College Basketball World Reacts To The Wisconsin News
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 20: Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders enter the court with banners prior to the second round game of NCAA Basketball Tournament against the American University Eagles at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 20, 2014 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
All is not well within the Wisconsin basketball program. A new report from the Wisconsin State Journal features quotes from a lengthy closed-door meeting between members of the Badgers team and head coach Greg Gard, that painted a pretty clear picture of a divided locker room.
The Badgers roared out to an 8-1 record in 2020-21, but fell apart after reaching Top 10 in the polls, to finish 18-13. After a 15-point loss at home to rival Iowa, a group of Wisconsin seniors met with Gard, accusing him of failing to foster a relationship with his team. After the meeting, one of the seniors told the that he didn't think Gard "got it" after the meeting.
Because of COVID-19, those seven seniors had a chance to return to the Badgers for one more chance at a deep tournament run. Only guard Brad Davison is taking up that opportunity.
There are plenty sounding alarm bells around the Wisconsin basketball program. Others are criticizing the players for recording what was supposed to be a private media, and going to the press with it, including
Who the hell gave these guys the idea that they’re bigger than the program?
Never been angrier reading an article.
And recording a meeting is the softest thing I’ve ever seen. Grow up.
Coaches coach.
Gard isn’t the one on a 8 min scoring drought every game. Get outta here. https://t.co/3L1HhgqK2Y
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 22, 2021
">former UW star Sam Dekker. This is clearly going to be a touchy subject for the program this offseason.
There's certainly a debate to be had over whether leaking this audio was appropriate. Wherever you fall on that part of it, it is clear that Greg Gard has some major work to do to win back over his team and restore the strong culture of Wisconsin basketball.
Gard took over for long time Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan in 2015, after 15 seasons as an assistant at the school. He is 119-63 as a head coach, with a 4-3 NCAA Tournament record, and the 2020 Big Ten regular season title under his belt. He was the conference's coach of the year that season as well.
Wisconsin basketball reached back-to-back Sweet 16s his first two years as head coach, but has failed to get out of the Round of 32 since.
