A tricky exhibition loss supplied a retooled Wisconsin squad with a number of elements to handle earlier than the Badgers’ regular-season opener in opposition to visiting Campbell.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 24 within the preseason ballot, dropped the exhibition opener in opposition to Oklahoma 85-84 on Friday. The Badgers, with 9 newcomers, have one other exhibition vs. in-state D-3 faculty Wisconsin-Platteville, earlier than going through Campbell on Monday, Nov. 3.
“I feel the factor that excites me about this group essentially the most is what they aren’t, by way of we’re not ok but on the defensive finish, particularly,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard mentioned following the Oklahoma recreation. “And being extra environment friendly offensively on each possession. That tells me we have, , clearly a protracted methods to go, however that is the thrilling half.”
Wisconsin (27-10, 13-7 Massive Ten) misplaced to BYU 91-89 within the second spherical of the NCAA Event when main scorer John Tonje missed on the buzzer.
Campbell (15-17, 10-8 CAA) will probably be below first-year coach John Andrzejek, who was an assistant the final two seasons at nationwide champion Florida.
Wisconsin should substitute Tonje, who averaged a team-high 19.6 factors in his lone season, together with 7-foot ahead Steven Crowl (9.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg) who began all 37 video games, and hard-nosed guard Max Klesmit (9.2 ppg).
John Blackwell (15.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Nolan Winter (9.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) additionally every began all 37 video games. One other key returner is redshirt sophomore guard Jack Janicki, who appeared in all 37 video games.
Senior Nick Boyd, who performed final season at San Diego State (13.4 ppg) after three seasons at Florida Atlantic is anticipated to begin at level guard. Senior guard Andrew Rohde transfers again to his dwelling state after two seasons at Virginia, however averaged 17.1 factors as a freshman at St. Thomas.
Sophomore ahead Austin Rapp, a local of Melbourne, Australia, averaged 13.8 factors, 6.5 rebounds final season at Portland and was West Coast Convention Freshman of the Yr.
Blackwell had 20 factors and Boyd 19 within the exhibition loss to Oklahoma. Rapp had 17 factors and Winter 10. Aleksas Bieliauskas, a 6-10 true freshman ahead from Lithuania, performed 13 minutes vs. Oklahoma, hitting a pair of 3-pointers.
The Badgers shot 43.5 p.c, however had been simply 10 of 31 past the arc. Oklahoma shot 51.8 p.c, together with 55.0 p.c from deep. Andrzejek was wanting ahead to creating his debut in opposition to a ranked crew.
“I wish to play nicely. That is crucial factor,” Andrzejek mentioned on Campbell’s weekly podcast. “And we’ll see what meaning. If we come out of the Madison recreation and enjoying nicely means shedding by eight, I can dwell with that.”
Andrzejek inherited simply 4 returning gamers, together with senior guard Cam Gregory (7.8 ppg), who began 31 of 32 video games. Graduate pupil guard Tasos Prepare dinner (4.9 ppg) began seven of the eight remaining video games.
Graduate switch guard DJ Smith (9.1 ppg) began 32 of 35 video games final season at Robert Morris after one season at Bowling Inexperienced and two at Little Rock. Sophomore ahead Dovydas Butka began all 35 video games at Pepperdine (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg).
Sophomore guard Jeremiah Johnson began 27 video games at Inexperienced Bay (10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg).
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