Latest news with #BigTen-best
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin women's basketball standout Serah Williams commits to national champion UConn
MADISON – When Wisconsin women's basketball player Serah Williams entered the transfer portal last month, it was assumed that interest would be high for the two-time All-Big Ten performer. On April 30, we found out how high. Advertisement The 6-foot-4 forward announced on X and Instagram her commitment to reigning national champion Connecticut. Williams posted the news with a graphic of her wearing a UConn letterman's jacket. At the bottom of the graphic was the state slogan: 'Welcome to Connecticut, Home of the Basketball Capital of the World.' Her caption was a Bible scripture: 'Genesis 28:15 Yes. I'll stay with you, I'll protect you wherever you go. Go Huskiess' Williams led Wisconsin in scoring and rebounding the past two seasons when she became one of five players in program history to earn first-team all-Big Ten recognition twice. Advertisement The Brooklyn, New York, native set a Big Ten record as a sophomore with double-doubles in scoring and rebounding in 17 straight games. She was also the media's pick for Big Ten defensive player of the year. She averaged 17.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and a Big Ten-best 2.8 blocks per game. This season, she averaged 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Her 1,494 points rank 11th in program history. More: UW women's basketball transfer portal tracker. The latest: Two 2025 recruits land at other programs This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Badgers basketball star Serah Williams transfers to UConn
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin star transfer forward commits to the reigning national champion
Wisconsin star transfer forward commits to the reigning national champion Wisconsin women's basketball star transfer forward Serah Williams committed to UConn on Wednesday. Williams entered the portal last month after three decorated years with the Badgers. The Brooklyn, New York, native burst onto the scene immediately as a true freshman in 2022-23, starting 30 games and averaging 24.8 minutes, 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and a Big Ten-best 1.9 blocks. She then took a significant step forward as a sophomore in 2023-24, averaging 17.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and a Big Ten-best 2.8 blocks per game over 30 appearances. Her play that season earned a First-Team All-Big Ten honor, as well as the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Finally, Williams excelled yet again as a junior in 2024-25, tallying 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. The forward entered the portal on March 12, just three days after head coach Marisa Moseley resigned. She now commits to a UConn program that is the undisputed best in women's college basketball, fresh off a 2025 national title. Since coach Geno Auriemma took over in 1985, the program has claimed 12 national championships, plus hasn't missed the NCAA Tournament since 1988. The now-former Badger will get a chance to contribute on college basketball's biggest stage as a senior in 2025-26. She will do so as Wisconsin undergoes a program rebuild under new coach Robin Pingeton. The Badgers are still in search of their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin basketball forward officially announces return for 2025-26 season
Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter officially announced his return to the Badgers for the 2025-26 season on Friday. The rising junior shared a simple message via X: "Back for more." Winter returns to lead the Wisconsin frontcourt after a breakout season in 2024-25. He started all 37 of the team's games, averaging 21.1 minutes, 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. He was one of the Badgers' most efficient scoring options from every level, shooting 56.4% from the field, a Big Ten-best 71.5% from inside the three-point line and 35.8% from outside. Advertisement The 6-foot-10 forward originally joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023, ranked as the No. 151 player in the country and the No. 2 recruit from the state of Minnesota. He played a limited role as a freshman in 2023-24, primarily backing up veteran center Steven Crowl. He saw 9.4 minutes of playing time per game that season, averaging just 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. Wisconsin loses a large senior class after the 2024-25 season, headlined by starters Max Klesmit, Crowl and John Tonje. Both Winter and star guard John Blackwell's respective returns are critical as Greg Gard reloads the team's rotation entering a pivotal 2025-26 campaign. While Winter was expected back after the season's conclusion, his announcement on Friday ensures that reality. Notably, the Badgers are in a position to retain both of their star players entering 2025-26, a different outcome from when Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr left via the transfer portal last offseason. Blackwell recently declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. If the current draft projections hold, he'll likely return to join Winter in leading the Badgers in 2025-26. He noted in his draft announcement that if he returns to college, it will be to Wisconsin. Advertisement The Badgers recently landed Virginia transfer guard Andrew Rohde, kicking off their offseason transfer activity. While the team still has major needs to address, a leading corps of Winter, Blackwell (likely) and Rohde is a strong starting point, with Xavier Amos and Jack Janicki as key complementary pieces. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball Nolan Winter announces return decision
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball forward officially announces return for 2025-26 season
Wisconsin basketball forward officially announces return for 2025-26 season Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter officially announced his return to the Badgers for the 2025-26 season on Friday. The rising junior shared a simple message via X: "Back for more." Winter returns to lead the Wisconsin frontcourt after a breakout season in 2024-25. He started all 37 of the team's games, averaging 21.1 minutes, 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest. He was one of the Badgers' most efficient scoring options from every level, shooting 56.4% from the field, a Big Ten-best 71.5% from inside the three-point line and 35.8% from outside. The 6-foot-10 forward originally joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023, ranked as the No. 151 player in the country and the No. 2 recruit from the state of Minnesota. He played a limited role as a freshman in 2023-24, primarily backing up veteran center Steven Crowl. He saw 9.4 minutes of playing time per game that season, averaging just 2.