Navigating the Evolving Landscape of College Basketball: Wisconsin's Gard Embraces the New Era

As the Wisconsin men's basketball program enters its 10th season under head coach Greg Gard, a sense of normalcy has started to return to the team. However, the off-court challenges posed by the rapidly changing landscape of college basketball have required Gard and his staff to adapt and evolve their approach to recruiting, player development, and program management.

Embracing the New Realities of College Basketball

Adapting to the Transfer Portal and NIL Opportunities

The Wisconsin basketball program has experienced both the benefits and challenges of the new era of college basketball. Last season, the team lost three-year starting point guard Chucky Hepburn and leading scorer A.J. Storr to the transfer portal, lured away by lucrative NIL deals at other schools. In response, Gard and his staff have had to quickly integrate five new players into the program during the summer, with two more additions before the start of the preseason.While the influx of new faces can create uncertainty around team chemistry, Gard has been encouraged by the resilience and adaptability of his 18- to 22-year-old players. "This is the new era of college basketball," Gard acknowledged. "There's going to be some transient nature to the roster every year, so you adjust and grow with the specific team you have in front of you as much as you can."

Expanding the Coaching Staff's Responsibilities

To address the changing landscape, Gard has made several key additions to his coaching staff. He hired Isaac Wodajo as the program's director of recruiting and scouting, bringing in valuable expertise in the rapidly evolving world of portal recruiting. Gard also brought former UW center Greg Stiemsma on board as the director of player development, and replaced Dean Oliver with Division II head coach Lance Randall as the third assistant.These new hires reflect Gard's belief that the modern college basketball landscape requires a different set of skills and experiences. "I wanted to put together a staff that I felt could be very comfortable, functional, and effective in this new era," Gard said. "It meant bringing in a different level of skills and experience."

Embracing the Increased Demands of NIL and Fundraising

One of the most significant changes Gard has experienced is the increased time and effort required to navigate the NIL landscape and engage with boosters and alumni. Gard estimated that he spent significantly more time this summer making appearances, speaking engagements, and connecting with potential NIL partners, compared to previous years."Whether making an appearance at an alumni event, doing a speaking engagement, or simply picking up the phone to call boosters, Gard estimated he did some form of NIL connection daily over the summer, tenfold with what he did in previous years," the article notes.This shift in responsibilities has required Gard and his staff to adapt their approach, balancing the traditional coaching duties with the new demands of program management and fundraising. "The coaching is the coaching," Gard said. "That thankfully doesn't change." However, the rapidly shrinking free time over the offseason has become a new reality for the veteran coach.

Identifying and Integrating Impactful Transfers

Despite the challenges posed by the transfer portal, Gard and his staff have been able to identify and integrate several key additions to the roster. One player who has stood out early in the preseason is Xavier Amos, a junior wing transfer from Northern Illinois.Amos, who made 49.6% of his shots and averaged 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season, has impressed the Wisconsin coaching staff with his well-rounded skill set. "Xavier has come out the gates from day one and really impressed the staff," Gard said. "He's way more skilled from a wing position than what we thought from the short amount of time we had to evaluate him in the portal. He brings more of a wing component to the floor than what we would have probably ever expected."In addition to Amos, the Wisconsin staff has also been encouraged by the early performances of transfers Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) and John Tonje (Missouri), who have shown a growing comfort with the team's system during preseason workouts.

Fostering Team Chemistry and Cohesion

While the influx of new faces can present challenges, Gard has been pleased with the way his players have adapted and embraced the changes. "Eighteen- to 22-year-olds are more adapt and resilient to change than maybe adults," Gard observed. "This group has done a good job of understanding our buy-in. They understand how important the connections and the chemistry are going to be to our success."The success of the team's summer workouts and the early competitiveness in preseason drills have helped to build a sense of connection and cohesion among the players. Gard recognizes that fostering strong team chemistry will be crucial in navigating the constantly evolving landscape of college basketball.