John Blackwell tested the NBA waters but decided one more year in college would help him reach those NBA goals. He learned from the scouts what he needs to do to grow his game and become even better, which is good news for Wisconsin, too, as he will be improving rapidly this season. It is an important season for the Badgers, who want to take a step forward even after losing three starters.
A big key to that success will be John Blackwell, who Greg Gard says is like a duck. "He looks calm on the surface, but if you look under the water, he's paddling like crazy." This may be the funniest image of Blackwell you can imagine.
However, Gard didn't mean it in an anxious way for Blackwell, but instead that he's cool, but he actually works really hard. While he may just look like he's floating, he's the one opening and closing the gym in terms of work ethic.
Greg Gard compares John Blackwell to a duck.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) October 9, 2025
"He looks calm on the surface, but if you look under water, he's paddling like crazy."#Badgers pic.twitter.com/fFQf9l7LtG
Wisconsin is expecting big things out of John Blackwell this season
Related: John Blackwell poses as a media member and asks Greg Gard a hilarious question
While Blackwell has a different game than John Tonje, he's going to be filling some of that vacancy this season. Especially as he slides back into his more natural position, shooting guard. He will be finding ways to feed off of Nick Boyd, the new dynamic point guard, to make things happen.
All the while, working and working to become a high NBA draft pick. Without losing sight of the fact that doing so helps Wisconsin reach its goals. There are some lofty goals for the Badgers. Wisconsin finished tied for third in the Big Ten last season and second in the Big Ten Tournament, but they couldn't get by the round of 32.
Blackwell won't be asked to do it all, but he will need to be a duck. Calm on the surface but working hard underneath to help both his goals and Wisconsin's goals.