Category: Wisconsin badger

 

 

Badgers juniors Serah Williams and Ronnie Porter discuss their 91-61 loss to the Bruins in Wednesday’s regular season home finale.

 

It’s a true family affair with the Grzesk family and UW-Green Bay.

 

Gracie Grzesk will now add her own chapter with the Phoenix women’s basketball team after the University of Wisconsin freshman transfer committed to UW-Green Bay on March 23.

 

“It’s definitely special and kind of surreal getting to live on the family tradition and play in a Phoenix uniform. I’m really excited,” Grzesk said.

 

Gracie Grzesk’s father, Gary, was a four-year standout for the Phoenix from 1992-96, helping lead the Phoenix to three NCAA Tournament appearances, and later was an assistant coach during the 2001-02 season. Liz Hauger Grzesk, Gracie’s mother, also coached at UW-Green Bay, serving as an assistant under former Phoenix coach Kevin Borseth from 2002-04.

 

That familiarity with the Phoenix stems beyond Gracie Grzesk’s parents, though. Upon entering the transfer portal on March 13, Phoenix coach Kayla Karius (Tetschlag) was quick to reconnect with the former Green Bay Notre Dame standout.

 

It’s fitting, given Karius recruited Grzesk when she was part of the Badgers coaching staff from 2018-21 under former coach Jonathan Tsipis.

 

“Obviously a lot of the people that recruit you when you’re in the portal are familiar faces, and Kayla was super familiar to me,” Gracie Grzesk said. “I’ve talked to her for years, wherever she recruited me, so I obviously knew who she was right away and it just made everything so much easier.”

 

Grzesk, who averaged 4.4 minutes per game while scoring 10 total points in 16 games during her only season with the Badgers, didn’t state specifically why she chose to leave Wisconsin, stating her decision was “what was best for me and my situation.”

 

When she entered the transfer portal, numerous schools contacted her, both from the Power Four and mid-major level, as well as some Division II schools, with Drake and UW-Green Bay becoming the final candidates.

 

Gracie Grzesk1

Former Wisconsin guard Gracie Grzesk races after a loose ball against UW-Milwaukee’s Sophia Rampulla during a nonconference game on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Grzesk committed to UW-Green Bay on March 23. SEAN DAVIS, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

While Grzesk said she “really could have seen myself happy at either place,” the Phoenix won out for two reasons.

 

“Ultimately, Green Bay is home, and the level of sustained success that the program has had is hard to beat,” Grzesk said.

 

That winning culture continued under Karius, a 2011 Phoenix grad, in her first season this winter, finishing 29-6, including 19-1 in Horizon League play, and winning both the conference regular season and tournament titles. UW-Green Bay fell to Alabama 81-67 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, the program’s 20th appearance all-time.

 

Grzesk will feel plenty comfortable on the court in the Phoenix’s read-and-react offense. It’s the same system Grzesk’s high school coach, Sara Rohde (Boyer), ran at Notre Dame, and the same one Rohde played in under Borseth from 2000-03.

 

The 5-foot-11 guard feels her versatility and size will play right into the system’s strengths.

 

“They post up their guards a lot, which is something that I’ve always done, and then just my IQ and their read-and-react offense, I think it just fits my style of play very well,” Grzesk said.

 

“Gracie is the prototype Phoenix women’s basketball player — great size, versatile skillset, strong IQ, and the ability to defend multiple positions,” Karius added of Grzesk in UW-Green Bay’s announcement of the latter’s signing.

 

Gracie Grzesk1

Wisconsin guard Gracie Grzesk said a chance to play for her father’s alma mater and the program’s success was “hard to beat” in her choosing to transfer to UW-Green Bay. SEAN DAVIS, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Grzesk will also mesh well with the returning players, having competed against some of the players and met everyone else. She’ll also have plenty of opportunity to put that on display, with the Phoenix set to lose seven seniors to graduation.

 

Grzesk said Karius likened her to outgoing guard/forward Maddy Schreiber, the Phoenix’s second-leading scorer last season who averaged 12.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 25 games. Grzesk also understands that doesn’t guarantee her anything, and she’s eager to earn her place.

