Big Ten Basketball: Updated 2021-22 preseason rankings after NBA Draft decisions

It wasn’t the NBA Draft that Wisconsin had to worry about this offseason but rather the core of seniors on the roster that had an extra potential year available via the NCAA. However, four of the five senior starters all left, leaving just Brad Davison coming back for next season. While he’s had some controversial moments as a Badger, the 6’4 guard is a double-digit scorer, capable distributor, and a solid defender overall.

This will be a fairly young Wisconsin team overall, with Davison and Tyler Wahl the only returning upperclassmen players. They did add a pair of transfers in Chris Vogt from Cincinnati and Jahcobi Neath of Wake Forest. Neither were elite players at their previous stops but will provide needed experience and depth for next season.

The key to the Badgers’ fate in 2022 will be about how good the new young nucleus ends up being. They have a solid four-man recruiting class, led by guard Chucky Hepburn and forward Matthew Mors. But this is the opportunity for the sophomore group to excel, now that the seniors aren’t hogging all the minutes.

Former top-60 recruit Ben Carlson likely will start at the power forward spot, while Jonathan Davis, a 6’5 guard who averaged 7.0 ppg in 24 off the bench last season is viewed as a breakout candidate. He got good experience this offseason as part of the U19 USA Gold Medal Team, playing alongside Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Caleb Furst. If he can have a big campaign, Wisconsin will remain in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament spot.