What we learned about Wisconsin men’s basketball from Greg Gard’s summer media availability
Wisconsin men's basketball summer notebook: new faces, physical transformations, standout players, and a roster ready to push pace in 2025-26..
If you want to know what the Wisconsin men's basketball team looks like ahead of the 2025-26 season, you don’t start with the stat sheet or the recruiting rankings. You start inside the gym, where, after an offseason of changes, Greg Gard and his staff are working with a roster that feels less like a rebuild and more like a reset. Eleven players are out. Nine new faces are in. And now that the dust has settled, what’s left is a group trying to build something new without losing sight of who they are.
And if there’s a short list of things you need to know right now in the middle of July, it’s this: Wisconsin likes its depth, they’re playing faster a lot, and the overall level of competitive nature of practice is intense.
"It’s July, so I try to keep things in perspective," Gard told reporters. They’ve worked. They’ve come in. It’s a pretty talented group, and it’s just a matter of continuing to refine some things. In the summer, a lot of times, it's about experimenting, so we’re tinkering with different things.
"We’ve had to kick them out of the gym at times because they really like to play. I think we’ve got good depth. I think we’ve got size, and the experience that the transfers have brought has been pretty obvious.”
This isn’t just the usual round of summer optimism. Gard knows exactly where this program stands. After a 2024-25 season that saw Wisconsin enter March as a No. 3 seed but leave with the sting of another exit in the tournament, the Badgers faced a crossroads. Veteran pieces moved on, the transfer portal spun, and college basketball’s landscape continued to tilt toward the programs that can blend talent acquisition with cultural fit.
Wisconsin didn’t just go looking for names this offseason. They went looking for answers. What they came back with is a roster that feels thoughtfully built. Core returners like John Blackwell and Nolan Winter remain, ready to take on expanded roles. Proven transfers like Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde, and Austin Rapp arrive with experience and the ability to play key roles in Gard’s system. And with international additions also in the fold, there’s real intrigue about how this group could come together.
Let’s break it down.
John Blackwell ready to take another step
If there’s been one clear storyline emerging from the summer, it’s John Blackwell — and the version of him Wisconsin is getting back is different from the one fans last saw in March.
After a breakout sophomore season in which he started all 37 games and averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, Blackwell tested the NBA Draft waters, gathered feedback, and made the decision to return to Madison. But it’s not the same Blackwell walking back through the door.
“I think the confidence level, whether the NBA experience was what brought that out of him or if it’s just going into year three, you can see he’s bigger physically, he’s leaner, he’s really trimmed up, and he’s cut in some areas that he didn’t have the definition in before," Gard said of Blackwell. "And he’s come with a more dominant mentality. As you can see when we play, he has the ability to take over and really dominate games.”
This isn’t just about Blackwell taking another step — it’s about him stepping into a starring role. Last season, he earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament team, finishing as Wisconsin’s second-leading scorer. He led the Badgers in scoring 11 times, dropped four games with 25 or more points, and capped it off with a career-high 32-point explosion against Iowa.
Simply put, Blackwell isn’t just coming back older — he’s coming back ready to be the guy now that John Tonje is in the NBA. And for a Wisconsin team learning how to play together, that’s the kind of anchor they can build around. And the most promising part? He’s got help.
Nick Boyd is bringing speed Wisconsin hasn’t seen
Nick Boyd has made quite the impression since arriving in Madison. The 6-foot-3 guard, who comes to Wisconsin by way of Florida Atlantic and San Diego State, has been electric in summer practice.
How electric? Coach Gard joked they almost needed helmets.
“We should have put helmets on players because a few almost had some concussions with the passes that he threw,” Gard said. “It was like, ‘Hey, just get ready because he sees you. It’s coming.’ We haven’t had that in terms of the speed and the ability to deliver the ball that he brings. So our bigs and our screeners have to get used to the ball coming at a pretty hot pace. If you’re screening for him, he’s probably going to hit you in some way, shape, or form. He’s going to find a way to get the ball to you.
"He just makes so many things happen with the ball.”
But it’s not just the speed. Boyd brings poise, playmaking, and a veteran presence Wisconsin has sorely needed. He’s logged over 100 career games, played in three NCAA Tournaments, and was part of FAU’s Final Four run. Last season at San Diego State, he averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, starting every contest. His 2.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and 35% clip from three-point range make him a reliable playmaker who can both run the offense and stretch the floor.
Gard has even kept Boyd and Blackwell on opposite teams in scrimmages to stoke their competitive fire — two natural alphas pushing each other.
“He’s a terrific leader, really vocal, extremely competitive,” Gard said. “He’s positive. He holds guys accountable. He holds himself accountable. He works every day in the weight room. He’s just at another level in terms of the maturity and the leadership that he brings. And that’s what you want from your point guard. The combination of leadership, ability, athleticism, speed, and how he sees the game, all those things rolled into one—it puts him in a position to really impact our team in a positive way.”