 

“I mean, no coach really promises playing time, so obviously there’s opportunity to play there, but at the same time, you have to work for it as well,” she said.

 

: Wisconsin women’s basketball hosts No. 2 UCLA in home finale

Halle Douglass

Wisconsin guard Halle Douglass attempts a 3-pointer during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Lily Krahn

Wisconsin guard Lily Krahn shoots over UCLA’s Elina Aarnisalo during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Natalie Leuzinger

Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger looks for an open teammate during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Carter McCray

Wisconsin center Carter McCray drives against UCLA’s Lauren Betts during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

UCLA’s Lauren Betts

UCLA’s Lauren Betts, right, high-fives Angela Dugalic after making a basket through contact during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Tess Myers

Wisconsin guard Tess Myers follows through on a 3-point attempt during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Ronnie Porter

Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter fires a pass up court during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Serah Williams

Wisconsin forward Serah Williams was named to the All-Big Ten first team and the all-conference defensive team on Tuesday. SEAN DAVIS, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Alie Bisballe

Wisconsin forward Alie Bisballe looks for an open teammate during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

UCLA’s Angela Dugalic

UCLA’s Angela Dugalic looks for an open teammate while being guarded by Wisconsin’s Carter McCray during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley

Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley directs her team during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Halle Douglass

Wisconsin guard Halle Douglass tries to drive by UCLA’s Timea Gardiner during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Lily Krahn

Wisconsin guard Lily Krahn drives against UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Natalie Leuzinger

Wisconsin guard Natalie Leuzinger drives to the basket against UCLA’s Timea Gardiner during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

UCLA’s Timea Gardiner

UCLA’s Timea Gardiner tries to back down Wisconsin’s Halle Douglass during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Carter McCray

Wisconsin center Carter McCray shoots over UCLA’s Timea Gardiner during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Tess Myers

Wisconsin guard Tess Myers drives into the lane during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Ronnie Porter

Wisconsin guard Ronnie Porter drives around UCLA’s Londynn Jones during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

Serah Williams

Wisconsin forward Serah Williams shoots over UCLA’s Lauren Betts during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

 

UCLA’s Kiki Rice looks to drive by Wisconsin’s Natalie Leuzinger during a Big Ten Conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kohl Center in Madison. SEAN DAVIS LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

 

 

 

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) smiles while guarding Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in a semifinals game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 77-74.

John Tonje already poured his heart out for the Wisconsin Badgers but he is not yet done helping the team as he is willing to stretch himself out to make sure they will remain competitive.

 

John Tonje, Wisconsin Badgers, Carter Gilmore

Mar 15, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) and Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) celebrate after a play during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The 23-year-old guard played his last game for the Badgers in second round loss to the BYU Cougars in March Madness.

 

He scored 37 points in that game, recording the most scored by a Badger in an NCAA tournament game. His 52 points in the two games they played in the tourney were also the most by any player through the first three days.

 

That’s the grandest way to end your college career but Tonje is not yet done.

 

He is willing to go out of his way and help the team in its recruitment believing UW-Madison can help players shine in a competitive conference, just like what happened to him.

 

Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) listens to head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Oregon beat Wisconsin 77-73 in overtime.

Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) listens to head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Oregon beat Wisconsin 77-73 in overtime.

“I would absolutely recommend Wisconsin basketball to a player that’s looking to go somewhere to kind of thrive and get better honestly,” he said in an interview with Badger Extra.

 

“That’s essentially why I picked here. Obviously, it’s a step up (in competition), and I get to play at the Power 5 level, which I had been looking for, and then also just a great coaching staff, great team and culture and city.”

 

John Tonje’s farewell message to Wisconsin Badgers

Tonje has been very consistent with his love for the Badgers.

 

“The family, experiences, lessons, and memories I have developed here in Madison are ones I will never forget and run way deeper than just basketball. I’m forever in debt to my teammates, coaches, and supporters, who made this year so special!! Love yall!! #9 out,” he said in his farewell message.

 

Right now, he is busier preparing for the next step in his career. He is expected to enter the NBA draft and his last few games have been helpful in raising his stock.

