NCAA's new eligibility rule just changed everything for Greg Gard and Nolan Winter

Wisconsin's top player this year is set to be big man and senior Nolan Winter. He's setting into his final season of eligibility and wants to go out with a bang. Or at least that is what he thought was the case until earlier today when the NCAA voted in the "5-in-5 rule." Now, Winter will have a whole extra season of eligibility. This is big for Wisconsin and Greg Gard, and not just for Winter; it affects the entire roster.

The "5-in-5" is something that has been toyed with for a while, and it basically just removes the redshirt season and gives players (in any sport) five years to play regardless of whether they sit a year or not. As soon as they enroll in college and begin in their sport, they have five years of eligibility. If they sit on the bench for four of those years and only play minutes in the final season, it's still used up. Or in Winter's case, plays four straight seasons of meaningful minutes, now has a fifth season to play.

Michael McCleary broke it down for all the Badgers on the basketball team (even though it affects all sports). Winter, Elmer, Autry, Onuetu, and Janicki all have two more years. When many of them thought they were running out.

Wisconsin Badgers now have veteran leadership but with extra years to play

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This is great news for the Badgers, but it's not entirely clear how it will all play out. Do you see that Michael McCleary also has question marks? It's because the international players have a bit of a weird exception to the rule anyway. Especially with one part of the rule being that the clock starts at 19 years old. This may matter for players like Owen Foxwell, who's already 22 years old and will be 23 soon.

This matters the most for Winter, who has all the experience and the ability to be an impact player now and next year. Though Winter has expressed interest in going to the NBA after this season. This new rule could change the timeline, but it may not. Winter is the most draftable player (presumably) on the roster for the Badgers and has been listed by sources as someone who could be in the NBA Draft next year.

Read also: Nolan Winter shares positive recovery update after offseason surgery

This may change his thinking. As he won't have to settle for any old draft pick, or even if he's a fringe player, to deal with that. He could simply stay at Wisconsin and maximize his true final season of eligibility. Greg Gard has to be pretty thrilled with this prognosis.

Oh, and Eian Elmer was in the same boat. Played three seasons already, was headed into his senior year with nearly 100 games under his belt. Now, he will have two seasons to play at Wisconsin, and that may end up being just as big as Winter. All in all, this is great for Wisconsin and for college sports.

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