For a Wisconsin team in need of a steady hand and a spark at the point, Boyd looks ready to deliver both. His arrival also gives Blackwell the freedom to slide back into his more natural off-ball role, where he can focus on getting to his spots and scoring, while still having the flexibility to bring the ball up when needed. And with Boyd capable of playing off the ball as well, the two complement each other in ways that could make this backcourt one of the most versatile and dynamic in the Big Ten.
Nolan Winter’s physical leap
If you’ve been wondering when Wisconsin’s frontcourt will take the next step, Gard didn’t hesitate to point out junior big man Nolan Winter.
“Nolan, I think he’s close to 250 now in terms of his weight,” Gard said. “There’s been nobody, really, I felt that hasn’t taken a jump. I think the weight room has been really good for them. It’s been something that they haven’t been accustomed to in the other places they’ve been at. So that’s been a little bit of a transition and a good experience for them because their bodies are changing and getting challenged in ways they haven’t in the past. But Nolan’s made some pretty serious jumps.”
While Winter didn’t suggest he’s quite hit the 250-pound mark that Gard mentioned, the 7-footer did note he’s made a point this offseason to focus on extra meals and dedicated time in the weight room with Jim Snider to keep adding good weight. His target? Somewhere around 245 pounds, a playing weight he believes will help him hold up physically while still leaning into the mobility and skill that make his game so effective.
Winter’s trajectory looks as promising as anyone’s on the roster. The Minnesota native has quietly transformed himself from a skilled stretch big into someone who can handle the grind of Big Ten play. He’s added size, toughness, and maybe most importantly, the confidence and edge you need when you’re stepping into a bigger role.
Winter started all 37 games last season, averaging 9.4 points and 5.8 rebounds on an efficient 56.4% from the field, despite playing just 21 minutes a night. His 35.8% shooting from 3-point territory isn’t just window dressing either; he’s a legitimate floor spacer, giving Wisconsin the kind of pick-and-pop or trail-three threat that modern offenses need.
But here’s why it matters now: Wisconsin’s frontcourt rotation is almost entirely new. With Steven Crowl, Carter Gilmore, and Xavier Amos gone, Winter isn’t just another piece; he’s the focal point. They’ll need him to anchor the middle, even if “playing center” in the Big Ten looks different today than it did a decade ago. That means taking on more scoring responsibility and increased physicality over the course of a season.
And with international forward Aleksas Bieliauskas arriving, young talent like Riccardo Greppi, and true freshman Will Garlock from Middleton, who assistant Joe Krabbenhoft called “as athletic as I’ve seen, running to the rim and finishing above it” plus the addition of Temple transfer Elijah Gray, a senior with real experience, Winter’s role only becomes more central.
Everyone in the building sees it. Winter has the modern skill set, the added size to his frame, and the year-over-year growth that screams breakout. The ceiling here? It’s as high as he’s willing to chase.
Andrew Rohde a nice system fit
A big theme of Wisconsin’s portal approach this offseason was about finding the right fits to build around their core returning pieces. That’s where Andrew Rohde comes in.
The 6-foot-6 in-state product arrives from Virginia with the kind of versatility Wisconsin knew it needed. And while fans might initially look at his scoring ability, it’s his passing that’s turned heads in the gym.
“I think he really likes playing in this system. I think it fits him," said Gard. "As much as he scores and does, I think his passing may be his best attribute. I mean, at his size and how he can play in the ball screens, I’ve seen the passing really shine from day one. And I think he's another guy that the experience shows. There are a lot of new things offensively that we’re doing that he hasn’t done in the past, but it fits exactly who he is as a player and his skill level. And if you can play with the ball in your hands and play fast and play in ball screens, you’re going to love playing in this.
"He commented about how good it felt to be in, playing at the pace and in the spacing of the floor, the movement, and all the things that we’ve been able to incorporate within this system. They fit him pretty well.”
That’s more than just lip service. Rohde started 26 games last season for Virginia, averaging 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He became one of their most reliable playmakers, shooting 43.2% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc on 3.5 attempts per game, and connecting on 77.3% of his attempts at the free throw line.
His assist-to-turnover numbers were also impressive. Rohde had 129 assists to just 55 turnovers last season, a 2.34-to-1 ratio, and joined a rare statistical club. Since 2008, only three high-major players 6-foot-6 or taller have posted a 25% assist rate while shooting 40% or better from deep on 100+ shot attempts: Lonzo Ball, Desmond Bane, and Rohde.
