Wisconsin Basketball: Analyzing the 2019-20 roster and projected rotation
Bigs
Nate Reuvers (JR): 7.9 ppg (.449/.381/.634), 3.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg
Nate Reuvers is perhaps the most important player on the Wisconsin roster this season. In the absence of Happ, he will be called upon to be the top frontcourt player on the roster and will need to show plenty of growth. Now in his junior year, Reuvers will be expected to make another big leap, especially on the offensive end of the floor. He averaged just 7.9 points per game last season without elite efficiency numbers and he will need to be a double-digit scorer if the Badgers are going to be successful. Reuvers will never “replace” Happ’s production but his play will define Wisconsin’s season.
Reuvers will not only be a go-to presence on the offensive end, either. After averaging nearly two blocks per game as a sophomore, he will also be the anchor of the team’s defense. To put it simply, the 6-foot-11 junior could be Wisconsin’s most important player on both ends of the floor and he will need to make massive improvements to accommodate that jump in his expectations. His versatile two-way game has shown flashes of being a star but he has to put it all together (and show a bit more fight on the glass as well).
Micah Potter (R-JR): 4.1 ppg (.489/.300/.800), 2.4 rpg, 0.4 bpg at Ohio State in 2017-18
An underrated addition to this roster, Micah Potter spent two seasons at Ohio State prior to transferring. Although not a superb contributor for the Buckeyes, he did manage to average 12.1 minutes per game in 59 contests with the team before leaving. He is definitely accustomed to playing at the Big Ten level and will add a strong rebounding presence as a reserve big man. Even though Potter might have to sit out the first semester (he is appealing for immediate eligibility), his addition should not be undervalued because he fills a spot of need in the rotation.
Joe Hedstrom (R-FR): Ranked as the No. 389 overall recruit in 2018
Joe Hedstrom was not a highly rated recruit out of high school and redshirted this past season (as a walk-on). Now, though, he could be thrust into the rotation, especially if Potter is ruled out for the first semester. Wisconsin’s frontcourt is quite thin at the moment and Hedstrom is definitely a wildcard considering we are yet to see him play at the college level. He is, though, listed as a 7-footer weighing in at 223 pounds. He has plenty of size.