NCAA Basketball: Preseason Top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season
9. team. 493. . . . Badgers
In a season that could require a lot more emotional and mental maturity out of its players, Coach Gard and Wisconsin Basketball may have an advantage. That’s because not only do they have six seniors on the roster, but five of them could very well start.
The top four scorers are back for the Badgers, led by All-Big Ten forward Nate Reuvers. He was one of three players who averaged in double figures, along with Micah Potter, who led the team with 6.2 rpg primarily off the bench. Aleem Ford (8.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg) was the starting power forward last year and will be again, hoping to expand his offense even more.
"All things considered, the Badgers are definitely a team to look out for in 2020, as they have quite a bit of depth inside and boast an experienced roster. – Nick Raponi (@nickraponi)"
There’s even more depth this time around in top-100 forward Ben Carlson. Ford will have the edge with his experience but Carlson has a high ceiling and will warrant minutes. He’ll be a change of pace for the Badgers and an extra boost on offense.
The guards will determine how good Wisconsin will end up being. The chemistry certainly improved once Kobe King departed but he was still a double-digit producer. It’ll be up to seniors Brad Davison and D’Mitrik Trice to lead the way. Freshmen guards Jordan Davis and Lorne Bowman II will provide depth off the bench.
As long as the Badgers remain in the top-tier defensively, they’ll be ranked for most of the season. They’ll need the offense to improve though in order to compete against the very top of the Big Ten.