Wisconsin Basketball Starting Roster, 2024-2025 Rotation Forecast

Wisconsin basketball teams took the court at the Kohl Center on Wednesday for final tune-ups before the start of the 2024-25 season.

This setting was scrimmage vs. UW-River Fallswhich the Badgers won 78–62.

Connected: Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings Enter 2024-25 Season: First Look at Expanded Conference

The live stream gave us our first look at the 2024-25 Badgers, including offseason recruits John Tonier, Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos, as well as top recruit Daniel Freitag. Tonye, a transfer from Missouri, led the team in scoring with 15 points. He was followed by veteran forwards Stephen Crowl and Carter Gilmore with 14 and nine points, respectively.

While the overall scrimmage picture is limited, the event did provide the first glimpse of how the Badgers might line up to start the season. That new starting rotation and depth is an important storyline going into Monday’s season opener against Holy Crest following the offseason departures of stars Chuckie Hepburn, AJ Storr and Tyler Wohl.

There is no shortage of playing time for what appears to be a deep and talented roster. The opening weeks of the season will be an important first look at who will take advantage of this opportunity.

With the Badgers set to take the court in an official capacity on November 4th, it’s time for a final projection of their full starting lineup and rotation heading into a promising 2024-25 season:

March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmith (11) celebrates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cron – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 2023–24: 28.6 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 44% shooting, 39% from 3.

Klesmith was one of the best players in Wisconsin last season, if not the best. He enters the 2024-25 season as the Badgers’ undisputed leader in the backcourt following the departure of Chuckie Hepburn.

March 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) reacts to turnovers during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Kohl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 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 candidate to break out in the 2024-25 season. It wouldn’t be surprising if he became the team’s best player by the end of the season. At least it is a starting point.

Wisconsin defensive end John Tonier (9) tackles UW-River Falls defensive end Zach Johnson (23) during the second half of a preseason game Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Statistics for the 2023-24 season (in Missouri): 9.8 minutes, 2.6 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals

Tonje made an immediate appearance in Wisconsin’s win over UW-River Falls, leading the team in shots (3/11), free throws (8/9) and points (15). He appears to be the furthest away from the Badgers’ three big transfers.

March 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) celebrates his first-half performance against the Maryland Terrapins at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cron – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 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 came as a mild surprise. He acts more as a back-up to Steven Crowl in the center, to then take over the starting position after Crowl leaves. Winter’s presence in the starting group may indicate more that transfer Xavier Amos is still a long way from securing a starting position.

March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Stephen Crowl (22) celebrates his 3-pointer against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cron – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 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 the Badgers’ starter in 2024-25 and arguably the team’s most important player. The veteran is one of five D-1 players this season with more than 100 starts for 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 turnovers against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 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 and made a big impact last season. 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 defensemen departing from last year’s team. Gard has enjoyed McGee’s role as a boost of energy off the bench and continues to play 15-17 minutes a night.

Wisconsin guard Daniel Freytag (5) drives along the baseline during the second half of a preseason game Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

247Sports rating: No. 103 in 2024 class, No. 11 point guard, No. 3 overall in Minnesota.

Freitag is a player who needs to prove himself as the season progresses. It wouldn’t be surprising if his starting minutes are numbered, especially given the wealth of options Guard has at the position. That won’t change his outlook for the program’s point guard’s future.

March 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (14) defends the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Luke Goode (10) during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cron – USA TODAY Sports

Statistics for 2023–24: 9.4 minutes, 1.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 49% shooting

Gilmore’s minutes have decreased in 2023-24 after playing nearly 19 minutes a night in 2022-23. This year’s minutes totals are close to last year’s, although the possibility exists without veteran Tyler Wahl in the starting lineup. Gilmore played 13 minutes against the Badgers and scored 14 points on 3/3 shooting from three. The veteran forward will get significant playing time if his three-point shot develops.

Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos (13) was fouled by UW-River Falls guard Sean Sullivan (13) during the second half of a preseason game on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2023-24 Stats (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’ first scrimmage. He’s part of Wisconsin’s forward rotation, but may end up further away from the starting lineup than initially expected. This is evidenced by Winter’s place in the starting five, as well as Carter Gilmore’s outstanding role on the bench.

Wisconsin guard Camren Hunter (3) is guarded by UW-River Falls player Reggie Postel (14) during the second half of a preseason game Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2023-24 Stats (in Central Arkansas): Didn’t play (injury)

Hunter played five minutes in the Badgers’ win, scoring three points at 1/1. He has the potential to work in the Badgers’ rotation as the season progresses. It’s reasonable to expect the rise to be gradual since he missed the entire 2023-24 season due to injury.

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 7: Marcus Ilver #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers hits Coleman Hawkins #33 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first inning at State Farm Center on January 7, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Statistics for 2023–24: 5.9 minutes, 1.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 31% shooting.

Ilver has yet to earn a significant spot in the rotation in his first three years with the Badgers. The 2024/25 season could be different if the scrimmage is anything to go by. He played a total of nine minutes and was one of the first to come off the bench. Shooting 2/3 from deep is a good indication of what he will bring to 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 the Kohl Center on October 30, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

PF Chris Hodges
J. Jack Janicki
C Riccardo Greppi

Janicki got 10 minutes of action in Wisconsin’s win. He could be a player to keep an eye on as his career continues, even if he doesn’t make the 2024-25 rotation.

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