How Wisconsin Basketball is Navigating Recruiting in the Transfer Portal Era
Wisconsin has built its foundation on the back of high school recruiting. But is that a bad investment in the transfer portal era?
Madison, Wis. -- It's no secret that almost everything about how the NCAA conducts its business has changed with the implementation of the modern-day transfer portal. Wisconsin basketball head coach Greg Gard has been forced to reevaluate his team-building approach, knowing the blueprint for constructing a championship roster looks much different than when he entered the profession.
Many attribute Wisconsin's long-standing success to its ability to recruit and develop prospects throughout their careers — getting the most juice for the squeeze once players become upperclassmen.
But in the transfer portal era, a blue-collar program like UW that hangs its hat on player development must adapt to the transfer portal culture or risk getting left behind.
So today, I evaluate how blue bloods have shifted their recruiting focus — and dissect whether or not high school recruiting is as suitable of an investment for Wisconsin men's basketball as it used to be — along with how the Badgers might be able to take advantage of these new trends.
Let's begin.
How High School Recruiting Has Been Affected by the Transfer Portal
It goes without saying that culture and continuity within the Wisconsin men's basketball program comes from high school recruiting. It's the lifeblood of any program, and the player development angle with always be crucial.
However, in a what have you done for me lately coaching world, it is challenging for some Power 5 programs to put a lot of resources into pursuing players that are unlikely to make an immediate impact. In many cases, young recruits who fail to see the court early in their careers don't stick around long enough to develop — making them a risky investment.
Often, coaches put two full years or more into pursuing a recruit — and if everything goes according to plan, they land a commitment. But there is no guarantee that the player will pan out or that they'll even stay — which makes the offseason transfer portal all the more enticing for schools with the necessary resources to land the big fish.
In the portal, coaches can land a proven, experienced, and physically developed player that's done it at the division one level — in a matter of days — with a higher probability of impacting your program immediately.
Talk about getting the most bang for your buck.