Wisconsin has an interesting lineup this year, and it could present a decent challenge for Greg Gard. His biggest issue will be how to assign the minutes, as there's a lot of potential that needs to be worked out on the roster. There aren't many certainties, but plenty of players who could really break out this season. Greg Gard most often is looking for a nine or ten-man rotation; he will sometimes reduce the number as he figures out which players he can trust.
It typically has a lot to do with how each player performs on the defensive end more than the offensive side of the ball. If he can't trust a player where they are supposed to be and handling ball-screens the right way, they will be riding the pine.
Let's start with 10, though, as it breaks out nicely and clearly for Wisconsin. Giving a starter and a backup to each spot and leaving the true freshmen and even Jack Janicki in a reserve role. Janicki will have his chances because Gard trusts him to play defense, but hopefully, he gets passed by the other players, as he can be a liability in other ways. Here's how the depth chart currently breaks down:
Wisconsin's projected 2-man depth chart for basketball is fairly straight forward
Point guard: Owen Foxwell - Zach Kinziger
2-guard: Trey Autry - Jackson Ball
Wing: Eian Elmer - Hayden Jones
Forward: Austin Rapp - Victory Onuetu
Center: Nolan Winter - Will Garlock
The starting lineup will most likely be Foxwell, Autry, Elmer Rapp, and Winter. However, don't be surprised to see players like Ball or even Kinziger compete with Autry for that spot. While Kinziger is slotted above as the backup point guard, he brings a lot to the table as a spot-up shooter. The way Foxwell facilitates the ball, we could see Kinziger having a big year.
The rotation of the big men will be the most interesting watch outside the battle for the shooting guard. Austin Rapp lost his starting spot last year due to his defense, but he's projected back in that role again in 2026. Victory Onuetu is a completely different style of player than Rapp, so it's wild to see them on the same line. Onuetu will be used as a defensive blocking/rebounding machine, while Rapp will be a stretch forward.
Who the opponent is will matter for how these lineups will shake out. Also, how much of a jump did Garlock make? Especially on the defensive end, if he's a better defender in his sophomore year, he will certainly play more minutes than he did last year.
For now, these 10 players seem the most likely, while players like Isaac Riddle and Trey Fendersen will take the true freshman route of learning and helping with the scout team. Could either of them make a jump into the rotation? Certainly, the competition is there, and Riddle is relatively unknown. Fendersen is raw on the offensive end at the college level, but has a high motor and will adapt quickly to the defensive side of the ball. Janicki will also find a role, like he always does.
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