2025 Wisconsin Basketball Transfer Portal

[RedStickBrew]

The transfer portal is officially open today.  Wisconsin will be active looking to fill several roster spots for next year

[bjkrautk]

https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/mens-basketball/2025/03/24/wisconsin-basketball-early-transfer-portal-interests/82626213007/

Adding a few more names to the list.

[RedStickBrew]

4 minutes ago, bjkrautk said:

https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/mens-basketball/2025/03/24/wisconsin-basketball-early-transfer-portal-interests/82626213007/

Adding a few more names to the list.

Of that list Mincey feels like a fit for what the Badgers do. He also has one year of eligibility left which squares with our portal MO

[bjkrautk]

4 minutes ago, RedStickBrew said:

Of that list Mincey feels like a fit for what the Badgers do. He also has one year of eligibility left which squares with our portal MO

I don't know that you can say the Badgers only go for 1-year guys, considering Klesmit and McGee (and Storr for that matter) all had multiple years of eligibility when transferring to Madison.

[RedStickBrew]

35 minutes ago, bjkrautk said:

I don't know that you can say the Badgers only go for 1-year guys, considering Klesmit and McGee (and Storr for that matter) all had multiple years of eligibility when transferring to Madison.

True. I had Tonje specifically in mind with that statement and Mincey would likely slot in as his replacement.

I recall an interview with Gard where he was asked about his portal strategy and he answered something to the effect of, obviously they would take anyone that is the right fit for the program but they were particularly focused on more experienced players with 1 or 2 years of eligibility left.  Of course, that may change from year to year as well.

[Jim French Stepstool]

26 minutes ago, bjkrautk said:

I don't know that you can say the Badgers only go for 1-year guys, considering Klesmit and McGee (and Storr for that matter) all had multiple years of eligibility when transferring to Madison.

Agree. I'm sure they're open to either. Amos has time left on the clock, too.

Moving forward I think Gard likes the idea of having 4 or even 5 people on the floor that can shoot from the perimeter. That would most likely ace out a guy like Mitchell of Minnesota, who's a terrific rebounder but not a shooter. And at the end of the day I think there are people who will push harder for Stillwell than we will.

Among big men, if Owen Freeman doesn't come to Madison (rumors are still flying) some of the people I like that I think would fit are Noah Williamson of Bucknell, Cooper Schwieger of Valpo & Blake Buchanan of UVA. Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State) is great around the hoop as a rebounder & scorer but can't step out.

MODS: Go ahead & delete the thread I started on this subject. This one is much smoother.

[LouisEly]

They won't have any issue with bringing in quality players from the portal.  Gard has been getting calls from agents for players who were planning on entering the portal or who would enter the portal if UW was interested since early January.  Players have taken note of what Storr and Tonje have done there.

[Underachiever]

Has it been noted here that Owen Freeman has a DoNot Contact on his portal entry? That suggests that he has an offer/destination in mind. He’s Schrodinger’s Center. Either already coming to UW or not (probably Kansas).

[RedStickBrew]

2 hours ago, Underachiever said:

Has it been noted here that Owen Freeman has a DoNot Contact on his portal entry? That suggests that he has an offer/destination in mind. He’s Schrodinger’s Center. Either already coming to UW or not (probably Kansas).

Interesting. There is very little intel out there on him. His high school recruiting was really low key also. I think he only visited Iowa and UW.

FWIW I have seen rumors to Kansas, Creighton, Michigan and UW. So it will probably be somewhere else

[Jim French Stepstool]

I don't know if Mincey would fit a Davis-Storr-Tonje role or not. But whoever Gard pursues to provide scoring from the wing, he has some pretty potent numbers to use as a persuader:

AJ Storr

22-23 St Johns 8.8 PPG   

23-24 Wisconsin 16.8 PPG*

24-25 Kansas 6.1 PPG                                                                                                              

*Highest shooting % of the three years as well as highest PPG.

John Tonje

2019-23 (4 years) Colorado State 8.6 PPG

24-25 Wisconsin 19.6 PPG

[RedStickBrew]

 

[RedStickBrew]

Not surprising news on Hunter- can't win them all in the portal.

A couple other observations of note.  There was a report that the UW staff really wants to add some Wisconsin kids to their roster after losing Gilmore, McGee and Klesmit. Rhode, a transfer from VA was named as a possible target.

Also noticed that UW appears to be contacting some taller guards that can shoot. They have 6' 7" Jones from New Zealand coming in next year who is pretty athletic and can handle it pretty well. I like this development- nothing wrong with trying to get longer around the perimeter.

[Jim French Stepstool]

Hunter had health issues here. He never quite got untracked. Best of luck to him.

We can scratch a couple bigs off the list. Mitchell (Minnesota) has committed to St Bonaventure. He might avg 12 rebounds a game in the A-10.

Owen Freeman (Iowa) is headed to Creighton.

Another entry UW seems to have some interest in is Amsal Delalic, a big (6'8") guard from Pitt.

[jay87shot]

I like Dailyn Swain from Xavier only a sophomore good size to play 3 or 4. Not a great shooter (showed improvement) but will attack the basket like Tonje. Not sure if we have shown any interest.

[RedStickBrew]

1 hour ago, jay87shot said:

I like Dailyn Swain from Xavier only a sophomore good size to play 3 or 4. Not a great shooter (showed improvement) but will attack the basket like Tonje. Not sure if we have shown any interest.

Feels like this is the type of player that is available to us. Give Kirk Penney some players with different skill sets and see how they all fit together on the court.

[Jim French Stepstool]

Jacob Ognacevic is in the portal. 6'8" forward who put up big numbers at Lipscomb. I question exactly how effective he'd be in the B10, but wouldn't be surprised if UW at least kicks the tires. Went to the same HS as Sam Dekker.

