The Wisconsin Badgers are set to open their 2023-2024 season with a home game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Monday, before a tough contest against the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers on Friday at the Kohl Center.
However, fans got their first look at the new-look Badgers during an exhibition game last week, where Wisconsin defeated UW-Stevens Point 87-44 at the Kohl Center.
The story of the exhibition game was the transfer of AJ Storr, who led the team with 14 points as a starter.
But, the other big story was the player he replaced: guard Connor Essegian, who has been demoted to the sixth man this season, with Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl, and Storr starting for the Badgers.
Essegian, the team’s second-leading scorer in 2023 and leading three-point shooter, served as a wing on a short roster last season that featured three players who stood 6’4 or shorter.
With Storr’s arrival in Madison, Essegian has become the odd man out, but could it be a good thing for Wisconsin?
Last season, the Badgers lacked scoring off the bench, leading head coach Greg Gard to trim his preseason rotation to seven or eight players, highlighting his top five.
This year, the Badgers have two “microwave” options, or scorers who can create their own shots at will, alongside wings Essegian and Storr, so it makes sense to stagger their minutes, provide more shots on the board and save. high profile option for second unit dependency.
Head coach Greg Gard acknowledged the importance of Essegian coming off the bench, pointing to the importance of scoring well off the bench and the flexibility provided by the lineup.
“I think it gives us a good weapon,” Gard said of Essegian coming off the bench. “I think they’re the best teams I’ve been in, I’ve scored goals from the bench. So for him, I think it’s a good time for him to come in and get into a rhythm and we can play with different combinations.”
Has anything changed in Essegian’s approach?
If anything, it allows him to play freely, as there are more scoring opportunities with the second unit, while Gard still relies on a green-light shooting guard.
“For him, like I did tonight, he’s not shy, that’s true, but he’s one of those guys who let him shoot it if he thinks he’s proven enough,” Gard said of Essegian.
“His statistics when he is in training are really good. He is in his 40s by the volume he takes in three. Capturing it at that level in live action is great. So, yes, if he likes it, he has the green light to shoot it right here.”
Now, the big question when it comes to Essegian is whether he will be on the roster
The Wisconsin Badgers are set to open their 2023-2024 season with a home game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Monday, before a tough contest against the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers on Friday at the Kohl Center.
However, fans got their first look at the new-look Badgers during an exhibition game last week, where Wisconsin defeated UW-Stevens Point 87-44 at the Kohl Center.
The story of the exhibition game was the transfer of AJ Storr, who led the team with 14 points as a starter.
But, the other big story was the player he replaced: guard Connor Essegian, who has been demoted to the sixth man this season, with Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl, and Storr starting for the Badgers.
Essegian, the team’s second-leading scorer in 2023 and leading three-point shooter, served as a wing on a short roster last season that featured three players who stood 6’4 or shorter.
With Storr’s arrival in Madison, Essegian has become the odd man out, but could it be a good thing for Wisconsin?
Last season, the Badgers lacked scoring off the bench, leading head coach Greg Gard to trim his preseason rotation to seven or eight players, highlighting his top five.
This year, the Badgers have two “microwave” options, or scorers who can create their own shots at will, alongside wings Essegian and Storr, so it makes sense to stagger their minutes, provide more shots on the board and save. high profile option for second unit dependency.
Head coach Greg Gard acknowledged the importance of Essegian coming off the bench, pointing to the importance of scoring well off the bench and the flexibility provided by the lineup.
“I think it gives us a good weapon,” Gard said of Essegian coming off the bench. “I think they’re the best teams I’ve been in, I’ve scored goals from the bench. So for him, I think it’s a good time for him to come in and get into a rhythm and we can play with different combinations.”
Has anything changed in Essegian’s approach?
If anything, it allows him to play freely, as there are more scoring opportunities with the second unit, while Gard still relies on a green-light shooting guard.
“For him, like I did tonight, he’s not shy, that’s true, but he’s one of those guys that you let him shoot if he thinks he’s proven enough,” Gard said of Essegian.
“His statistics when he is in training are really good. He is in his 40s by the volume he takes in three. To shoot it at that level in live action is great. So, yes, if he likes it, he has the green light to shoot it right here.”
Now, the big question when it comes to Essegian is whether he will be on the roster.
In some ways, the closing system is more important than the first, as that is the five that the coach will rely on in a difficult time.
A possible solution would be to get Essegian involved in the offense, while putting combo guard Max Klesmit on defense in pursuit of finishing plays, but the Badgers also value the latter’s shooting ability and playmaking ability.
While Friday’s game isn’t expected to be close, as the Badgers are seen as 13.5-point favorites, Wisconsin has a tough test against Tennessee on Friday, which could push the team to pull off a tough roster spot.
