Badgers’ future looks bright
MADISON – Greg Gard understands predicting future results can be foolhardy.
For example, Wisconsin was picked sixth in a preseason poll of Big Ten basketball writers last fall.
The Badgers, in a season teeming with surprises in the Big Ten, won their final eight games to secure a share of the regular-season title at 14-6, along with Michigan State and Maryland.
They accomplished that feat despite having to replace three seniors, including All-American Ethan Happ, who was a three-time, first-team Big Ten pick.
With seven key players expected back next season, complemented by a touted recruiting class of six players, UW likely will be picked to contend for another Big Ten title.
That is to be determined.
But Gard, who has a 101-57 overall mark in five seasons as head coach, is certain the 2019-'20 team reminded everyone what can be accomplished when talented players demonstrate selflessness and commitment.
“I think what this group has accomplished is this,” Gard said. “You can talk about culture. You can talk about the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. But the actions and results speak much louder than the words.
“So for them to watch this and see it and feel it up close, I think that does anything more than I can say. Nothing is ever guaranteed going forward. You still have to navigate through seasons.
“But what this group has accomplished is a true example of all the things we talk about – team, team, team – this group just latched onto that.
“And look where it took them.” UW loses fifth-year senior guard Brevin Pritzl, who enjoyed his best overall season by contributing 8.0 points and 3.7 rebounds and shooting 37.0% from three-point range, and reserve Michael Ballard.
“They left the program on an extremely positive note and the culture and the program are extremely strong right now,” Gard said, “and those guys have had a big part in putting that in the right direction.”
Barring an unexpected transfer, UW returns forwards Nate Reuvers (13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Micah Potter (10.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Aleem Ford (8.6 ppg 4.4 rpg) and Tyler
Wahl (2.6 ppg, 2.6 rp); and guards D'Mitrik Trice (9.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg), Brad Davison (9.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Trevor Anderson (1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg).
Gard and his staff add front-court players Ben Carlson and Steven Crowl, two of the better players in Minnesota; Detroit point guard Lorne Bowman, one of the top players in Michigan; twin guards Jonathan and Jordan Davis from La Crosse Central; and preferred walk-on Carter Gilmore, a versatile forward from Arrowhead High School who had several Division 1 offers.
Gard loved the feedback he received during the season from the incoming class.
“I think they absolutely loved what they saw,” he said. “I got text messages from the guys and they reveled in it.”
So, too, did the staff.
From the tragic auto accident involving assistant Howard Moore on Memorial Day weekend to the departure of guard Kobe King with 11 Big Ten games left, the players and coaches must have felt at times as if they were under siege from outside forces.
Yet UW rallied to win its final eight games and finish 9-2 without King. The Badgers finished the season 9-3 in Big Ten games decided by single digits. They were 3-3 in such games after a six-point loss Jan. 27 at Iowa but they won their final six games decided by single digits.
“We were almost in a playoff situation,” said Gard, referring to his team's eightgame winning streak to close the regular season. “We had to win and keep pace and stay within arm's reach of the teams that were ahead of us. They've handled pressure situations pretty well …
“This group acquired a toughness and a resolve they didn't have in November and December. They grew up and figured some things out and got a little grit to them.”