That’s the kind of selfless, high-IQ, multi-dimensional player Wisconsin has added. He's someone who doesn’t just slot into the system but elevates it. And in a backcourt now stacked with experience and versatility, Rohde gives Wisconsin another reason to believe this roster isn’t just about replacing pieces — it’s about adding layers to the offense.
And for anyone wondering who handles backup point guard duties, here’s the truth: Wisconsin doesn’t have a shortage of options. They have an abundance. Rohde, Blackwell, Boyd — all three can bring the ball up and run the offense for stretches. That’s a luxury, especially in a system that’s become even more positionless and only promises to improve the team’s spacing moving forward. The Badgers' starting backcourt is really good.
A program adjusting to the modern era
One of the most interesting revelations from Gard wasn’t about a player, but about the program itself. Gard spoke at length about elevating Marc VandeWettering into a general manager role, a kind of front-office move more common in professional sports than in college programs until now.
“Chief of staff is just another fancy name for general manager, or whatever you want to call it, front office,” Gard said with a smile. “I don't see him now, he's hard to get a hold of… he became one of them.”
But don’t mistake this for a vanity title.
According to Gard, VandeWettering’s role is critical as college basketball moves into the revenue-share era and NIL-fueled roster management.
What does that mean practically? He’s running six months ahead of the program, already thinking about retention, contracts, and roster construction for 2026–27 while the coaching staff is focused on today.
“He’s forecasting, not only with the revenue share — we’re having to spin a lot of new plates with how this is all going to work under the House settlement, the clearinghouse, everything going forward,” Gard explained. “We just let him run down the road ahead. So when we get there as a program, as a team, when it’s time next spring or late this fall to try to re-sign guys for 2026-27 or build a roster for the spring of ’26, he’s already out in front.”
And it’s not just spreadsheets and scholarship math. Gard called it what it is: a professional sports model.
“Agent relations, conversations with agents, developing relationships, understanding which agents have what players, not only on the high school side but internationally and here in the States. There are just so many things he can run ahead on and stay out in front of us. I think that’s going to help. Not that we won’t be there and listen and have input."
In short, this is the future of roster building in college athletics. And for Wisconsin, it’s not just about keeping up — it’s about staying ahead.
Gard even acknowledged that to make this shift happen, they had to pull some of VandeWettering’s old operational duties off his plate.
“We were going to bury him under the Kohl Center if we kept piling stuff on his plate,” Gard joked.
Expect Wisconsin to make a new operations hire soon, freeing up VandeWettering to focus on what Gard calls the “front office” duties.
It’s another sign that Wisconsin is adapting, not just to the players they want on the court, but to the entire way college basketball operates off it.
Final thoughts
It’s easy to overhype a summer workout. It’s even easier to crown a team offseason winners in July that hasn’t taken a meaningful shot yet. But the signs around this Wisconsin team suggest something notable is brewing.
They didn’t just plug gaps. They raised the floor, raised the ceiling, and added fuel to the internal competition. There’s more pace, more shooting, plenty of experience, and competition at every spot. There’s also a head coach who knows the marathon ahead—and isn’t about to skip steps.
"Like I just reminded them, ‘Hey, it’s July, right?’ We’ve got a long way to go yet before we even start the official practice, let alone a first game or the start of conference play," Gard explained.
"But you don’t want to waste days either, right? We want to make sure we maximize everything we have here. We don’t want to look back in October and November and go, ‘Man, I wish I had a couple more days back in June or July or August.’ So, this group has done a good job of toeing that line."
This program has, by far, the clearest identity it’s had in the Gard era—on offense, in how it builds the roster, and in how it’s thinking creatively about staying competitive in today’s revenue-driven era. With a returning core of Blackwell and Winter, plus transfers like Rapp, Boyd, and Rohde, Wisconsin has put together a group that looks dynamic, full of shooting, versatile, and built to play exactly the way this staff envisions.
There’s still real competition to sort out, especially when it comes to who will round out the top bench spots. But out of that, you can see an eight- or nine-man rotation taking shape that should make this staff (and this fan base) feel optimistic as it comes together. Of course, it’s hard to project exactly how that translates to wins and losses, especially after losing an All-American like Tonje to the NBA. But as it stands today, this has all the makings of another NCAA Tournament-caliber team.
The Badgers will tell the rest of the story when the lights come on this winter. But make no mistake—the foundation is being poured right now. And they don’t want to waste a second.
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I'm going to be filling my thunderstorm time this weekend with a concentrated read of all this. Got to believe all these developments add up to huge potential for a remarkable season across the board. Looking forward to absorbing the insight you have provided here. THANK YOU DILLON!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great article. Really hope the defense takes a step this year. Love the faster pace. I think our downfall last year with so many close losses was we couldn’t get stops in those games in key moments. Anyway, I really miss Tonje. There are few players we’ve had that I felt an attachment too (I.e. Devin, Alando, Frank).