Wisconsin Basketball: Setting 2019 offseason priorities for the Badgers

4. Determine roles for newcomers.

Wisconsin is not typically a program that immediately thrusts newcomers into the rotation. For the most part, players need a year to develop before playing meaningful minutes for the team. This has mostly been a result of the fact that Wisconsin stays away from the transfer market but that was not the case this offseason. With regards to this upcoming campaign for the Badgers, two newcomers (one of which is a transfer) are likely to receive their fair share of playing time right away.

In Wisconsin’s 2019 recruiting class, Tyler Wahl seems poised to land minutes right away. A 6-foot-7 forward out of Minnesota, Wahl is ranked as the No. 187 overall recruit in the class. He might not be an extremely highly-rated player but he fills a need for next season. Considering the Badgers lost three frontcourt players this offseason, it is reasonable to assume that a forward prospect like Wahl will take on a reserve role right away. He averaged 17.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game as a senior this past season.

Moving to the incoming transfer, one has to assume that Micah Potter will be a member of the rotation next season. After spending two years with Ohio State, Potter elected to transfer just prior to this past season. He is appealing for the potential of immediate eligibility but he will be able to play after the end of the fall semester at worst. A 6-foot-9 big man with the ability to stretch the floor, it is reasonable to assume he will find plenty of playing time next season.

Both of these newcomers seem to be potential contenders for minutes in the frontcourt. It will be interesting to see how their roles turn out to be next season.