Wisconsin Basketball Media Day Notebook: Thoughts & Takeaways
Wisconsin MBB local media day notebook.
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin men's basketball program welcomed reporters to the Kohl Center for local media day on Wednesday afternoon, and BadgerNotes.com writer Dillon Graff was in attendance.
Here are a few of my key takeaways that came out of Badgers media day -- and the practice session that followed -- so let's dive in.
Wisconsin MBB Thoughts, Observations, & Other Badgers Ramblings From Local Media Day.
The first nugget worth mentioning is that the Wisconsin basketball team officials announced Steven Crowl, Max Klesmit, and Carter Gilmore were all being re-classified to juniors ahead of the 2023-24 season. That's because the trio has already decided to exercise their COVID year and return for their extra season of eligibility.
Coach Gard acknowledged that he was thrilled to have all three players back in the fold but would "shove them out the door with both hands" if they become lottery picks.
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Gus Yalden returned to practice on Wednesday after being held out because of a scooter accident -- and let me tell you, he is as advertised. Now down 42 pounds, the 6-foot-9 big man looked terrific in the low post.
Thought he looked comfortable establishing his position, remaining patient, and winning on the low block with footwork. It's too early to tell how rotations will shake out -- but Yalden looked the part of someone who could provide frontcourt minutes from day one.
"I'm going to do whatever the team needs me to do, 20 minutes a game, 0 minutes a game, redshirt, whatever the coaching staff needs me to do, Yalden told BadgerNotes. "I'm going to step up and play whatever role coach Gard needs of me to the best of my ability."
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During the practice session open to the media, I thought Wisconsin basketball freshman combo guard John Blackwell really popped. The 6-foot-4 Michigan native has a suddenness and subtle confidence that looks more like someone who has been in the program for several years.
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