Tonight begins the Badgers' 2024-25 season, starting with a matchup against Holy Cross. The Crusaders finished 10-23 last season, and don't project to be much better this year, providing a stage for Wisconsin to hit the ground running. But after a rocky preseason, Greg Gard and company still have a lot to figure out, so what are some things we want to see tonight from the squad?
1. Offensive fireworks
After firing off 32 three-pointers in the UW-River Falls exhibition, Gard firmly declared that Wisconsin would be a three-point shooting team this year. While that hasn't been the M.O. for past Badger teams, it will certainly provide some excitement for this year's group. Of course it also means that on nights the three-ball isn't falling, fans are in for some long games. Still, without a super-talented roster, the Badgers will need to get production from everyone all the way down the bench, and every player on the team is capable of coming in and knocking down shots. Holy Cross runs a smaller lineup, so Wisconsin may let it fly even more if the Crusaders pack the paint.
2. Impact from the new transfers
With only one new transfer in the starting lineup in John Tonje, Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos seem a little buried on the depth chart for now. For the time being, let's take that as good news that players like John Blackwell and Nolan Winter have improved significantly and earned the starting roles over the new blood. Tonje, however, may be leaned on heavily for offensive production and could be the Badgers' go-to option.
3. Put defensive issues in the past
Wisconsin struggled defensively last year, and those issues bled into the 2024 preseason, allowing 85 points to Northern Iowa and 62 to a D-III program. So while the offense may be hitting from beyond-the-arc, the defense may still be working out chemistry issues. Gard admits the team still has 'a long way to go' on that side of ball, so hopefully Holy Cross provides an opportunity to make up a lot of that ground. Allowing anything under 60 would be a win tonight.