The Wisconsin men's basketball team kicked off its highly anticipated 2024-25 campaign with an impressive 78-62 exhibition victory over UW-River Falls at the Kohl Center in Madison. While the Falcons may compete at the Division-III level, the game provided valuable insights into the Badgers' roster and potential strategies for the regular season ahead.

Unlocking the Badgers' Backcourt Potential

The Badgers' starting lineup featured a mix of familiar faces and newcomers, with John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, John Tonje, Nolan Winter, and Steven Crowl taking the court. Among this group, Klesmit has historically averaged the most assists per game at 1.9, suggesting a potential playmaking role. However, the absence of a true point guard in the starting lineup raises questions about the team's floor leadership and ball distribution.Kamari McGee, Daniel Freitag, and Camren Hunter, who all came off the bench in the exhibition, are more natural point guards and could potentially earn more minutes as the season progresses. It will be intriguing to see if head coach Greg Gard adjusts his rotation to capitalize on their floor-general abilities.

Ilver's Explosive Start and the Depth of the Badgers' Roster

Senior forward Markus Ilver made an immediate impact, scoring eight points in his first two minutes on the floor. However, he was unable to sustain that momentum, finishing the game with just those eight points in only nine minutes of play. Ilver's limited playing time in previous seasons suggests that he may need to earn a more prominent role this year to make a significant contribution.The exhibition also highlighted the depth of the Badgers' roster, with several players making their mark. Redshirt freshman guard Jack Janicki, a preferred walk-on, impressed with five points, two rebounds, and one assist in 10 minutes of action. His performance could earn him a spot in the rotation as the season unfolds.

Newcomer Amos Adjusting to Life in Madison

One of the Badgers' marquee offseason additions, forward Xavier Amos, hailing from Northern Illinois, played only seven minutes and scored five points in the exhibition. Amos, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Huskies last season, seems to be behind Nolan Winter and John Tonje in the pecking order for minutes at the forward position. As he continues to acclimate to the Badgers' system, Amos will need to find ways to carve out a more significant role in the rotation.

Nolan Winter: The Next Lakeville North Standout?

Sophomore forward Nolan Winter, who hails from Lakeville North High School in Minnesota, appears to have solidified a spot in the Badgers' starting lineup. In the exhibition, he showcased his potential, recording eight points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes of play. If Winter can consistently produce at a near double-double level, it could significantly raise the ceiling for this Wisconsin team.The Badgers' exhibition victory over UW-River Falls provided a glimpse into the team's depth, potential lineup configurations, and the development of both returning players and newcomers. As the regular season approaches, the Badgers will look to build on this promising start and continue to refine their identity on the court.