 

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) celebrates a made basket

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

ESPN predicts him to get picked at 52nd, although one of the main reasons of low regard is his age. His scoring ability is still highlighted.

 

“Tonje’s strength, perimeter shooting and ability to get into the paint and to the line give him role player potential, considering the constant need for 3-point shooting role players.”

 

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The NCAA basketball transfer portal has been extremely active, but in typical Greg Gard fashion, he goes after specific players and limited players. He isn’t just spraying offers all over the portal; he wants very specific fits with very specific personality types. Yesterday, a new name appeared in the portal that may fit what Greg Gard is looking for.

 

Lipscomb’s Jacob Ognacevic has entered the portal and is a name to watch for Wisconsin

Jacob Ognacevic is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and has spent the last three years at Lipscomb turning into quite the impressive player. Each season of his career, he has grown in his ability to score points and get rebounds. In his first season at Valparaiso, he averaged 6.3 points and 2 rebounds a game. In his next three years, he increased each year in both categories to finish this last season with 20 points and 8 rebounds a game.

 

That’s right, he was averaging 20 points a game in the ASUN. If you think it’s maybe because he was playing in the ASUN, think again. He scored 17 against Iowa State, 16 against Arkansas, and 17 against Kentucky. He can consistently score even against top-ranked teams.

 

He was a 6’8 “forward for Lipscomb, so the question for Gard’s new style of offense is whether he can shoot the three. The answer is also yes; he shoots it at a 40% rate and is also nearly an 80% free-throw shooter. He seems to be a perfect fit for Gard as he checks all the boxes for what could fit the Badgers: Wisconsin native, veteran player, bucket getter, three-point shooting big, and knocks down free throws.

 

He’s definitely a name that fans should keep an eye on. Gard needs to replace a handful of seniors, and a couple of them are his primary bigs: Steven Crowl and Carter Gilmore. Ognacevic may be the guy that Gard is looking for.

 

•

 

The former prized 4-star recruit of the 2023 recruiting class for the Wisconsin Badgers is back in the transfer portal seeking his third school in three years. Gus Yalden started his career at Wisconsin, moved to Seton Hall after redshirting his freshman year for the Badgers, and is now looking for a new opportunity outside of the Pirates.

 

Seton Hall’s Gus Yalden has entered the transfer portal, looking for his third school in three years

Gus Yalden came to Wisconsin in 2023 as the prized recruit of the class, but after having some off-the-court incidents at the University of Wisconsin and then needing a leave of absence for personal reasons, he ended up never playing for the Badgers. He used his freshman year as a redshirt and the first year of eligibility at Seton Hall.

 

The other recruits in that 2023 recruiting class were Nolan Winter and John Blackwell. It’s funny looking back at that class now, thinking Yalden was the homerun while it ended up being the other two. This isn’t to say Yalden won’t end up being a great player at the college level, but it hasn’t happened yet.

 

Yalden played in 26 games for Seton Hall, averaging 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game for the Pirates, but he only played 8.4 minutes on average. He was a bit buried on the depth chart, and that could be a major reason he’s looking for a new opportunity.

 

The 6’9″ Appleton, Wisconsin native let the Wisconsin Badgers ship sail away, but it will be interesting to see where he lands and if he’s able to get to the level that everyone thought when he was entering college. He still has incredible size and talent, but what remains to be seen is if he can translate it onto the court game in and game out.

 

•

 

 

With the portal now open, and the Badgers in need of some fresh talent after losing six seniors, Sam Kayser has reported that Wisconsin is one of the teams in pursuit of a fast rising wing.

 

Badgers looking at another scorer in Bubu Benjamin in the transfer portal

Tarleton State guard BuBu Benjamin has heard from the Badgers along with several other programs since entering the transfer portal. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last season on 44% shooting and 38% from three, which is eerily similar to John Tonje’s averages the year before his injury. Tonje averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game on 47% shooting and 39% from the field in 2022.

 

Gard has gotten huge seasons out of AJ Storr and now Tonje after recruiting them to Madison. Could Benjamin be the next in line? He certainly seems to fit the bill, at least on paper.

