NFL
By: Melo Williams
Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Basketball hosted their yearly open practice for local media to get an up close look of the 2026-27 team.
The 2026-27 Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team is in preparations for another season with major change to its roster.
“I think the era we’re in has helped me maybe evolve or modify my approach to things just because of, we know every year the transient nature of a roster,” Gard said. “You know, we have 8 or 9 new guys this year. Knowing that you have to be more fluid, and we’ve had preparation with other roster uncertainty at times. Who’s back, who’s not back. So, it puts you in a different state of mind, where you’re more accepting of the uncertainty.”
Practice Notes: My Biggest Takeaways
•Shooters on deck- Badgers backcourt is loaded with shooters with bigs that can stretch the floor.
•Owen Foxwell’s poise running the point is impressive. His experience handling pressure will be valuable.
•Zach Kinziger showed flashes of brilliance at the point displaying excellent court vision, control, and passing.
•Eian Elmer impressed shooting and scoring the ball off the dribble.
•Will Garlock showed flashes of big things to come.
•Victory Onuetu rim protection will be a major positive for the Badgers defense.
•Wisconsin’s depth is skilled.
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Q&A
G LaTrevion Fenderson
Biggest Adjustment: “The physicality of all the practices that we had from all the older guys. At the beginning I was getting pushed around a little bit, now I’m getting adjusted, playing defense better, getting to the basket and scoring a little bit.”
Biggest Adjustment as a Player: “I made my biggest adjustment slowing the game down, seeing what I have at all times, and just making the right reads at all times.”
G Josh Manchester
Owen Foxwell/Zach Kinziger Running the Point: “They both do a great job of putting us all in positions to be successful.”
Change in Offense?: “It’s hard to replace Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, they’re great players.” “The team still wants to play really fast and push the ball. I believe in the new group of guys being able to play fast but also work the offense and get really good looks.”
G Eian Elmer
Badgers Offense vs Miami OH: “Honestly I’ll say it’s pretty similar. I feel like I’m creating my own shots some more here. The offense is play out of ball screens, creates alot of space, defense have to rotate, so it’s a lot of similar shots.”
Adjustment to Badgers Defense: “I feel like it was pretty quick. Defense at the end of the day is effort. If I make a mistake, I just rotate and try to make up for it.”
G Hayden Jones
Biggest Adjustment From Year 1 to Year 2: “Having the one year experience I knew what it was going to be like coming into this year. Also over the summer I got my body in better shape, gotten stronger and put more size on. Confidence was another big thing for me that I struggled a little bit with last year so this year I’m looking to improve that.”
Improved Versatility: “Probably on defense, I think I’ve taken a step forward on that, defending bigger guys on the floor.”
G Jackson Ball
Leadership Impact: “Being more poised. I’ve had a little bit of over seas professional experience, so being more of a calming factor if and when I get on the court.”
His Strengths: “Reading the defense. The athleticism is ridiculous here, but being able to make those reads also are really important, being safe with the ball. Win the position game and you’re most likely to win the game, and being able to adapt to the physicality.”
Team Depth and Size: “We’ve talked about ii quite a bit in the locker room and how big we are compared to the last few years. Having that depth gives guys like Nolan Winter and Austin Rapp the opportunity to go all out knowing they have guys behind them that can give them a rest when they need. It also frees the guards up when defenses are so focused on guys like Nolan knowing he’s shooting the ball and getting downhill, it just gives more space for the guards to play with freedom and do what they do.”
Nolan Winter Versatility: “Nolan’s a really smart player which I’ve noticed more than anything with him. He knows he’s going to be really targeted with defenses and we have full trust in him to make the right play every play. He’s able to find shooters, the gaps are gonna open up because he’s such a talented player. He’s gonna be unreal.”
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The Badgers will tip off their exhibition schedule Saturday at the Kohl Center against UW-Parkside.
Head Coach Greg Gard Press Conference (10-6-26)
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z2cmaTaPLHA?is=5P9h04HWRtmbUF5-
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