Greg Gard’s dilemma is that he already has a plethora of forwards and guards. While he could theoretically take one or two more, he is already at six. Last season, Wisconsin intended to begin the season with seven scholarship bigs and seven scholarship guards/wings. That changed when Elijah Gray was fired from the squad, and the Badgers finished the season with seven guards and six bigs.
Gard prefers a balanced squad, but he currently has significantly more guards than forwards. (The official Badger website only lists forwards and guards. ) However, the depth chart reveals even more about the roster’s demands.
Wisconsin Basketball’s current depth chart
Center
Nolan Winter
Will Garlock
Forward
Austin Rapp
Wing/Small Forward
Jack Janicki
Hayden Jones
LaTrevion Fenderson
Shooting Guard
Zach Kinziger
Jackson Ball
Point Guard
Owen Foxwell
Greg Gard’s transfer portal priorities are in two key areas.
It isn’t as thrilling as it appears. Wisconsin requires improvements in nearly every location, which is telling. The two top positions for anyone who follows Wisconsin basketball have to be at forward and shooting guard.
There must be depth at the bigs as well. Having only three total bigs and the next tallest individual after Austin Rapp is 6’6″, Hayden Jones is not ideal. As a result, the depth chart shows that Wisconsin should focus on a scoring guard as the primary money spent. A backup or rotational forward, as well as depth at big man and possibly another guard, depending on how Gard feels about the rookie.
If Wisconsin manages to sign Zavier Zens in the recruiting class, finding another big man becomes even more important. Because one more guard is expected to improve and sit on the bench next season.
Don’t be shocked if Hayden Jones begins where Andrew Rohde left off last year. Nor if Austin Rapp returns to the starting lineup. That would make it so. Foxwell, Jones, Rapp, and Winter have already secured four of the five starting places. That shooting guard position will be crucial, as every Wisconsin supporter is aware, but Gard will rely on depth.
