Change is coming to the Kohl Center. With four key departures from the roster, longtime head coach Greg Gard faces a significant rebuild as he looks ahead to the 2026-27 season for the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team.

The exodus includes graduates Andrew Rohde and Nick Boyd, while John Blackwell and Aleksas Bieliauskas have entered the transfer portal. This leaves forward Nolan Winter as the lone returning starter, placing a spotlight on the returning role players and incoming talent.

Sophomore Austin Rapp, who gained valuable experience with 12 starts last season, is poised for a major step up. The 6-foot-10 forward, who started 30 games at Portland before transferring, will be counted on to anchor the frontcourt alongside Winter.

Beyond that duo, proven starting experience is thin. Jack Janicki, with just one start in two seasons, is the only other returnee who averaged significant minutes (16.5 per game). The departure of key rotational piece Braeden Carrington further depletes the bench's experience.

While Gard will undoubtedly tap into the transfer portal and welcome a new recruiting class, the upcoming season presents a clear challenge. A learning curve is inevitable for a roster with so many new faces in prominent roles. However, if there's one constant in Madison, it's the program's resilience. Expect Gard and his staff to piece together a competitive lineup, ensuring the Badgers' trademark toughness remains on full court.