The Wisconsin Badgers basketball program looks a lot different this offseason compared to last offseason. The only consistency in the starting lineup is Nolan Winter. There are a few returning bench pieces, but the 2026 Badgers are going to look a lot different. Greg Gard has done a decent job of filling out the roster and working on his offseason plan, but there are lingering questions without answers.
Here are the three that immediately come to mind:
Who's the starting 2 guard?
Sometimes referred to as the shooting guard, though it's better to think of it as the No. 2 on the court. It seems as if every other starting spot has a clear player slotted into it. Owen Foxwell at the 1. Eian Elmer at the 3. Austin Rapp at the 4, and Nolan Winter at the 5. There may be some variations with the frontcourt depending on who they play. Don't be surprised to see Victory Onuetu play some 5 and Winter play some 4.
However, who's the 2? Trey Autry could make sense because that's his spot, but he almost feels like an "off-the-bench" player. Autry has a Braeden Carrington feel to his game. Could it be Hayden Jones or maybe even Zach Kinziger?
Will Greg Gard fill the final roster spot?
The Badgers have 14 scholarship players right now for next season. The NCAA allows 15 to be on the roster. Gard has said in the past that he isn't concerned with the exact number, but more with the right fits and the right players. He may not care about having 15 players and could easily settle at 14. In fact, that's where Wisconsin ended up last season after Elijah Gray was dismissed.
If he does fill out the final roster spot? Who would he target? There are a lot of guards/wings, but the frontcourt is all ready to play solid minutes. It could be a starting 2-guard, but there aren't many great options for the Badgers now that Davion Hannah has committed to South Carolina.
Who are the leaders on this team?
Greg Gard has been on the record saying the way Wisconsin wins basketball games is through togetherness. A team that has clear player leaders on the team and an ability to gel together. With the team being entirely new, the "gelling" is a real concern. Yet, it always is, and Gard figures it out. However, who's the leader(s) on this team?
John Blackwell and Nick Boyd are gone. Winter isn't known as a vocal leader but more of a culture guy. Is it going to be Foxwell? How about Elmer? Maybe a combo of both? That's a big question mark and something to watch going forward.
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