 

Wisconsin will face some steep competition for the wing out of Tarleton, but there’s no question Benjamin has the mold that Gard and staff are looking for when it comes to roster building, so he should be a high priority. Outside of John Blackwell, Wisconsin lacks a go-to bucket getter, and Benjamin could fill that void. Last season he had six games scoring over 20 points.

 

The Badgers will almost certainly grab a wing and a center in the portal and maybe more. Benjamin would be a nice add who could plug into the starting lineup right away.

 

•

 

Since January, there’s been a lot of talk about how the transfer portal was going to shake out for the Wisconsin Badgers in the offseason. The biggest priorities for fans and the coaching staff were to make sure star sophomores John Blackwell and Nolan Winter did not jump into it. They could probably command some big NIL numbers, and Wisconsin didn’t even want to see them go shopping.

 

John Blackwell posted on social media after the loss to BYU in the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament about coming back next year. Nolan Winter also mentioned “next year” in a social media post by the Wisconsin basketball team. However, in a wonderfully well-written column by Jim Polzin on Madison.com, they both made their intentions for Wisconsin explicitly clear.

 

Nolan Winter and John Blackwell both declare their desire to be Badgers for life.

Jim Polzin talked with both of them about their dads, who played in the Big Ten but in a completely different era. Glynn Blackwell played for Illinois from 1984 to 1988, and Trevor Winter played at Minnesota from 1993 to 1997. Now, the NIL and the transfer portal are a reality, and it’s easy to jump ship and move around. However, neither John Blackwell nor Nolan Winter are interested in that path. They want to stay at Wisconsin for their whole careers.

 

According to Polzin’s article, which is a must read, Blackwell said:

 

“I’m going to be a Badger for life. I want to be remembered as a legend here. I want to be remembered as a guy who stuck around, who’s been through all this madness and business. ”

John Blackwell

And Nolan Winter also said a similar thing:

 

“I’ve kind of got my dad’s blood where you’re with a school for four years when you sign…I’ve got four years here and I’m going to enjoy every year of it. ”

Nolan Winter

This is huge for the Badgers as those two are important building blocks for the incoming 2025-2026 season. Read the full article from Polzin here; there’s so much more to enjoy as a Badger fan.

 

 

Lipscomb Bisons forward Jacob Ognacevic (41) speaks during press conference before NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum.

Wisconsin Badgers basketball team will no longer have John Tonje for next season and that means not having his close to 20 points per game. Maybe they should try recruiting someone who has deep connection to the state?

 

Wisconsin Badgers basketball

Wisconsin Badgers players Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit and John Tonje during a press conference at Ball Arena.

Sheboygan-native Jacob Ognacevic has reportedly entered the transfer portal after recording his best season yet as part of the Lipscomb Bisons.

 

He finished the season averaging 20.1 points per game, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 apg in around 33.6 minutes per outing – all of them are career highs.

 

He entered the ongoing season coming off a medical redshirt stint after suffering a knee injury at the start of the 2023-2024 season.

 

His former school is supportive of his move.

 

Jacob Ognacevic, Lipscom Bisons

; Lipscomb Bisons forward Jacob Ognacevic (41) works out during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

“Jacob has done so much for our program and our university over the past four years,” head coach Lennie Acuff said.

 

“He has graduated with honors while representing Lipscomb in a first class manner on and off the court. He will be be a tremendous addition to whatever program he chooses to finish his career. Jacob Ognacevic will always be a Lipscomb Bison.”

 

Wisconsin Badgers’ necessity for a great scorer

Tonje, Max Klesmit, and Steven Crowl are all parts of the starting unit who will no longer be there when the new season starts.

 

Taking their mantle are John Blackwell and Nolan Winter who are also both part of the starting five.

 

The two’s development is being assured by the team but it would not be wrong for them to make an offer to Ognacevic who has deeper connection with Wisconsin.

 

The 6’8 forward played high school basketball at Sheboygan Lutheran High School where he averaged 30.2 points and 15.7 rebounds per game in his junior year. He eclipsed that in his senior year by recording 39.4 points and 16.1 rebounds per outing.

 

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard reacts to a play

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard reacts to a play against Michigan during the second half of Big Ten Tournament championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

He proceeded to play college hoops with the Valparaiso University but he only played one season there.

