Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball: A New Era Begins
The 2022-23 season marks a new era for Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball.
After Greg Gard led the program to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, he stepped down in March 2023, making way for the arrival of new head coach Luke Fickell.
Fickell, who previously led the University of Cincinnati football team to six bowl games in six seasons, brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to Madison.
He inherits a talented roster led by senior guard Chucky Hepburn, who averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 assists per game last season.
Hepburn will be joined in the backcourt by junior guard Max Klesmit, who shot 40.9% from three-point range last season.
In the frontcourt, the Badgers will be led by junior forward Tyler Wahl, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.
Wahl will be joined by senior forward Steven Crowl, who averaged 9.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season.
The Badgers will also welcome a highly touted recruiting class that includes four-star recruits Connor Essegian and Nolan Winter.
Essegian is a 6-foot-9 forward who is considered one of the best shooters in the country.
Winter is a 6-foot-5 guard who is known for his athleticism and playmaking ability.
With a talented roster and a new head coach, the Badgers are poised for a successful 2022-23 season.
Here are some key storylines to watch for:
- Can Fickell translate his success on the football field to the basketball court?
- Can Hepburn and Klesmit form one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten?
- Can Wahl and Crowl continue to be a force in the paint?
- Can the Badgers make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament?
The Badgers will open their season on November 7th against South Dakota.
They will then face a challenging non-conference schedule that includes games against Marquette, Purdue, and UCLA.
The Badgers will open their Big Ten schedule on December 2nd against Illinois.
They will then face a tough conference schedule that includes games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana.
The Badgers are hoping to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season.
They have not reached the Sweet 16 since 2017.
With a talented roster and a new head coach, the Badgers have the potential to make a run to the Final Four this season.
