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Wisconsin Basketball: Hill Transfer Leaves Badgers in Interesting Spot

By Tyler Hunt

Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) reacts on the bench during the final second of the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) reacts on the bench during the final second of the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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The State of the Badgers Guard Position is In an Interesting Spot for Next Season

When the news broke that Guard Jordan Hill would use his graduate transfer there was not a ton of surprise from those close to the program. While Hill certainly had a role on this years team, the writing appeared to be on the wall, and Hill picked up on it. The talent coming into Wisconsin next fall in the 2017 class is exceptional with Kobe King and and Brad Davidson. However, the experience will certainly be lacking. While Hill may have just been a placeholder until the younger ones were ready, the picture now shifts with his departure. Either the young players will have to be ready to play at a high level, or outside options may have to be considered.

Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

While Hill may be departing the program using the Graduate Transfer rule, the Wisconsin Basketball team may now add an outside player through that same role. Wisconsin was likely to be in on a graduate transfer already, but the addition becomes more of a reality now that Hill has left. The list continues to grow of possible players leaving their respective programs, and its likely that Wisconsin will be in conversation for at least one guard to fill a void. Cameron Johnson of Pittsburgh is the highest touted on the list, but there are many other options out for transfer. It is essentially a 1 year free agent who is able to play immediately, and with such little experience in the guard position there is no reason why the Badgers wouldn’t take a look at some of these talents.

Or…. do you stick with the guys and let them grow in their role for the future years. While I don’t want to call it a rebuilding year as the team will have a lot of talent, it will be hard to this group to live up to the expectations of what the last four years gave us. While certainly a graduate transfer may help the Badgers next season, i’m not sure if it will help the program much at all going forward. Time will tell how the Badgers pursue this period, but it certainly is an interesting predicament. While many want to live up to the expectations set by those before, it may not be the best route. The ultimate decision lies with Coach Gard, and it will be interesting to see how he handles it with him having the full reins of the program.

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