 

Right now, there are no news yet of which school he will sign with but given the culture in Wisconsin, the pride of representing the state, Ognacevic can also take a look at Greg Gard’s vision.

 

 

 

 

Madison, WI – After 41 games, Wisconsin women’s hockey captured its storybook ending. With a finish fit for the plot of a unforgettable sports flick, the Badgers captured an eighth national championship.

 

While accepting the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, UW captain Casey O’Brien said to her coaches, “thank you for assembling this ridiculous roster.”

 

That “ridiculous roster” did not just re-write the record books in Madison this season. It put its hands on nearly every page, scribbled out the old names, and tore it to shreds.

 

With a heralded rookie recruiting class that featured both the Team USA and Team Canada Under-18 captains, two returning national player of the year finalists, and perhaps the best defender in the game, excitement about how much that roster could do began to grow all the way back in September.

 

If there were any doubts that this Wisconsin women’s hockey team could be something special, they were erased in the opening 20 minutes of the season. By winning the national title game in a fashion no team in the NCAA had ever done before, UW bookended the season with record-setting victories.

 

The 30 Records Wisconsin Women’s Hockey Set This Season

1 – On September 27th, the Badgers scored early and often in their season-opener. Laila Edwards, who ended the season as the nation’s leading goal-scorer, got her first of the season 77 seconds in. She was assisted by O’Brien, whose record-breaking abilities are well documented below, on the first of eight goals in the first period. UW had never before scored eight times in a single period.

 

2 – Along with those eight goals came 15 assists. Marianne Picard’s goal to put Wisconsin up 5-0 was assisted only by Claire Enright. Wisconsin’s other seven goals came with primary and secondary assists. Never before had a Wisconsin team recorded 14 assists in a period, let alone 15.

 

3 – Tally up all those goals and assists, and you get 23 points, beating UW’s previous record for most points in a period by three.

 

4 – In November, O’Brien broke Wisconsin’s career assists record with her 139th in a Badgers uniform. She finished with 177, tallying the final two on UW’s tying and go-ahead goal in a Frozen Four semifinal win over Minnesota.

 

5 – With her first of two points in a road victory at Bemidji State, Harvey eclipsed Wisconsin’s single-season record for points by a defender. Meaghan Mikkelson tallied 49 points in UW’s national championship campaign in 2006-07. After a five-point performance in the Frozen Four, Harvey finished her season with 63 points.

 

6 – In Game 1 of a best-of-three series to advance to the WCHA Final Faceoff, Wisconsin used a relentless forecheck to hold the Bemidji State Beavers at bay. The Badgers have had plenty of overpowering offenses over the years; this team became yet another to hold a team without a shot-on-goal in a period. Wisconsin blanked Bemidji in the second period, the 30th time in program history an opponent did not get through to a Badgers goaltender in a period.

 

7 – Not satisfied with the career assists record, O’Brien became UW’s career points leader this season. With a six-point performance to clinch Wisconsin’s spot in the Final Faceoff, the Milton, Massachusetts native surpassed Hilary Knight’s 262.

 

8 – Five of her points in that game against the Beavers came in the first period, giving O’Brien the program record for most points in a single period.

 

9 – Four of those five first-period points were assists, setting another Badgers record for most helpers in a single period.

O’Brien was on the ice in that eventful first period for five of Wisconsin’s seven even-strength goals. That tied the existing UW record for best plus-minus in a single period, putting O’Brien alongside Kelly Jaminski’s +5 second-period against Lindenwood in 2011.

 

In that same game, the Badgers scored eight first-period goals (one shorthanded), tying the record the team set for goals in a period against Lindenwood on opening night.

 

10 – Amidst all the records set by O’Brien, Wisconsin set a season-long record. A year ago, the Badgers tallied a program-best 355 assists. In the final minute against Bemidji State, UW scored twice. First, Sarah Wozniewicz was assisted by O’Brien and Lacey Eden to tie the season-long record with less than 53.7 remaining.

