitment (Tyler Wahl), this recruiting class is off to a good start. Considering the Wisconsin program seems set at guard for the future with two sophomores (D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison) as well as two freshmen (Kobe King and Strickland) poised for key roles during this next season, this recruiting class will likely be filled with frontcourt targets. (Note: This is assuming that both Trice and King will be given hardship waivers for their injuries last season.)

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at Wisconsin’s top targets for the 2019 class, starting with the first commitment to the Badgers in Tyler Wahl.