The Camp: Luke Fickell updates OC search, latest transfer portal moves, 2025 class superlatives
It was a busy Wednesday for the Badgers. Zach and Jesse talk about Luke Fickell's updates on the OC search, what he's looking for on offense and some potential changes on defense. Then they discuss the latest transfer portal news, including the loss of show favorite Trech Kekahuna. They close with some NSD superlatives for Wisconsin's 2025 class.
https://youtu.be/mJNY6RPMCME
Packers will be without Romeo Doubs and Jaire Alexander vs Detroit
Green Bay won't be getting the services of Romeo Doubs or Jaire Alexander back for its showdown with Detroit on Thursday night.
The Packers released their final injury report Wednesday afternoon and Doubs and Alexander are both listed as out. Doubs misses his second straight game with a concussion, while Alexander will miss his fourth game in the last five with a knee injury. Both practiced on a limited basis all week but were obviously not cleared medically.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) and cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) will also miss the game with injuries.
The Lions are also pretty beat up, listing four guys as out. That includes starting tackle Taylor Decker and three defensive linemen -- DJ Reader, Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike.
Kick on Thursday night is slated for 7:15 p.m. at Ford Field.
The Swing: Badgers lose for the first time, Overreaction, er No?, Marquette awaits
Wisconsin lost for the first time on Tuesday night to Michigan. Zach and Jesse discuss the game and a big picture look at where the Badgers stand nine games into the season. Then they play a little Overreaction, er No?, take some listener questions and finish with a look ahead to the Marquette game.
https://youtu.be/3LwjHF42Ea4
Badgers suffer first loss of the season, 67-64 to Michigan
Wisconsin's eight-game winning streak to start the season is over following a 67-64 loss to Michigan on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center.
The Wolverines, fresh off an upset of then-No. 22 Xavier, bludgeoned the 11th-ranked Badgers inside, scoring more than half their points in the paint. A lot of it came from Vladislav Goldin, who finished with a game-high 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting. He had a personal 6-0 run over the final 2:37 to drop the Badgers to 8-1 on the year.
Wisconsin did have chances to tie it in the final minute but neither of Max Klesmit's 3-point attempts found the bottom of the net. The senior went just 3-for-14 from the field, including 1-for-9 from beyond the arc. A career 36.8% shooter from deep, Klesmit is shooting just 25% for the year.
The Badgers were carried offensively by John Tonje and John Blackwell. The duo combined for 34 points on 11-for-24 shooting, while the rest of the team went 11-for-40 from the field. That included a 6-for-27 performance on 3-pointers, the worst shooting effort for Wisconsin this season.
It was also a night to forget for senior big man Steven Crowl. He scored just two points and fouled out with 3:07 left in the game. His absence forced Nolan Winter to battle Goldin and fellow 7-footer Danny Wolf down the stretch, a circumstance that Michigan took advantage of. Winter did have eight points and five rebounds.
Wisconsin will now look to regroup as a visit to No. 5 Marquette looms on Saturday.
Wisconsin loses in-state kicker to Notre Dame, adds CB recruit from North Carolina
Wisconsin lost one player in its 2025 recruiting class early Monday and then added one later in the day.
Punter/kicker Eric Schmidt announced his flip to Notre Dame just two days before players are free to sign agreements with schools. Schmidt, ranked as the top punter in the 2025 class and the No. 26 kicker, is from Milwaukee and played at Marquette High School. He was slated to be a walk-on initially but had been guaranteed a scholarship by Wisconsin.
Schmidt was the lone kicker in the Badgers class and may have competed for the starting job next fall after an uneven season for Nathanial Vakos. The junior was just 12-for-19 this season after going 15-for-19 with Wisconsin in his first season. While he hit all three of his field goals from 50 yards or better, he went just 6-for-13 from 30 to 49 yards.
Meanwhile, in the wake of cornerbacks Amare Snowden and Jonas Duclona heading to the transfer portal, the Badgers landed a commitment from defensive back recruit Cairo Skanes. He had been committed to Miami (Ohio) but had drawn recent interest from several Power 4 schools, including offers from Michigan State, NC State and Duke.
Skanes is listed on his X account at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. From North Carolina, Skanes visited Madison for the game against No. 1 Oregon in mid-November. He is one of five defensive backs in the 2025 class.
Wisconsin rises 4 spots in latest AP Top 25
Wisconsin is once again moving up in the national rankings.
The unbeaten Badgers jumped four spots to No. 11 in the latest AP Top 25 poll released Monday. It matches their highest ranking since Jan. 29, 2024 when they were at No. 6 in the country. It's the third time in the last four years Wisconsin has started a season unranked only to be ranked inside the top-11 at some point in the year.