 

Then, Finley McCarthy put Wisconsin’s 11th goal of the game in the net with only one second remaining in the 3rd period. Two of McCarthy’s fellow rookies, Emma Venusio and Hannah Halverson, assisted to break the record that was not yet a full 365 days old. Wisconsin finished the season with 392 helpers – over 10% more than the previous record’s total.

 

11 – That last-second goal also tied the UW record of 557 points in a season, set last year. In Wisconsin’s next game, against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the Final Faceoff, a Kelly Gorbatenko goal and Laney Potter assist put the 2024-25 Badgers atop the program leaderboard before ultimately finishing with 613 points.

 

12 – The Badgers had another new career-points record set in that first game of the Final Faceoff. With two points in a come-from-behind victory against Minnesota Duluth, Harvey tied and eclipsed Sis Paulsen’s program-best 130 career points by a defender. With her senior season still to play, Harvey has tallied 137 points in a Wisconsin uniform.

 

13 – Topping her performance of the first Badger with 50 assists in a single season last year, O’Brien broke her own program record for most assists in a single season with 62. Her pair of helpers in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final made her the first Badger ever with 60 assists in a season.

 

14 – With three points in the national semifinal against Minnesota, O’Brien tallied her 86th, 87th, and 88th point of the season, edging out UW’s previous single-season scorer Meghan Duggan’s 87.

 

15 – Finishing that game against the Golden Gophers +3 in the box score, O’Brien finished her time in the Cardinal and White +205. It is by far the best plus-minus of any Wisconsin Badgers career, surpassing Brianna Decker’s +175 (2009-13) by 30.

 

16 – With the top three scorers in the country, four of the top five, and five of the top seven, the Badgers broke the previous program record for goals in a season. Wisconsin surpassed the previous record, set in the 2010-11 season, of 212 goals with Harvey’s second-period go-ahead goal against Minnesota in the Frozen Four. Kirsten Simms’ dramatic final goals of the season brought UW’s season-long total to 221.

 

17 – Before Wisconsin and Minnesota had met Friday, no team had ever beaten the Golden Gophers six times in one season. The Badgers did just that to get to their third-straight national title game.

 

18 – With six wins in the Border Battle this year, and four last season, Wisconsin has gotten the better of Minnesota ten games in a row. That was enough for the Badgers to overtake the Gophers for the all-time series lead between the two powerhouse programs, 58-57-16. Previously, UW had never led the all-time series.

 

19 – The day between the Frozen Four semifinal and championship game, the CCM/ACHA revealed their All-American teams. Four of the five first-team all-American skaters for 2025 play for the Badgers (O’Brien, Harvey, Edwards, and Simms). With their selections, Wisconsin now boasts the most First-Team All-Americans ever with 27, surpassing Minnesota’s 24.

 

20 – Less than an hour after the All-American teams were announced, USA Hockey named Casey O’Brien the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recipient. With six winners of the award given to the top women’s college hockey player, UW is now tied with Harvard for the most.

 

21 – Even before the winner was officially announced, the Badgers would inevitably tie the Crimson’s record. There was no doubt because all three finalists played for Wisconsin. O’Brien, Edwards, and Simms became the second-ever trio of teammates to sweep the finalist spots. The only other team to do so was the 41-0 undefeated national champion 2013 Minnesota Gophers.

 

22 – Goaltender Ava McNaughton needed a record-setting performance to bring the national title back to Madison. In 2019, Kirsten Campbell’s 35 wins became the program-record for wins by a Badgers netminder in a single-season. McNaughton’s victory against Ohio State was the 36th of her sophomore campaign.

 

23 – With the most-prolific scoring offense in the country, and the national goaltender of the year backstopping the best defense in the nation, the Badgers set a program-record for team plus-minus. Finishing +703, UW surpassed its previous-best mark of +589 set a season ago.

 

24 – Leading the way with her combined offensive and defensive output was Harvey. With a season-long mark of +75, the back-to-back WCHA Defensive Player of the Year bested Duggan’s +69 campaign in 2010-11.

 

25 – The final win of Wisconsin’s season cemented it as the national champion and the winningest team in program history. Win number 38 put the Badgers ahead of the 37-win national title-winning Wisconsin team in 2011.

