Wisconsin Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Badgers

Things are going to look a bit different in Madison in November. Coming off the heels of a 22-14 (11-9) season in which the Badgers fell in the Round of 64 as a five seed, Badgers head coach Greg Gard was tasked with replacing a core group of players, including three-year starting point guard Chucky Hepburn (Louisville), leading scorer AJ Storr (Kansas), Connor Essegian (Nebraska) and Tyler Wahl (graduation.) 

To combat its high volume of losses, Wisconsin had no choice but to attack the transfer portal this offseason. Incoming to Madison is a trio of quality transfers, including PG Cam Hunter (Central Arkansas), PF Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) and the versatile veteran John Tonje (Colorado State/Missouri).

Early preseason projections on this year’s group aren’t too high, but they aren’t too low, either. In the recently announced Big Ten Preseason Poll, the Badgers were projected to finish 12th, tied with Nebraska. BartTorvik’s preseason rankings have the Badgers ranked 41st in the country, finishing ninth in the muddled Big Ten.

The bottom line is that replacing three out of five starters is never an easy feat. Thankfully for Wisconsin, Greg Gard will have a pair of veterans to lean on in Max Klesmit and Steven Crowl returning for their fifth season of eligibility. 

Will that be enough to get the Badgers back into the Big Dance?

As November begins to inch closer and closer, take a look at the 2024-25 season preview for the Badgers, including its projected starting lineup, key reserves, non-conference schedule preview and overall season outlook.