[Jim French Stepstool]

Morez Johnson of Illinois announced for the portal today. He doesn't fit the mold of having multiple shooters on the floor, but he's a terrific rim protector & I'd love to have him. That said, it smells like strictly a bidding war to me so.......doubtful.

Bubu Benjamin of Tarleton State (TX) has heard from UW. He was a scorer at the WAC level. Big guard, which is rumored to be something we might be putting a premium on.

After an undistinguished year at Seton Hall, Gus Yalden has decided to once again hit the road. Get in line now. Someone.....anyone??

[RedStickBrew]

Bubu is pretty interesting. Good size, skill and fluid athlete. Appears to shoot the three ok. He rebounds, steals and passes well for a guard. No idea how he translates to Big but that is for Gard to decide. Also a native of Canada and unsure of the money he would demand

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, RedStickBrew said:

Bubu is pretty interesting. Good size, skill and fluid athlete. Appears to shoot the three ok. He rebounds, steals and passes well for a guard. No idea how he translates to Big but that is for Gard to decide. Also a native of Canada and unsure of the money he would demand

I don't recall this, but I heard mention that we recruited him out of HS. So if he visited & enjoyed it, maybe??

[Jim French Stepstool]

Johnny Kinziger of Illinois State just announced for the portal. He's the older brother of Zach Kinziger, one of UW's incoming recruits.

I've seen him play for the Redbirds. He's the type of kid that, if you knew nothing about him & watched him for ten minutes, you'd figure he's a coaches' son (which he is). Very smart, heady player, makes great decisions with the ball, Solid shooter, just under 39% from 3pt in his career. Excellent from the FT line. I love guards with his skillset & moxie. The thing is, he's really slight. Listed at 5'11" & 165, and that's probably fudging. I'm not sure how he'd hold up defensively at the high-major level or if he'd be happy with a bench role, which might be his best fit if he came here. The list of schools he's 'considering' includes a bunch of quality mid-majors as well as UW, Illinois & Iowa. Two years left.

[RedStickBrew]

9 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Johnny Kinziger of Illinois State just announced for the portal. He's the older brother of Zach Kinziger, one of UW's incoming recruits.

I've seen him play for the Redbirds. He's the type of kid that, if you knew nothing about him & watched him for ten minutes, you'd figure he's a coaches' son (which he is). Very smart, heady player, makes great decisions with the ball, Solid shooter, just under 39% from 3pt in his career. Excellent from the FT line. I love guards with his skillset & moxie. The thing is, he's really slight. Listed at 5'11" & 165, and that's probably fudging. I'm not sure how he'd hold up defensively at the high-major level or if he'd be happy with a bench role, which might be his best fit if he came here. The list of schools he's 'considering' includes a bunch of quality mid-majors as well as UW, Illinois & Iowa. Two years left.

Of the Wisconsin natives that have been contacted by UW maybe Rohde could start. I think the others including Kinzinger would be for bench roles. UW does have a handful of open roster spots to fill though

[Jim French Stepstool]

It's impossible to be comprehensive with so many guys entering the portal every day.  But here are a couple with state ties who have herd from UW:

Keonte Jones (Cal-Northridge) is a 6'6" wing who seems to fit the profile of what they're looking for. He's from Madison East HS.

Alex Huibregtse (Wright State) is from Grafton. An effective shooter in the Horizon League. 6'3" guard who could probably slide to the point for stretches if needed. Very nice assist/turnover ratio. Only one year remaining (I think). If you're playing pin-the-tail-on-the-combo-guard, Klesmit isn't a bad comp.

Nick Boyd isn't from Wisconsin, but I mention him here because it sounds like UW might be legitimately in the hunt (he visited). A 6'6"-6'7" wing who was a pretty productive guy for San Diego State. UNC & possibly one or two others are also being seriously considered.

Sebastian Mack (UCLA) also entered. Might be a pipe dream but boy would he be a nice fit. Gets into the lane & draws fouls in the mold of a Tonje. Strong, tough & if it matters to him he IS from the area (Chicago).

[RedStickBrew]

14 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

It's impossible to be comprehensive with so many guys entering the portal every day.  But here are a couple with state ties who have herd from UW:

Keonte Jones (Cal-Northridge) is a 6'6" wing who seems to fit the profile of what they're looking for. He's from Madison East HS.

Alex Huibregtse (Wright State) is from Grafton. An effective shooter in the Horizon League. 6'3" guard who could probably slide to the point for stretches if needed. Very nice assist/turnover ratio. Only one year remaining (I think). If you're playing pin-the-tail-on-the-combo-guard, Klesmit isn't a bad comp.

Nick Boyd isn't from Wisconsin, but I mention him here because it sounds like UW might be legitimately in the hunt (he visited). A 6'6"-6'7" wing who was a pretty productive guy for San Diego State. UNC & possibly one or two others are also being seriously considered.

Sebastian Mack (UCLA) also entered. Might be a pipe dream but boy would he be a nice fit. Gets into the lane & draws fouls in the mold of a Tonje. Strong, tough & if it matters to him he IS from the area (Chicago).

I’m going to be nervous until I hear Blackwell and Winter have signed a deal for next year. That’s the top priority. There are a couple nice players they appear to be in on and several other that would be developmental type player. That being said I’d be onboard for some Mack truck action for sure. He will bring toughness wherever he ends up

[wildcat83]

Daniel Freitag entered the portal.  Was a big recruit but never found his way into consistent playing time.

[RedStickBrew]

59 minutes ago, wildcat83 said:

Daniel Freitag entered the portal.  Was a big recruit but never found his way into consistent playing time.

Guessing the staff told him they are bringing in some guards and he would have no playing guarantees