 

26 – By adding that 38th win, UW set a program record for season-long winning percentage. The .951 mark (38-1-2) surpassed the 2011 team’s .927 (37-2-2).

 

27 – That final win of the season added to head coach Mark Johnson’s record for the most wins by an NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey head coach. The 22-year Badgers veteran now has 667 wins to his name.

 

28 – That 667th win, of course, came with a national championship. Wisconsin already had one more NCAA title than any other program in the country. The most recent championship puts the Badgers in sole possession of the most women’s ice hockey championships in any division. Plattsburgh State has won seven Division III titles.

 

29 – Alongside the program record, no other head coach in any division of the NCAA has led a team to more women’s ice hockey national titles than Johnson.

 

30 – Getting that final, record-setting win was no easy task. When Wisconsin went down 3-1 at the beginning of the second-period against Ohio State, it was forced to do what no team in the history of the Women’s Frozen Four championship game had ever done before: erase a two goal deficit to win the national title.

 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

 

 

 

 

The transfer portal ‘officially’ opened up earlier this week, and the Wisconsin basketball team has the first member of their 2024-25 team enter. Junior guard Camren Hunter has entered the portal, according to a report by On3’s Pete Nakos.

 

Hunter spent one season with the Badgers after transferring in last offseason from Central Arkansas. As a transfer last offseason, 247Sports had him as a 4-star player in the portal.

 

During his time in Madison, Hunter played in 11 games and just 2.1 minutes per game. He averaged 0.3 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game while shooting 12.5% from the field.

 

The Wisconsin basketball team will look very different next season. John Tonje, Max Klesmit, Carter Gilmore, Steven Crowl, and Markus Ilver will all move on after using up their eligibility. Hunter likely won’t be the only member of the team to enter the portal this offseason.

 

Gard and his staff will liekly be aggressive in the transfer portal as they will look to reshape the team. Wisconsin fans can expect plenty of movement in the coming weeks as the program works to build a competitive roster for the future.

 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

 

 

 

Despite a section of the fanbase that wants him fired, the Wisconsin Badgers have been a consistent winner throughout Greg Gard’s tenure as head coach. Gard has a record of 212–117, won 117 Big Ten games, and won two regular-season shared titles. In addition, Gard has two Sweet 16 appearances in 2016 and 2017. This season might have even been his best coaching job yet.

 

Gard has accomplished feats in Madison that some programs have not achieved since the turn of the century. Two of those programs are Iowa and Minnesota, which are looking to turn around their respective men’s basketball programs starting next season.

 

Wisconsin Badger fans will be introduced to new rival coaches in 2025-26

On Monday, the Iowa Hawkeyes made it official by hiring Drake men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum as the next head coach in Iowa City. McCollum takes over for Badger villain Fran McCaffery, the program’s all-time wins leader who was fired the day after Iowa bowed out of the Big Ten tournament.

 

Before coming to Drake, McCollum was an ultra-successful head coach at Division II Northwest Missouri State, where he won 394 games and four (!!) NCAA championships. In his only season at Drake, McCollum, with a roster consisting of Division II transfers headlined by Bennett Stirtz, went 31-4 with wins over Vanderbilt and Kansas State and won both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament crown.

 

McCollum takes over a Hawkeyes team that finished with a 17-16 record and a second-consecutive season without an NCAA tournament berth. The Hawkeyes have not reached the Sweet 16 since 1999, Dr. Tom Davis’ final season at Iowa, and have not won at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season crown since 1979.

 

In the Twin Cities, Colorado State head coach and Minnesota alum Niko Medved accepted the Golden Gophers’ men’s basketball head coaching position. Medved takes over for Ben Johnson, who finished with a 56-71 record, including an 0-7 record against Wisconsin.

 

Medved comes to Minnesota with a 222-172 record that includes stops at Furman, Drake, and Colorado State. At CSU, Medved, who coached John Tonje in Fort Collins, won 143 games in the 2025 Mountain West tournament and earned three invitations to the NCAA tournament. He takes over a program at Minnesota that has not only failed to make the Big Dance since 2019 but hasn’t made the second weekend since their vacated 1997 Final Four season.