3 Reasons Why Wisconsin Retaining Nolan Winter Was So Important

Having him back in the middle of Wisconsin’s offense and defense (he averaged over a block per game and was often responsible for his opponent’s most talented big) is wildly important. Replacing him in the portal would have been impossible.

Makes a Big Statement

Beyond the Xs and Os, Winter’s return speaks loudly and clearly about his belief in and love of the Wisconsin program. I can guarantee that Winter, while surely being well compensated, could have made more on the open market like Blackwell did.

But he chose to remain with the Badgers for a fourth season, an increasingly rare instance of loyalty in the portal era. This is a vitally important example of the fact that a player doesn’t have some implicit directive to always chase the bag.

While I can’t begrudge a guy like Blackwell for bolting for a life-changing raise, I can give kudos to someone who takes a different path borne of loyalty.

Said Winter, “Badger Nation I’m Back. At the end of the day, I couldn’t picture myself anywhere other than with the Wisconsin Badgers.”

Same for us, Nolan. Same for us.

Gives Me Even More Confidence in Gard

A lot has been made about the difficult situation Wisconsin’s less-than-sterling basketball NIL coffers has put Greg Gard in. And if you believe the whispers, his deep frustration with it wasn’t kept to himself internally. But it’s hard to argue that Gard hasn’t, yet again, deftly navigated the razor’s edge and left himself with what should again be a highly competitive squad.

Adding Nolan Foxwell, Trey Autry, Victory Onuetu, and Eian Elmer has been a masterclass as far as a coach maximizing his budget to keep things humming. Bringing back Winter was an impressive capper (or close, as there could be another portal add), and has me believing that the Badgers will be a really solid team next year even without Blackwell.

Will this mean March success? That’s a fair question, but it is one, fortunately, that doesn’t have to be answered anytime soon.