The Wisconsin Badgers’ New Era: A Reckoning for Tradition as They Face Off Against the Campbell Fighting Camels in a Season Opener that Could Define Their Future and Challenge the Very Essence of College Basketball’s Competitive Landscape.
The college basketball season is officially upon us, and with it comes a fresh wave of excitement, anticipation, and controversy. On Monday night, the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers will host the Campbell Fighting Camels in their season opener at the Kohl Center, a matchup that could serve as a litmus test for the Badgers’ new identity. As tip-off approaches at 7:00 p.m., the stakes are high—not just for the game, but for the future of a program steeped in tradition and now navigating the turbulent waters of modern college basketball.
Wisconsin enters this season with a roster that reflects significant changes. After a mixed bag of results in two exhibition games, including a narrow loss to the Oklahoma Sooners and a more convincing win against the UW-Platteville Pioneers, the Badgers have shown flashes of potential but also highlighted the challenges of integrating new talent. The team is now led by three new starters—transfers Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde, and Austin Rapp—who join returning players John Blackwell and Nolan Winter. This new lineup is emblematic of a broader trend in college basketball, where transfer portals and roster overhauls are becoming the norm rather than the exception.
Nick Boyd, a transfer from San Diego State, is expected to bring a much-needed speed element to the Badgers’ playstyle. His experience and familiarity with ball-screen actions are crucial, as Wisconsin has historically relied on these tactics to generate offense. Boyd’s ability to push the pace could redefine how the Badgers approach their games this season, potentially moving away from the slower, more methodical style that has characterized the program in the past.
Andrew Rohde, another key addition, is a versatile wing who offers shooting prowess and playmaking ability. His statistics from his previous season at Virginia, where he shot 41 percent from three-point range and averaged 4.1 assists per game, suggest he could be a significant contributor on both ends of the floor. Rohde’s size and skill set will be vital as he takes on the role of a secondary ball-handler, allowing Blackwell to focus on scoring and facilitating.
Austin Rapp, the stretch big man from Portland, adds another layer of complexity to Wisconsin’s offensive scheme. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc (over 35 percent last season) and pass effectively positions him as a modern big man who can stretch defenses and create mismatches. The combination of Rapp’s inside-outside versatility and the speed that Boyd brings could signal a shift in Wisconsin’s approach, challenging the conventional wisdom of how the Badgers have played historically.
Returning players like John Blackwell are also set to play pivotal roles. Blackwell, who had a breakout sophomore season, is looking to take another step forward as the team’s leader. His development and ability to adapt to the new roster dynamics will be critical in establishing a cohesive unit. Alongside him, Nolan Winter, who has garnered attention on NBA Draft boards, adds size and skill to the frontcourt, further enhancing the team’s prospects.
The influx of talent is not limited to transfers; Wisconsin’s freshmen class is one of the strongest seen under head coach Greg Gard. With a mix of international recruits and local talent, the freshmen are already making their mark, with three of the four in the rotation. This blend of youth and experience could be the key to Wisconsin’s success, but it also raises questions about how quickly the team can gel and adapt to the demands of a rigorous college basketball season.
On the opposing side, the Campbell Fighting Camels come into this matchup with their own set of challenges. Under the new leadership of head coach John Andrzejek, formerly an assistant at Florida, Campbell has undergone a significant roster overhaul. With only one of their top six scorers returning, the Fighting Camels are in a state of transition, which could either work to their advantage or leave them vulnerable against a more established Wisconsin team.
The Badgers are currently favored by 20.5 points, reflecting the expectations surrounding their new roster. The over/under is set at 150.5 points, suggesting that oddsmakers anticipate a high-scoring affair. However, the true test will be whether Wisconsin can translate their potential into performance on the court. The pressure is on Gard and his staff to not only win games but to instill a sense of identity and cohesion within this new-look team.
As the season unfolds, the implications of this game extend beyond just a single matchup. Wisconsin’s ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of college basketball, characterized by increasing reliance on transfers and rapid roster changes, will be scrutinized. The Badgers are at a crossroads, facing the challenge of maintaining their storied tradition while embracing the realities of a new era in the sport.
This season opener against Campbell is more than just a game; it is a statement of intent for Wisconsin. The outcome could set the tone for the rest of the season, influencing not only their trajectory but also the broader narrative surrounding college basketball’s shifting dynamics. As the Badgers take the court, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, eager to see if this new chapter in Wisconsin basketball can live up to the legacy of its predecessors.
The college basketball season is officially upon us, as the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers are hosting the Campbell Fighting Camels in their season opener on Monday night. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers had two exhibition games ahead of the regular season. They kicked things off with a tight battle against the Oklahoma Sooners in Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum, losing 84-83. Then, they got in the win column with a 69-53 victory over the UW-Platteville Pioneers last Wednesday.
In both wins, Wisconsin showed glimpses of the team it could be this season, but also that there was a lot of work to do for its new-look team.
The Badgers have three new starters this season, as transfers Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde, and Austin Rapp will join returners John Blackwell and Nolan Winter in the starting five. Then, they added transfer Braeden Carrington to pair with Jack Janicki as the team’s backup wings. Freshmen Hayden Jones, Aleksas Bieliauskas, and Will Garlock round out the group that we saw during the two exhibition games.
Boyd, a transfer from San Diego State, was brought in to play point guard, adding a unique speed element that will help the team play faster this season. He also brings experience on the court and familiarity with ball-screen actions, which is Wisconsin’s bread and butter offensively.
Rohde is a skilled wing who can shoot (41 percent from three at Virginia in 2024-25), pass (4.1 assists per game last season), and provide size on the perimeter as a secondary ball-handler.
Rapp is a stretch big man who shot over 35 percent from deep at Portland last season. He’s growing as a player, showing some inside-outside versatility offensively, while being an underrated passer as a big.
Blackwell is back to run the show at Wisconsin, looking to take another step forward after breaking out as a sophomore. He’s joined by Nolan Winter, who has been on NBA Draft big boards as a skilled big who added size to play the five this season.
Wisconsin’s freshmen class is one of the strongest ones they’ve had under head coach Greg Gard, featuring a pair of international recruits, as well as a pair of in-state commits. Three of the four freshmen in the 2025 class are already in the rotation, adding to the newcomers on the team.
Wisconsin faces a Campbell team that has a new head coach (former Florida assistant John Andrzejek) and a brand new roster that has only one of its top six scorers back this season.
They’re currently seen as 20.5-point favorites entering the night, with the over/under at 150.5 points.
Join us as our first game thread of the season is officially open!