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Wisconsin Basketball Adds Guard Depth

By Noah Seligman

Jan 28, 2017; Apple Valley , MN, USA; Lacrosse Central Red Raiders Kobe King (23) scores in the first half agains Lakeville North Panthers at Apple Valley High School. Lakeville North Panthers win 98-83 over the LaCrosse Central Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Apple Valley , MN, USA; Lacrosse Central Red Raiders Kobe King (23) scores in the first half agains Lakeville North Panthers at Apple Valley High School. Lakeville North Panthers win 98-83 over the LaCrosse Central Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Basketball announced two guards will join the 2017-18 team

A news release from the UW Athletic Department indicates that a pair of guards will be preferred walk-ons to the Wisconsin Basketball team next season.

Walt McCrory is a 6’3″ 195 pound freshman from Edina, Minnesota who eschewed other scholarship opportunities in favor the walk-on role in Madison.  Trevor Anderson is a 6’2″ 180 pound sophomore from Stevens Point, Wisconsin who played last year at UW-Green Bay.

Wisconsin Basketball can use the help considering it loses Jordan Hill, Zach Showalter, and Bronson Koenig from last year’s team.  Last season Koenig averaged 31.4 minutes/game, Showalter 29.5 minutes/game and Hill 9.9 minutes/game.

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The trio also filled the stat sheet across several statistical categories meaning somebody has to step in and replace some of that production for the next season of Wisconsin Basketball

  • 32.9 percent of Wisconsin Basketball scoring
  • 35.2 percent of made field goals
  • 56.9 percent of made three-pointers
  • 30.6 percent of the team’s assists
  • 34.4 percent of all steals

The expected Wisconsin Basketball starters in Brevin Pritzl and D’Mitrik Trice averaged 8.1 minutes/game and 18.3 minutes/game respectively last season.  Those two will shoulder the heaviest load as the new faces get acclimated to Big Ten defense in the Wisconsin Basketball tradition.

Anderson started 20 games for the Phoenix last season until a back injury ruined the rest of his freshman campaign.

"He averaged 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game with the Phoenix, shooting 40.0 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from 3-point range."

McCrory compiled an impressive prep career in Stevens Point including consecutive Division I State Titles in 2015 and 2016.

"As a senior in 2016, Anderson was named Wisconsin’s Mr. Basketball, AP Player of the Year and recognized with the Wisconsin Hall of Fame Male Athlete of the Year award after averaging 24.6 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 64.0 percent from the floor and 55.0 percent from 3-point range."

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In addition to the walk-ons, the Badgers welcome a solid recruiting class with a pair of intriguing guards in Kobe King and Brad Davison.  Wisconsin Basketball will lean on youth at the guard position during the 2017-18 season.  But the depth chart beyond Pritzl and Trice should be open to serious competition.