Trying to run through some thoughts about the functionally over UW season (for my catharsis).
This team was supposed to be one that would have to grind its way to the tournament. It returned three starters, only added two of the three transfers it wanted. The hope, I think, was to use those three as crutches, have them play well enough to lead the team to the dance with some support.
That kind of happened in the first half, even if they were playing worse than their record. Then in the second half, they just couldn't close one too many times. It's interesting because this is probably one of the worst years UW has had in terms of top guys playing like top guys, and it's worth digging a little more into things player-by-player.
Tyler Wahl - A taller, non-shooting power forward, he was the top returning scorer. I think the idea was that he'd be a second or third option as Crowl and Hepburn stepped up, but they did not. It also didn't help that Wahl, whose whole deal is flipping up shots in the post, just kept rolling shots off the rim (and then getting frustrated and forcing things).
So you ended up with a high-usage guy whose efficiency cratered. He was also the backup center and spent half the year dribbling off screens at the end of the clock. Not ideal.
Chucky Hepburn - I thought he'd grow into a traditional UW point guard. If he wasn't the best shot creator this year, I assumed he'd at least be efficient. He was neither. He turned in one of the worst numerical efficiency seasons at the position in the past two decades, despite good 3-point shooting, low turnovers and above assist number. Simply put, the easiest way this team could be dancing was him, I think the most talented player, playing better, which I think he can and should next year.
Steven Crowl - His post game, rebounding and overall play came together somewhat nicely, even with some spacing issues. But his shooting was a big, big problem. Last year, he was a so-so 32 percent from 3 and a nice 80 percent from the line. That fell to 28 from 3 and 60 from the line. This meant UW was a considerably worse spacing team, he was a much worse screening option and you were more gun-shy about him going all out in the post. He was probably UW's most effective player, but but one metric was the worst "best" player on a UW team as far back as the stat goes (and realistically back to the Dick Bennett era)
Max Klesmit - A mid-major (low-major?) transfer, he showed up and was a pretty good shooting guard. Good enough defender, good shooter, ok secondary ball-handler, did the job. Efficiency was a bit low, I think owing to somewhat low free-throw shooting
(both guards shooting worse than 70 percent, oy). Also a bit streaky. Still, a nice No. 4 guy.
Connor Essegian - Showed up as a lightly-regarded freshman, had moments when he was a flat-out offensive flamethrower. Great release, good shooter, can shoot off platform. He's a true freshman, and 90 percent of the shots he takes seem fine. It a comically bad defender, and tailed off a bit late, which would be less impactful if this team wasn't a hair from making the tournament. I'm happy he's in Madison and looking forward to him loading up on local NIL when Kentucky tries to tamper.
Jordan Davis - At times, he was a nice wing defender and also popped as a cutter. Overall, a bit spacey and very inconsistent. Credit to him for not turning it over and making a few plays, but you can't shoot 32 percent from 3, not get to the line and not hit free throws. He lost a starting spot, and while I'd like him to stick around, I wouldn't be surprised if he left. (He also made a defensive mistake that contributed to a very lucky shot in a loss, but it's also worth noting, the shot was stupid lucky)
Carter Gilmore - A former walk-on who has been thrust into a bad space. He's a really nice, switchy defensive forward who knows what he's doing, which means another big has to hit a certain floor before he plays. It also means Gilmore is a 6-7 former walk-on defending Big Ten players who has yet to translate apparent practice shooting skill into game skill. Basically, he'd be a great 9th man, good enough 8th man, but was the 7th man and first big off the bench. I think he probably sticks around, but if he wanted to go be a good Horizon League guy, couldn't blame him.
Kamari McGee - A UW-Green Bay transfer, they got him because they hoped he could be a competent backup point guard. For most of the year he wasn't, late in the year, he was OK enough. He shot 24 percent from 3 and generally wasn't good. I think he could grow into a nice backup, but I could also see him leaving for a better opportunity and would not blame him.
Isaac Lindsey - A walk-on (who got a one-year scholarship) and in essence mostly played because McGee couldn't hold down the job. Kid has a lot of gunner in him, but probably too small and slight to see real minutes. Nice guy to have in the back pocket, even if him playing means issues in the front pocket. Could be a nice Mid-Major guard if he wants.
Markus Ilver - Skinny stretch 4 who has some offensive skill. Simply wasn't consistent enough in shooting to make up for being to skinny and inexperienced on defense. Would be unsurprised if he leaves.
Chris Hodges - Thick, squat center type who flat out wasn't ready and was a foul machine when he played. I think there's some promise there, but is a prime transfer candidate. Simply put, this team had no backup center, and he played 29 minutes (the lack of blowouts didn't help)
Other than them, Jahcobi Neath played a bit but was again mostly hurt. Guessing he filters off the roster.
Assuming Wahl is back, Neath departs for health reasons and Lindsey comes off scholarship, they're at 13 scholarships. Early rumors are they expect to add two transfers, most likely one big and one taller wing. So that means at least two departures. I'd put my bet on more.
