Wisconsin Basketball Red-White Scrimmage: Here’s What Stood Out
Here's what stood out from the Badgers red-white scrimmage.
Wisconsin men's basketball gave Badgers fans a sneak peek at the team ahead of the upcoming 2023-2024 season during its annual red-white scrimmage, held on a Sunday afternoon at The Kohl Center.
The white team defeated the red squad handily, 69-51.
Which team are you taking in the Red-White Scrimmage? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/d43z7ozpur
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) October 15, 2023
BadgerNotes.com, accompanied by my beautiful wife and daughter, were on site and collectively had a few takeaways from the scrimmage.
UW Found Another Gem From Minnesota: Nolan Winter
On Sunday afternoon, true freshman forward Nolan Winter was arguably one of the scrimmage's top performers. The Lakeville North standout showcased his talents with a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double in 26 plus minutes. He also chipped in two blocks and a steal.
Despite his lean frame at 6-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Winter showed toughness and willingness to battle while defending opposing bigs on the low block. His athleticism and overall fluidity also stood out -- along with his ability to alter shots.
"He [Winter] showed some things that we've seen in practice," Gard told reporters. "That's why we recruited him as hard as we did. I think he's getting more and more comfortable with the strength he's gained."
You don't want to make too much of one performance -- but Winter brought his A game and threw his hat firmly into the ring of Wisconsin basketball front-court players vying for minutes behind Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl.
It's also worth noting that during player introductions, his walk-out song was "When it Rains, it Pours," by Luke Combs -- so consider me stock all the way up on Nolan Winter.
AJ Storr's Game-Changing Abilities on Full Display
UW's athletic void left by Johnny Davis departing for the NBA draft has been filled by St. John's transfer portal addition AJ Storr.
To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is such an impressive athlete, and his ability to make plays in transition was on full display all afternoon.
A standout moment was when Kamari McGee swiped the ball from Connor Essegian and initiated a fast break. With a quick glance over his shoulder, McGee enticed his defender closer before delivering a pinpoint lob to Storr. With ease, Storr finished the play with an emphatic slam.
Got something in Storr this season@KamariMcGee ↗️ @storr_aj pic.twitter.com/mwVapGyvAQ
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) October 15, 2023
In total, Storr scored 15 points, converting 6 of his 13 field goal attempts, including two three-pointers, and secured two rebounds in 29 minutes.
"He [Storr] can make plays out of nothing, Gard said. "He can make plays out of his size and athleticism. He knows where the basket is."
Regardless of his role for Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball team this season, Storr will be a core member of the Badgers rotation. Book it.