By David Giardino
After a rollercoaster 2024 campaign, the Wisconsin Badgers entered the offseason at a crossroads. In many ways, the team had turned a corner — reinventing its offensive identity and averaging over 80 points per game for the first time in recent memory. But despite the dramatic improvements on the offensive end, Wisconsin’s season came to an abrupt end with a second-round NCAA Tournament exit at the hands of BYU.
The loss marked more than just the end of the season — it signaled the closing of a chapter. The Badgers were set to graduate three starters: leading scorer John Tonje, who provided much-needed shot creation and all-around play; Max Klesmit, the emotional heartbeat of the team and a 3 and D stalwart; and Steven Crowl, the versatile big man whose presence impacted both ends of the floor. Alongside them, veterans Carter Gilmore and Kamari McGhee — both key depth pieces — graduated, stripping the roster of experience.
What was once one of the oldest teams in college basketball suddenly got a lot younger.
Wisconsin, however, didn’t blink. With Tonje, Klesmit and McGhee all being successful transfer additions in the past, the blueprint was clear — rebuild through the portal. But before looking outward, the first task was retention. Within weeks of the season’s end, the staff locked in the team’s two most promising young stars: Nolan Winter, a stretch big with athletic upside and John Blackwell, a dynamic wing with scoring potential and a high motor. Add in the return of intriguing bench piece Jack Janicki, and the Badgers had their foundation.
From there, the focus shifted. Wisconsin needed experience, versatility and scoring — and they turned to the portal to find it. What followed was a calculated effort to reshape the roster with three key additions who bring a mix of talent, maturity and upside.
Wisconsin’s first move in the transfer portal wasn’t just about roster fit — it was about making a statement. By landing Andrew Rohde, a Madison native, the Badgers not only filled a key positional need but reclaimed one of the state’s most talented products. After initially slipping through the cracks out of high school, Rohde returns home with a well-developed skill set and the chance to make a major impact. Just as importantly, Wisconsin secured Rohde’s services by beating out Iowa State, a program that’s made a habit of poaching top Wisconsin talent in recent years.
Rohde’s game is built around his shooting. He’s an elite-level marksman with a lightning-quick release, able to knock down shots off the catch, coming off movement, or pulling up off the dribble. On a team that thrived offensively last season by spacing the floor and hunting mismatches, Rohde’s shooting gravity is a perfect addition. He brings a similar offensive profile to the departing Max Klesmit, but with even more polish and scoring versatility.
Beyond the jumper, Rohde brings a well-rounded offensive game. He’s comfortable operating in the pick-and-roll, shows solid decision-making as a secondary playmaker and has the size and craft to finish on both sides of the rim. He may not be an elite ball handler, but he doesn’t need to be — his ability to attack off closeouts, read help and keep the ball moving will mesh well with returning creators like John Blackwell and Nolan Winter.
Defensively, Rohde likely won’t be asked to hound opposing guards the way Klesmit did. But having spent last season in Virginia’s system, he enters Madison with a strong understanding of team defense principles. Wisconsin, like Virginia, relies on communication, help-side awareness and positional discipline — and Rohde’s experience in a similarly demanding scheme should ease his transition. While he might not be an elite individual stopper, his buy-in and length will keep him serviceable on that end, especially in a system that doesn’t leave defenders on islands.
Rohde represents both a present-day contributor and a symbolic win for the program. He fills a glaring need left by Klesmit’s departure, brings elite shooting to a team that just lost three starters and reclaims local talent that might have otherwise gone elsewhere. Whether he starts or plays a high-usage bench role, Rohde’s return to Madison gives the Badgers a reliable weapon heading into next season.
Wisconsin’s frontcourt transformation took a modern turn with the addition of Austin Rapp, a 6’10” big man from the University of Portland. Rapp chose the Badgers over a push from Oregon, a win on the recruiting trail that reinforces Wisconsin’s growing appeal among top-tier portal talent. And with three years of eligibility remaining, he’s not just a short-term piece — he’s a player the staff can develop and integrate into the core of the next era.
Rapp’s value is clear: he can really shoot the ball. At Portland, he took nearly eight threes per game as a freshman, a remarkable number for a player his size, knocking them down at a solid 35% clip. He was a true stretch five in the WCC, spacing the floor and forcing defenses to pick their poison on pick-and-pops. While it’s unlikely he’ll take that kind of volume in Madison, his shooting gravity will still be a major weapon, especially in a system that increasingly values pace and space.
But Rapp isn’t just a standstill shooter. He moves fluidly for his size, can attack closeouts off the dribble and makes good decisions in space. Pairing him with Nolan Winter, who also brings perimeter skill and shooting touch, gives Wisconsin a pair of bigs who can both roll or pop, and both make plays on the move. It’s a versatile, modern frontcourt that should open up driving lanes and diversify the offense even further.
The biggest question mark is on the defensive end. Rapp averaged 1.5 blocks per game last season and shows decent timing as a rim protector. But the WCC and the Big Ten are different animals. Rapp will need to adjust to a league where opposing forwards are stronger, faster and far more physical. He’ll likely start as a power forward, shifting to the five in certain lineups, and his ability to defend that 4 spot — from post-ups to switches — will determine how heavy his minutes can be.
