Gonzaga Steals Wisconsin’s Top 2027 Prospect
Milwaukee’s own Dooney Johnson, the state’s highest-ranked 2027 guard, has opted for Gonzaga after a whirlwind of official visits that included stops at Marquette and Madison. Despite Wisconsin Badgers coach Greg Gard’s efforts—and even hosting Johnson at their High School Advanced Camp—the consensus four-star talent pledged to the Bulldogs, swayed by hometown chants at Spokane’s McCarthey Athletic Center. Johnson, rated No. 30 nationally, marks the first in-state recruiting setback for the Badgers in this cycle. Wisconsin still chases fellow Wisconsin standouts Donovan Davis, Jack Kohnen, Deuce McDuffie, and Jalen Brown, but Gard’s “We want Dooney” rally fell just short.
In a shocking twist of fate, Wisconsin discovered that sometimes “home cooking” tastes better elsewhere—especially when your mascot chants your name louder than your own fans. One might argue that the Badgers are merely fostering cross-state camaraderie by training recruits for Gonzaga’s gourmet program. If recruiting were a buffet, Gard just politely waited 20 minutes in line only to watch the entrée vanish at the front station. Still, don’t shed tears yet: the Badgers have plenty more basketball peas in their recruiting pod to chase.
Winter Warms Up Against Division III Foes
Seven-foot junior center Nolan Winter struggled in Wisconsin’s exhibition loss to Oklahoma, shooting 3-for-11 and getting blocked four times. But against UW-Platteville’s smaller lineup, he erupted for a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double, making seven of eight two-point attempts without fouls or turnovers. His lone flaw: an 0-for-4 free throw night marred by an airball. Head coach Greg Gard praised Winter’s physical growth to 250 pounds but emphasized the need for mental consistency—particularly at the charity stripe. Winter says he’s moved on from the Oklahoma game and will approach each shot with “the mentality of dunking everything.”
Ah, the classic “let’s try the same player twice” experiment—spoiler alert, it worked! Winter’s performance swings like a metronome between “inner fortress” and “free throw prison.” It’s almost as if he needs a motivational pep talk taped to the rim before each foul shot: “Dear Nolan, you’re tall. Act like it.” Meanwhile, Wisconsin fans can rest easy knowing that at least one of their biggest men is now more brickhouse than house of cards—just pray he remembers to lay soft bricks at the line.
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