Former Marquette Golden Eagles assistant coach Fred Hill
Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Fred Hill against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the first round of the men’s Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden.
Greg Gard and Wisconsin Badgers basketball program have been acing it in the transfer portal but for Nick Boyd, they had a help from an unlikely personality.
Nick Boyd
Mar 17, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Nick Boyd (2) speaks with the media during the First Four Practice at UD Arena.
Boyd was among the hottest players in the transfer portal after he decided he will leave the San Diego State Aztecs. The Badgers were interested and they acted on it quick. They landed him in just a few days.
It’s not like it was a rushed decision. Boyd said he studied his decision with Washington Huskies among those he was contemplating about.
Wisconsin Badgers coach Greg Gard
Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
He also consulted some key figures in college basketball season. Among them is former Marquette Golden Eagles assistant coach Fred Hill.
How are the two connected? Boyd is the nephew of Hill who worked with Golden Eagles from 1986 to 1988. He spent 37 years as assistant coach or head coach.
Fred Hill’s view of Wisconsin Badgers helped Nick Boyd
Greg Gard spoke glowingly about Boyd and his probable fit with John Blackwell and Nolan Winter. He also praised him for his experience he carries.
Boyd knows about the program but his discussion with Hill were probably the nails in the coffin on this transfer. Boyd wants to both win and become an NBA player.
What did he say to his nephew about the Badgers? He thought the young player can get both under Gard.
Former Rutgers head coach Fred Hill
Feb 23, 2010; Newark, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Fred Hill during the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates at the Prudential Center. Seton Hall Pirates defeat Rutgers Scarlet Knights by a score of 76-70.
“The biggest concern was what Nick wanted to get accomplished in his last year of college basketball,” Hill said in an interview with Badger Blitz.
“He wants to be a pro, and I wouldn’t put it past him at all that he’ll get an opportunity to play in the NBA. The focus was going to a program where he could be the leader of a team he felt that could win championships. We know how hard that is, but that’s his goal, and he made a phenomenal decision for his final year.”
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