A first look at Wisconsin basketball’s offseason transfer additions practice

Wisconsin basketball is back on the court in preparation for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The season is one of intrigue for many reasons. First, the program hasn’t reached the Sweet Sixteen since 2017 and is in desperate need of offseason success. Second, the Badgers saw starters Chucky Hepburn (portal), A.J. Storr (portal) and Tyler Wahl (graduation) all depart after the 2023-24 season. Greg Gard and his staff worked hard in the transfer portal to mitigate those losses, but the roster improvements are a big unknown until the team takes the court in November.

Related: Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

Those transfer additions were Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos.

Hunter, first, sat out last season with an injury after averaging 16.9 points, 3.9 assists and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 42.3% from the field in 2022-2023. He should immediately play a large role in the team’s back court rotation.

Tonje, next, had a down 2023-24 season at Missouri after averaging 31.3 minutes, 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals on 47% shooting and 39% from 3 in 2022-23 at Colorado State. He brings major-conference experience and should also play a big role immediately.

Amos, finally, was the most important addition of the offseason. He averaged 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 three last season at Northern Illinois. He projects to slide into the starting role left vacant by Wahl’s departure.

Wisconsin basketball will enter 2024-25 with high expectations. The program needs big contributions from all three offseason additions to reach that level.

Here’s a first glimpse at those new players as they and the rest of the team prepare for the upcoming season:

 

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/look-wisconsin-basketball-offseason-transfer-182412015.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2024-06-26 18:24:12

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