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. Wisconsin loses a large senior class after the 2024-25 season, headlined by starters Max Klesmit, Crowl and John Tonje. Both Winter and star guard John Blackwell's respective returns are critical as Greg Gard reloads the team's rotation entering a pivotal 2025-26 campaign. While Winter was expected back after the season's conclusion, his announcement on Friday ensures that reality. Notably, the Badgers are in a position to retain both of their star players entering 2025-26, a different outcome from when Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr left via the transfer portal last offseason. Blackwell recently declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. If the current draft projections hold, he'll likely return to join Winter in leading the Badgers in 2025-26. He noted in his draft announcement that if he returns to college, it will be to Wisconsin. The Badgers recently landed Virginia transfer guard Andrew Rohde, kicking off their offseason transfer activity. While the team still has major needs to address, a leading corps of Winter, Blackwell (likely) and Rohde is a strong starting point, with Xavier Amos and Jack Janicki as key complementary pieces. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
March Madness live updates, scores, bracket, highlights: Follow women's NCAA tournament Day 1 action
The first full day of action in the NCAA women's tournament is here, as Friday features wall-to-wall first-round games for 12-plus hours. That will include the tournament debut of No. 1 seed and defending champion South Carolina, as well as overall No. 1 UCLA. And as always, we'll be on the lookout for any and all upsets. Here's how Friday's schedule will unfold (all times Eastern, scroll for live updates): 11:30 a.m.: No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Iowa State (ESPN2) 12 p.m.: No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Liberty (ESPN) 1:30 p.m.: No. 8 Utah vs. No. 9 Indiana (ESPN2) 2 p.m.: No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin (ESPN) 2:30 p.m.: No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 12 Fairfield (ESPNEWS) 3:30 p.m.: No. 2 TCU vs. No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson (ESPN2) 3:30 p.m.: No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon (ESPNU) 4 p.m.: No. 1. South Carolina vs. No. 16 Tennessee Tech (ESPN) 5:30 p.m.: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 13 Montana State (ESPN2) 5:30 p.m.: No. 7 Vanderbilt vs. No. 10 Oregon (ESPNEWS) 6 p.m.: No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 12 Ball State (ESPNU) 6 p.m.: No. 7 Louisville vs. No. 10 Nebraska (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.: No. 8 Richmond vs. No. 9 Georgia Tech (ESPNEWS) 8 p.m.: No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Lehigh (ESPNU) 8 p.m.: No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 12 South Florida (ESPN) 10 p.m.: No. 1 UCLA vs. No. 16 Southern (ESPN) Follow along below for live reaction, highlights and more from Yahoo Sports: Here's everything you need to know about the Birmingham 3 region: No. 1: Texas (+600 to win the national title at BetMGM) No. 3: Notre Dame (+600) No. 2: TCU (+6,000) Both Texas and Notre Dame are the betting favorites out of the Birmingham 3 region. TCU, despite a very dominant run through the Big 12 and earning the No. 2 seed, is way back at +6,000. Texas F Madison Booker: Booker led the Longhorns with 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds this season while shooting nearly 46% from the field and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. The 6-foot-1 forward, who is even better than when she won Big 12 Player of the Year honors last season as a freshman, can shoot from range if she needs to as well. Iowa State C Audi Crooks: Crooks led the Big 12 in scoring this season with 23.2 points per game. Even when the Cyclones have struggled, she's been a consistent presence down low who teams just haven't really been able to stop. If the Cyclones make a run and get out of the First Four, Crooks will be the one to get them there. Here's a look at the Spokane 1 regional: No. 1: UCLA (+500 to win the national title at BetMGM) No. 2: NC State (+4000) No. 3: LSU (+4000) Though they earned the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, the Bruins aren't the betting favorite entering the tournament. Both South Carolina (+260) and UConn (+290) have shorter odds. UCLA C Lauren Betts: The 6-foot-7 center has been huge for UCLA all season. She's averaged 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while averaging a Big Ten-best 2.9 blocks per contest. Though the Bruins have more than just Betts at their disposal, everything runs through her. Harvard G Harmoni Turner: Turner erupted this season at Harvard, and she's a huge reason why the team is in the tournament in the first place. The senior put up 22.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals per game this season, all of which led the team. If she takes off, the Crimson can make a big run. Here's everything you need to know about the Birmingham 3 region: No. 1: Texas (+600 to win the national title at BetMGM) No. 3: Notre Dame (+600) No. 2: TCU (+6,000) Both Texas and Notre Dame are the betting favorites out of the Birmingham 3 region. TCU, despite a very dominant run through the Big 12 and earning the No. 2 seed, is way back at +6,000. Texas F Madison Booker: Booker led the Longhorns with 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds this season while shooting nearly 46% from the field and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. The 6-foot-1 forward, who is even better than when she won Big 12 Player of the Year honors last season as a freshman, can shoot from range if she needs to as well. Iowa State C Audi Crooks: Crooks led the Big 12 in scoring this season with 23.2 points per game. Even when the Cyclones have struggled, she's been a consistent presence down low who teams just haven't really been able to stop. If the Cyclones make a run and get out of the First Four, Crooks will be the one to get them there. Here's a look at the Spokane 1 regional: No. 1: UCLA (+500 to win the national title at BetMGM) No. 2: NC State (+4000) No. 3: LSU (+4000) Though they earned the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, the Bruins aren't the betting favorite entering the tournament. Both South Carolina (+260) and UConn (+290) have shorter odds. UCLA C Lauren Betts: The 6-foot-7 center has been huge for UCLA all season. She's averaged 19.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while averaging a Big Ten-best 2.9 blocks per contest. Though the Bruins have more than just Betts at their disposal, everything runs through her. Harvard G Harmoni Turner: Turner erupted this season at Harvard, and she's a huge reason why the team is in the tournament in the first place. The senior put up 22.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals per game this season, all of which led the team. If she takes off, the Crimson can make a big run.
