Projected Badger Basketball Lineup Including New Portal Additions

With key departures from AJ Storr and Chucky Hepburn, the Badgers' roster will look very different headed into the 2024 season. Here's our best guess at a way-too-early starting lineup projection.

No. 1 Guard

Starter: Camren Hunter

Hunter joins the Badgers as transfer from Central Arkansas. While he missed all of last season, the 6'3" guard averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game in 2022. Hunter brings veteran experience and is a point guard you can trust with the ball.

Backup: Daniel Freitag

Freitag may have to wait a little longer to get a spot in the Badgers starting rotation. After the loss of Hepburn, the freshman believed he was ready to come in take on the role. Greg Gard and the coaches may end up going with the veteran Hunter, at least at first.

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Max Klesmit

Klesmit thankfully decided not to enter his name into the tranfer portal. He averaged 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a starter last year and should slide into that same role once again in 2024.

Backup: Jack Robinson

Robinson will look to get some decent playing time in 2024. He's a bit of an unknown at this point so we'll get a good look at what he can do this year.

Small Forward

Starter: (Projected) John Tonje

Tonje has been long rumored to be committing to Wisconsin via the transfer portal. If and when he does, he will slide into the starting rotation. Tonje missed most of last season but averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in 2022 for Colorado State.

Backup: John Blackwell

Blackwell had a solid 2023 and will provide some valuable shooting off the bench again in 2024. Let's just hope he doesn't get too disgruntled with a backup role and end up transferring.

Power Forward

Starter: Xavier Amos

The 6'8" stretch four transfer will start for the Badgers after averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 boards and 1.2 assists for NIU last season. He can also protect the rim and is a solid shooter from deep. He will pair nicely with Crowl in the Badger frontcourt.

Backup: Carter Gilmore

Gilmore has some experience but isn't ready for a starting role. He will again provide depth from the bench.

Center

Starter: Steven Crowl

Crowl had a good year offensively for the Badgers in 2023, but he will need to step up defensively in a big way for Wisconsin to have more post-season success. He can stretch the floor and with now two shooting bigs on the floor, things should open up for guards to penetrate and score at the rim.

Backup: Nolan Winter

Winter will reprise his role as a backup center. The sophomore will need to show some good progress this year if he has a chance at becoming Crowl's successor.