Wisconsin basketball took the court at the Kohl Center on Wednesday for one final tune-up before the start of the 2024-2025 season.
Adjusting that was one thing scrimmage against UW-River Fallsthat the Badgers won 78-62.
Related: Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings Entering the 2024-2025 Season: A First Look at the Expanded Conference
The live action gave us our first glimpse of the 2024-25 Badgers, including offseason additions John Tonje, Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos, and freshman Daniel Freitag. Tonje, a transfer from Missouri, led the team in scoring with 15 points. He was followed by veteran forwards Steven Crowl and Carter Gilmore with 14 and nine points, respectively.
While the big insights from the scrimmage are limited, the play did provide a first look at how the Badgers could line up to start the season. That new starting rotation and depth form a substantial storyline heading into Monday’s season opener against Holy Cross following the offseason departures of stars Chucky Hepburn, AJ Storr and Tyler Wahl.
There is no shortage of playing time available for what appears to be a deep and talented roster. The first few weeks of the season will provide an important first look at who will capitalize on that opportunity.
With the Badgers taking the field in an official capacity on November 4, it’s time for a final projection of their entire starting lineup and rotation heading into a promising 2024-2025 season:
March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) celebrates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 28.6 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 44% shooting, 39% from 3.
Klesmit was quietly one of Wisconsin’s best players last season, if not the best. He enters the 2024-2025 season as the Badgers’ unquestioned leader in the backcourt following the departure of Chucky Hepburn.
March 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) reacts to causing a turnover against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 18.3 minutes, 8.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.5 steals, 45% shooting, 47% from 3
Blackwell is a popular breakout prospect entering the 2024-2025 season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s the team’s best option by the end of the season. He is at least a lock for a starting spot.
Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) makes a move on UW-River Falls guard Zac Johnson (23) during the second half of their preseason game on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Statistics 2023-24 (in Missouri): 9.8 minutes, 2.6 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals
Tonje made an immediate appearance during Wisconsin’s win over UW-River Falls, leading the team in shots (3/11), free throws (8/9) and points (15). He seems the furthest along of the Badgers’ three major transfer signings.
March 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) celebrates his basket against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 9.6 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.2 steals, 42% shooting
Winter’s spot in the Badgers’ starting lineup on Wednesday was a mild surprise. He projects more as a backup behind Steven Crowl in center, then assumes the starting job after Crowl leaves. Winter’s presence in the starting group could say more about the fact that transfer F Xavier Amos is still a long way from securing a primary position.
March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) celebrates his three-point basket against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 28.9 minutes, 11.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.4 blocks, 57.8% shooting, 45% from 3.
Crowl will be a primary option for the 2024-25 Badgers, and perhaps the team’s most important player. The veteran is one of only five players in D-1 this season to make more than 100 starts with the same program. That kind of longevity is rare in college basketball these days.
March 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) reacts to causing a turnover against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 8.2 minutes, 2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 54.5% shooting, 30% from 3.
Kamari McGee came out of nowhere last season and had a big impact. The Badgers won with him on the floor and struggled when he was out with an injury. McGee’s role should only increase this season with several guards gone from last year’s team. Gard has shown he likes McGee’s role as an energy booster off the bench, while still playing 15 to 17 minutes a night.
Wisconsin guard Daniel Freitag (5) drives along the baseline during the second half of their preseason game on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
247Sports rankings: No. 103 in Class of 2024, No. 11 point guard, No. 3 Minnesota State
Freitag is a player who should step up as the season progresses. It shouldn’t be a surprise if his minutes are numbered at the start, especially given Gard’s wealth of options at the position. That won’t change his projection as the future of the program at point guard.
March 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (14) plays ball defense by Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Statistics 2023-24: 9.4 minutes, 1.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 49% shooting
Gilmore’s minutes dipped in 2023-24 after playing nearly 19 minutes per night during the 2022-23 season. This year, the project is closer to last year’s minutes total, although opportunities exist without veteran Tyler Wahl in the starting lineup. Gilmore played 13 minutes during the Badgers scrimmage, scoring 14 points on 3/3 shooting from three. The veteran forward will see significant playing time as his three-point shot develops.
Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos (13) is fouled by UW-River Falls guard Sean Sullivan (13) during the second half of their preseason game on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Statistics 2023-24 (in Northern Illinois): 30.9 minutes, 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks on 57% shooting and 38% from 3
Amos played just seven minutes in the Badgers’ opening scrimmage. He is part of Wisconsin’s forward rotation, but may be further away from the starting lineup than initially thought. Winter’s place in the starting five shows this, as does Carter Gilmore’s prominent role off the bench.
Wisconsin guard Camren Hunter (3) is guarded by UW-River Falls’ Reggie Postel (14) during the second half of their preseason game on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Statistics 2023-2024 (in Central Arkansas): Did not play (injury)
Hunter played five minutes in the Badgers’ scrimmage win, scoring three points on 1/1 shooting. He has the potential to work into the Badgers’ rotation as the season progresses. It is reasonable to expect the revival to be gradual after missing the entire 2023/24 season due to injury.
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 7: Markus Ilver #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers takes a shot at Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at State Farm Center on January 7, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Statistics 2023-24: 5.9 minutes, 1.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 31% shooting
Ilver has yet to earn a significant rotation spot in his first three years with the Badgers. 2024-25 could be different if the scrimmage is any indication. He played a total of nine minutes and was one of the first to come off the bench. 2/3 shooting from deep is a good representation of what he brings when he’s on the floor.
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 30: Chris Hodges #21 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots a free throw during the second half of the game against the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds at Kohl Center on October 30, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
- PF Chris Hodges
- G Jack Janicki
- C Riccardo Greppi
Janicki got 10 minutes of action in Wisconsin’s scrimmage win. He could be a player to keep an eye on as his career continues, even if he doesn’t break into the 2024-2025 rotation.
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