Wisconsin Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Badgers
By Jason Belt
A very experienced Wisconsin Basketball program is looking to contend for a second straight Big Ten Championship in the 2020-21 season. Here is the season preview for the Badgers.
A saying that many people like to use is, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
This statement very much applies to the 2020-21 Wisconsin Badgers.
Greg Gard’s team is back. After a late surge from late February into early March of last season, Wisconsin stole a share of the Big Ten title, as well as the 1-seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
We all know what happened next, but regardless there is no denying that the Badgers would have been a tough out in both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament.
For most teams in similar situations to Wisconsin Basketball, last season was their final shot with the guys they had in their locker room. Seniors, transfers, and NBA Draft entrees shake up rosters all around the country.
For Greg Gard, this was not exactly the case.
The 2019-20 Big Ten Coach of the Year has virtually all five starters returning, along with a bench crew that can compete with any team in the country.
Aside from the Kobe King transfer midway through last season, Brevin Pritzl is the only departing Badger that impacted games last year.
As far as newcomers go, Wisconsin is welcoming in 6’9 4-star recruit Ben Carlson, who will see immediate playing time at power forward. The Badgers are also bringing in 3-star guard Johnny Davis, a freshman from the area who recently won “Mr. Basketball” in the state of Wisconsin in 2020.
These two incoming freshmen will look to gel with the already formidable rotation pieces that have helped Wisconsin be successful in recent years.
The Badgers are arguably as deep as the 2015 National Championship runner-up team, so don’t be surprised if they make a similar run this season.