The Wisconsin Badgers are facing a major roster overhaul this offseason, with four starters departing via graduation or the transfer portal. For head coach Greg Gard, the mission is clear: the transfer portal isn't just an option; it's a necessity to rebuild a contender. While young talent on the roster will get their shot, securing proven, immediate-impact players is the top priority.

Fortunately for the Badgers, the portal has seen a surge of talented players with Wisconsin roots. Two names, in particular, stand out as potential perfect fits for the program's needs in the 2026-27 campaign.

First is Northern Iowa forward Drew Hornseth. The 6-foot-8 sophomore is coming off a strong season where he started all 35 games, averaging 11.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. His potential connection to Madison is intriguing—he played high school basketball at De Pere alongside current Badger guard Zach Kinziger, a pairing that was once dominant. While reports indicate Hornseth entered the portal with a "do not contact" tag, suggesting a possible predetermined destination, his size, experience, and two remaining years of eligibility make him a compelling target for a frontcourt in need of reinforcement.

The second intriguing prospect is guard Ryan Janowski from St. Thomas. The Pewaukee native, who began his career at Nebraska, exploded onto the scene this past season, earning First Team All-Summit League honors. As a redshirt freshman, the 6-foot-4 guard started all 34 games, averaging 16.1 points and leading his team with 5.1 rebounds per contest. With three years of eligibility left and proven scoring ability, Janowski represents the kind of backcourt talent that could seamlessly transition back to the Big Ten and provide instant offense for the Badgers.

For a program known for its disciplined system and player development, adding seasoned in-state talent like Hornseth and Janowski could be the ideal strategy to quickly retool and remain competitive in a tough Big Ten landscape. The coming weeks will be critical as Coach Gard and his staff work the portal to shape the future of Wisconsin basketball.