How Wisconsin’s 2026-27 roster looks as John Blackwell enters transfer portal

Q: Why will Wisconsin’s 2026-27 roster look so different?

Wisconsin is set to lose a major portion of its rotation because several key players are leaving. Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington and Andrew Rohde were already in their final seasons of eligibility, and John Blackwell now plans to enter the transfer portal. The Badgers are also losing reserve players Jack Robison and Riccardo Greppi.

Q: How many of Wisconsin’s top scorers could be gone next season?

At least four of Wisconsin’s top six scorers are expected to be gone. That group includes Boyd, Carrington, Rohde and Blackwell if his portal move goes through. The article says the Badgers are losing roughly 65% of their scoring production from 2025-26.

Q: How much experience is Wisconsin losing from this roster?

Wisconsin is losing a significant amount of playing time and production. The article says the Badgers are set to lose about 54% of their minutes from the 2025-26 team. That reflects how much of the rotation is leaving or in flux.

Q: How many roster spots will newcomers fill for Wisconsin in 2026-27?

Newcomers will fill at least eight of Wisconsin’s 15 roster spots. That count includes the departures of key contributors, the two reserve players, and one already-open roster spot. The article notes that number could still change as the transfer portal opens.

Q: When does the transfer portal open for Wisconsin players?

The transfer portal window opens on April 7. The article uses that date to frame the early look at Wisconsin’s 2026-27 roster. More movement could happen after the portal opens.

The Wisconsin Badgers will be relying on a considerably different group of players in 2026-27.

The Badgers already were going to lose three of their top six scorers, as Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington and Andrew Rohde were in their final seasons of eligibility.

Now with John Blackwell planning to enter the transfer portal, UW will lose at least four of its top six scorers. The Badgers are losing at least roughly 65% of their scoring production and 54% of their minutes from 2025-26.

When also counting Wisconsin’s losses of reserve players Jack Robison and Riccardo Greppi along with its already-open roster spot, newcomers will make up at least eight of UW’s 15 roster spots in 2026-27.

But as the transfer portal window opens on April 7, here is a look at who is on Wisconsin’s 2026-27 roster (at least for now):

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: Wisconsin Badgers Spirit Squad perform before the game against the High Point Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers walks on court before the game against the High Point Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers band performs prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: High Point Panthers fans are seen before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers cheerleadrs perform prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the High Point Panthers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers fans in the stands prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: The Wisconsin Badgers warm up before taking on the High Point Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: The High Point Panthers Athletic Band perform before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: The Wisconsin Badgers Marching Band performs before the game against the High Point Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers fans cheer prior to a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

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Wisconsin vs High Point in March Madness 2026, first round highlights

Nolan Winter

Nolan Winter, who will be a senior in 2026-27, was second in the Big Ten in 2025-26 with 12 double-doubles. He became the third UW player to record 10-plus double-doubles in a season since 2000, joining Ethan Happ and Frank Kaminsky.

He becomes the biggest name to watch from a portal retention standpoint after Blackwell’s departure. He told the Journal Sentinel after the High Point loss he is “trying to soak this all in” when asked about his future, but “obviously I want to be back here.”

Austin Rapp

Austin Rapp indicated immediately after the High Point game that he “100%” plans to continue playing for the Badgers in 2026-27. It is a key retention given that he averaged 9.7 points and four rebounds per game while improving significantly throughout the season.

Rapp, who began his college basketball career at Portland, has two years of eligibility remaining.

More: What Wisconsin basketball players said about future plans after NCAA Tournament loss

Jack Janicki

Jack Janicki will look to improve his game as a Badger in 2026-27 after a 2025-26 season that was cut short due to a wrist injury that required surgery. He earned high praise for his defensive contributions, but his offensive contributions were limited behind Boyd, Blackwell, Carrington and Rohde.

Janicki will be a redshirt junior in 2026-27.

Wisconsin forward Aleksas Bieliauskas started in 28 games and averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Aleksas Bieliauskas

Aleksas Bieliauskas has three years of eligibility remaining after quickly adapting to the Big Ten level as a freshman. Bieliauskas started in 28 games and averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He delivered a scoring threat at critical moments, including in both games against Michigan.

Hayden Jones

Hayden Jones, a 6-foot-6 guard from New Zealand, appeared in 27 games and made one start as a freshman. He averaged 1.7 points per game and 7.2 minutes per game in a crowded backcourt.

Will Garlock

Will Garlock, a Middleton native, averaged 1.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.8 minutes per game. Staying out of foul trouble will be a key area for the freshman 7-footer’s future growth after averaging 8.3 fouls called per 40 minutes, per KenPom.

Zach Kinziger

Zach Kinziger initially considered redshirting as a freshman in 2025-26 before making his college basketball debut in UW’s penultimate nonconference game. He finished the season with 21 points and nine assists in 16 games.

Wisconsin guard Zach Kinziger (4) guards Central Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks (10) during a game last December. Kinziger is one of six returning guards on Wisconsin's roster. The NCAA transfer portal opens April 7.

LaTrevion Fenderson

LaTrevion Fenderson, a 6-foot-4 guard from Racine, signed with the Badgers and will be a freshman in 2026-27. Rivals rated him as the top in-state prospect in his class, and 247 Sports rated him No. 2 in the state behind future Iowa State player Yusef Gray Jr.

Jackson Ball

Jackson Ball, a 6-foot-4 guard from New Zealand, will join the Badgers as an incoming freshman in 2026-27. He played with Jones on New Zealand’s U19 team at the FIBA World Cup and earned professional experience with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League.

Owen Foxwell

Owen Foxwell, the most recent addition to the Badgers’ 2026 recruiting class, will arrive in Madison with extensive experience. The 22-year-old point guard has played with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL for the last five seasons and averaged double-digit point totals in 2025-26.

Wisconsin Badgers 2026-27 positional breakdown

Guards (6): Jack Janicki, Hayden Jones, Zach Kinziger, LaTrevion Fenderson, Jackson Ball, Owen Foxwell
Forwards (4): Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp, Aleksas Bieliauskas, Will Garlock
Open roster spots: 5

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin basketball's 2026-27 roster after John Blackwell's departure