Wisconsin added Josh Manchester, one of the top scorers in Wisconsin high school history. While he's an unranked prospect, he's clearly a player with a knack for scoring. It's a cool addition for Greg Gard and it's important to have culture guys on the team that may surprise with hard work and effort. However, it signals an unsettling reality with Gard's current roster. He may be done adding this offseason.
Manchester isn't a walk-on; he's getting a full scholarship and thus takes up one of the 15 eligible spots. Which is fine, he deserves it. But it does put Wisconsin at 13, and Gard has been on the record of saying he doesn't always plan to use every roster spot.
Update: Wisconsin added a depth forward in Isaac Riddle to put the roster at 14.
Gard is in the window of "if the right fit" or the "right player" is available, he will add him, but he's no longer going to be forcing anything. Maybe a Davion Hannah or the right depth piece big. However, do not be surprised if Gard is done.
There could also be a "wait and see" for this potential 5-in-5 decision by the NCAA. This would free up a lot of the transfer portal seniors who don't have eligibility. Maybe that causes him to add another player, but Wisconsin could be sitting at 13 and is fine with it.
Wisconsin's Current Basketball Roster
Guards:
Owen Foxwell
Zach Kinziger
Trey Autry
Josh Manchester
Jackson Ball
Wings:
Eian Elmer
Hayden Jones
Jack Janicki
LaTrevion Fenderson
Bigs:
Nolan Winter
Victory Onuetu
Austin Rapp
Will Garlock
Even if Wisconsin fans aren't content with that roster, it certainly feels like a roster that Greg Gard would be content with. It's got all the pieces he would want, and he knows he can get more out of many of them, especially the younger players from last season.
Wisconsin fans will find this a tad unsettling because the Badgers lost a lot of scoring and starters in the portal this offseason, including top guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd. However, Gard will find other scorers out of this 13; he does it every year. It's unsettling, but it will be what it will be if this is the final list.
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