Wisconsin’s Roster Riddles: Three Portal Puzzles
The Badgers begin portal season already bleeding backcourt scorers. John Blackwell, a three-year contributor and third-team All-Big Ten pick, is off to the NBA Draft and transfer window, joining Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington, and Andrew Rohde among departing guards. Wisconsin now must replace its two top 20-point scorers, address point-guard duties, shore up perimeter defense, and bolster bench depth. Nolan Winter’s looming decision adds more uncertainty. With only Zach Kinziger, Hayden Jones, and Jack Janicki returning, plus incoming Aussie guard Owen Foxwell and freshman recruits, Greg Gard’s staff faces a 15-day sprint to fill five holes: a primary playmaker, lockdown defenders, and experienced bench pieces to keep the Badgers competitive next season.
Move over Hogwarts, Madison has a new sorting hat—only instead of houses it’s scouting portal releases by GPA and 3-point accuracy. It’s like Swiss cheese: every hole is someone draining triples or dunking on your championship aspirations. Blackwell’s departure isn’t just a loss; it’s like firing the lead singer of a rock band mid-tour because he preferred jazz. Now the coaching staff must become talent SWAT teams, parachuting into other campuses and ripping players from unsuspecting rosters. Will they catch a slam-dunk recruit or end up with another transfer who can’t jump over a pancake? Stay tuned—this portal frenzy makes reality TV look tame.
Portal Familiarity: Janowski’s Homecoming Hint
St. Thomas redshirt freshman Nick Janowski, a former four-star Pewaukee guard, entered the transfer portal, reviving Wisconsin’s earlier interest. Janowski averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as Summit League freshman of the year. He piled up 2,297 high-school points and attracted Power Five offers, including Wisconsin’s in 2022—but the Badgers pivoted to Daniel Freitag. With UW losing three guards and John Blackwell going pro, experienced backcourt options are scarce. Janowski’s familiarity with the program and proven scoring make him a compelling target amid Madison’s urgent portal overhaul.
In today’s version of “Where’s My College Suitcase?” the Badgers have a reunion tour with Nick Janowski—because nothing says stability like revisiting your second-choice options. Janowski’s stats read like a mixtape of triple-doubles and buzzer-beaters; now Wisconsin must decide if “Been There, Scored That” is enough to revitalize their stagnant offense. Expect insider jokes about “veteran transfers” who age like fine cheese and sideline chemistry sessions over bad parking tickets. It’s recruitment Bingo: mark off “former commit,” “big scorer,” and “still available” while Greg Gard prays to the basketball gods that one of these portal players actually remembers how to play defense.
Hawkeyes Scoop Top Edge Recruit from Badgers
Wisconsin’s recruiting skid extended as Illinois high-priority Tommy Riordan committed to Iowa. The four-star edge defender spurned the Badgers despite a junior day visit and upcoming official visit to Madison. On3/Rivals ranks him a top-13 Illinois prospect, 247Sports the No. 28. With just one edge addition (Yahya Gaad) in 2026 and five senior departures looming after 2026, UW faces depth concerns at outside linebacker. Coach Matt Mitchell has wiggle room thanks to in-state commit Isaac Miller, but must now chase other targets—like Cedar Hill, Texas, prospect Jeron Allen II—amid conference rivalries heating up.
Nothing says “warming up” quite like losing your top recruit to the neighbor who still blares victory horns every time they beat you. It’s the recruiting equivalent of a garden hose fight where your rival squirts you in the face with a “Commitment” sticker. Meanwhile, Wisconsin convinces itself that ending its skid is as simple as securing whichever recruit didn’t have his pickles stolen this time. Maybe next cycle they’ll throw perfect curveballs at prospects—literally. For now, Mitchell will hustle through highlight reels at 3 a.m., praying another four-star defender doesn’t get distracted by Hawkeye-themed pajamas.
NFL Scouts Rip Into Badgers’ Draft Hopes
As the 2026 NFL Draft looms, scouts project only two legitimate Badger prospects: edge rusher Mason Reiger and wide receiver Vinny Anthony. Reiger dazzled with 45 pressures but lacks anchor strength, while Anthony stretches defenses deep but struggles in route nuance and contested catches. Lance Zierlein praises Reiger’s twitch and motor, warns of his neutralization by stronger linemen. Anthony’s speed intrigues, though inconsistent production and limited route tree raise red flags. Both players may land practice-squad roles rather than early draft calls, risking Wisconsin’s streak of multiple draftees since 2007.
Turns out the NFL’s version of “Madison Cocktail” is a sprinkle of hype, a dash of potential, and a gallon of “Needs More Bulk.” Scouts are treating Badger prospects like IKEA furniture: looks sleek, but read the fine print before you assemble. Reiger’s paper-thin frame seems destined for a workout program straight out of a superhero origin story—cue montage of pushups and protein shakes. Anthony’s 4.4-second 40-yard dash is enviable unless you need him on third-and-short. So Wisconsin fans can watch the draft or switch to reruns of “Yeomen of the Guard,” because both prospects might be singing on practice fields instead.
Badger Forward Bieliauskas Heads for New Pastures
Freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas is entering the transfer portal after one season at Wisconsin. The Lithuanian averaged 4.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists across 35 games, shooting 35% from three. His highlights included a 17-point upset vs. Michigan in Ann Arbor and key minutes during Nolan Winter’s injury absence. Bieliauskas follows Jack Robison, Riccardo Greppi, and John Blackwell out the door, leaving UW with just six potential returnees and three incoming freshmen for 2026-27. Greg Gard’s staff will scramble for frontcourt depth in the transfer frenzy.
The Badgers’ roster now resembles a boarding house during Spring Break, minus the beach balls and neon swim trunks. Bieliauskas’ departure proves that one hot week of shooting might not buy your loyalty—especially if you’re not named “Frank Kaminsky.” Wisconsin coaches will soon master the art of the 11th-hour pitch, complete with PowerPoint slides on local cheese varieties and free parking passes. Stay tuned as campus becomes the portal equivalent of Black Friday: everybody trampling each other for half-off rebounds and a chance at the big time.
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