Still, the upside is clear. Rapp brings skill, floor spacing and long-term potential. If he can hold his own defensively and adapt to the speed and strength of Big Ten play, he could become a cornerstone piece for this new-look Wisconsin team.
Wisconsin’s final major portal addition of the offseason came in the form of Nick Boyd. Boyd is a seasoned 5th-year senior who spent last season at San Diego State after starting his college career with two impactful years at Florida Atlantic, including a pivotal role in their run to the Final Four in 2023.
Boyd’s commitment marked a major win on the recruiting trail — the Badgers beat out North Carolina for the combo guard, a strong signal that Wisconsin’s recent rise is resonating beyond the Big Ten. For a team that lost multiple starters and will be leaning on younger pieces this season, landing a veteran like Boyd, who’s played deep into March, brings needed maturity, toughness, and poise.
On the court, Boyd is a lefty combo guard with the ability to both score and facilitate. His efficiency numbers won’t jump off the page, but his skill set fits exceptionally well in Greg Gard’s swing offense. Historically, Wisconsin’s offense can stall when players are forced to attack off screens going to their weak hand. But with Boyd and John Blackwell both capable of getting downhill with their dominant hands, the Badgers can now create multiple strong-side actions within one possession — something that will stress defenses more than in years past.
Spacing will be key, and Boyd stands to benefit from it. With shooters like Rohde around him and a frontcourt that can pull defenders out of the paint, Boyd should have more clean looks than he’s ever had before. His crafty handle, strong first step and ability to finish with his left should translate well in an offense that’s built to flow and reset — especially with a defense already shifting.
Defensively, Boyd does come with some limitations. At 6’3″, he’ll be one of the smaller guards on the floor in Big Ten play. But he competes on that end and brings a noticeable motor — the kind of veteran energy and grit that should mesh well with Wisconsin’s team-first defensive philosophy.
For a team getting noticeably younger, Boyd is a crucial counterbalance. He’s played on the biggest stages, knows how to win close games and should bring stability and leadership to a retooled Badger backcourt. If he can shoot it at a respectable clip and stay aggressive downhill, he has a chance to be one of the more impactful late-offseason additions in the conference.
With the additions of Boyd, Rohde and Rapp, the Badgers’ projected starting five looks just about set: Boyd, Blackwell, Rohde, Rapp and Winter give Wisconsin a versatile, high-IQ and offensively dynamic group. The pieces fit — multiple ball handlers, capable shooters and bigs who can both pop and roll — and for a team that averaged over 80 points per game last season, the bar for offensive production has officially been raised.
But while the starting lineup may be settled, the depth chart still has major question marks. Veterans Kamari McGhee and Carter Gilmore graduated and forward Xavier Amos recently entered the portal. That leaves Jack Janicki and Zach Kinziger as the likely primary backup guards — a solid duo, but the frontcourt rotation is far from complete.
What’s encouraging is the timing and tone of this offseason. All three portal additions committed early — well ahead of Wisconsin’s first portal get last year — which signals both increased NIL funding and a sense of urgency from Greg Gard and the program. With plenty of offseason still ahead, the expectation is that more moves are coming.
The top priority remains adding a true center — an athletic, rim-running big who can protect the paint and finish above the rim. Ideally, that move would allow Rapp to shift into a sixth man role, where his shooting and offensive versatility could be even more dangerous against second units. The challenge is that the center market is top-heavy and Wisconsin may need to dig deep to find the right fit.
If that kind of player doesn’t materialize, then the focus could shift toward finding a power forward capable of soaking up backup minutes at both big spots, allowing Rapp to slide to the 5 in smaller lineups. Either way, adding frontcourt depth is crucial for a team that will rely heavily on Winter and Rapp to anchor its defensive presence.
Beyond that, there’s also a need for a defensive-minded wing — someone in the 3-4 positional range who can give them quality minutes off the bench and spell the starters in key matchups. Versatility and athleticism on the defensive end are still lacking in the second unit and addressing that would go a long way in raising this team’s ceiling.
The Wisconsin men’s basketball program has clearly shifted its approach in recent years, and the 2024/2025 offseason marks a key turning point. With the additions of Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde and Austin Rapp, the Badgers have brought in a blend of experience, versatility and offensive firepower that should make this team one of the most well-rounded in recent memory. The starting lineup is set and it’s built for both short-term success and long-term development, with Boyd’s leadership and Rohde’s shooting being immediate impact pieces.
However, the job is far from finished. With some depth issues still to address, particularly in the frontcourt and at wing, the portal remains a crucial avenue for Gard to explore. Wisconsin is in a better position than ever to attract high-level talent, thanks to increased program funding and early commitment timelines. The next step is to find the right pieces to round out the roster — specifically a rim-protecting center and a more athletic wing — and if Gard can successfully address those needs, this team could be poised for a deep run come March.
As the Badgers continue to build off last year’s offensive strides, this season offers the perfect opportunity for them to reclaim their place among the Big Ten’s elite. The future of Wisconsin basketball has never looked brighter, and with the strong foundation they’ve laid, it’s safe to say the program is heading in the right direction.