The Badgers had just one game last week, a 21-point win over winless Chicago State on Saturday. The competition picks up starting on Tuesday as Big Ten play opens with a visit from 6-1 Michigan. The Wolverines rolled through a ranked Xavier squad last week and their lone loss came by two points at Wake Forest.
Wisconsin was among four Big Ten teams to be ranked this week. Purdue is the highest at No. 9, while Oregon was just behind the Badgers at No. 12. Illinois was the other conference team ranked coming in at No. 19. Six other Big Ten teams, including Michigan, were among those receiving votes in the poll.
Again, it will be Wisconsin and Michigan on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center. Tip is set for 8 p.m.
The Camp: Transfer portal heats up, in-state coaches talk Wisconsin's recruiting, early signing period
The offseason has officially begun for the Badgers. Zach and Jesse discuss the players that have entered the transfer portal and also areas of need. Then they get into Jesse's story on how high school coaches in the state view Wisconsin's recruiting efforts and they close by looking ahead to the early signing period.
https://youtu.be/KOiZggrQ4Eg
Wisconsin Transfer Portal Tracker 2024-25
Wisconsin’s season came to an end Friday with an underwhelming effort in a loss to Minnesota. With no bowl practice or game to prepare for, the focus will shift quickly to building a better team in Year 3 for Luke Fickell and the Badgers. That will mean additions from the portal, while others will leave Madison looking for a fresh start. We will keep track of the comings and goings here over the next month or so.
** The transfer portal does not officially open until Dec. 9 and will stay open until Dec. 28. Players that take part in bowl or playoff games will have an additional five days after their final game to enter the portal even after Dec. 28. Those in the portal do not need to pick a new school before the portal closes.
Joining the program
N/A
Leaving the program
DL Hank Weber (4 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2024 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/hankweber8/status/1864688588446642454
DL James Thompson Jr (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: Missed all but one game with torn pec
Career stats: 59 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5 sacks
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/james_jr56/status/1864708073517875493
RB/WR Nate White (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/Evan_Flood/status/1864405778469093489
WR Trech Kekahuna (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 25 catches, 339 yards, 2 TDs
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst/Fickell
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1864358612870512823
S Braedyn Moore (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 2 tackles
As a recruit: 4-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/mzenitz/status/1864121248629809557
CB Jace Arnold (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 1 tackle
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/Jacearn21/status/1864021229239226559
DT Curt Neal (2 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 29 tackles, 3 TFLs, .5 sacks
As a recruit: 3-star in 2022 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/CurtisNeal97/status/1863959422914965943
DB Justin Taylor (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA
CB Jonas Duclona (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 2 tackles
As a recruit: 3-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/DuclonaJonas/status/1863747929665646942
CB Amare Snowden (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: 1 tackle
As a recruit: 4-star in 2023 class (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Fickell
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/amare_snowden/status/1863344176626020857
LB Leon Lowery (1 year of eligibility)
2024 stats: 29 tackles, 1 sack
New school:TBA
Staff recruited by: Fickell
https://twitter.com/leonlowery5/status/1863287516742209667
QB Cole LaCrue (3 years of eligibility)
2024 stats: Did not play
As a recruit: 3-star (247Sports Composite)
Staff recruited by: Chryst
New school: TBA
https://twitter.com/PeteNakos_/status/1859405976224305397
Heading to the NFL
N/A
No. 15 Wisconsin stays unbeaten with 74-53 win vs Chicago State
No. 15 Wisconsin used a big run to open the second half to pull away from Chicago State for a 74-53 win on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
The Cougars, who dropped to 0-9 on the year, were within five points just after halftime before the Badgers went on a 17-3 run to take control of the game. They would eventually build their lead to 24 as they improved to 8-0, matching their fourth-best start in the last 95 years.
John Tonje scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the first half, and has now scored 20-plus points for a fourth time this year. He also got to the line 10 times and hit nine of them while adding five rebounds and three assists.
Nolan Winter scored in double figures (12 points) for a third straight game and finished with six rebounds.
Fellow big man Steven Crowl scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds and had five assists.
The Badgers held the Cougars to just 33.9% shooting and scored 19 points off of Chicago State’s 11 turnovers.
Wisconsin will now get ready to open the Big Ten season on Tuesday against Michigan (6-1)
The Camp: What now for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin, listener questions
The Badgers are going to finish the season under .500 for the first time in 23 years. Zach and Jesse touch on the Minnesota debacle but tackle much bigger picture topics as Luke Fickell enters a pivotal offseason. They also dive into a bunch of listener questions.
https://youtu.be/OP7hVY2icwE
