Latest news with #NickBoyd
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin basketball predicted to beat North Carolina for top transfer guard
Wisconsin received a 247Sports transfer crystal ball to land former San Diego State guard Nick Boyd on Tuesday. National basketball analyst Travis Branham delivered the prediction with a high confidence level. Advertisement Wisconsin appears set to beat North Carolina for Boyd's commitment. The veteran guard visited Madison last week and Chapel Hill on Saturday. Despite the Tar Heels getting the final pitch, the Badgers appear on the verge of a significant recruiting win. 247Sports lists Boyd as a four-star transfer prospect, the No. 50 overall player and No. 12 shooting guard in the portal. The Ramsey, New Jersey, native entered the portal last week after one season at San Diego State. He started 31 games for the Aztecs in 2024-25, averaging 29.9 minutes, 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and one steal per game while shooting 41% from the floor and 35% from 3. The team's season ended with a First Four loss to North Carolina. Boyd began his career at Florida Atlantic. He made an immediate impact with the program, averaging 15 minutes and 5.1 points per game as a true freshman in 2020-21. After redshirting in 2021-22, the 6-foot, 3-inch guard's averages jumped to 23.7 minutes, 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 2022-23. He played a key role in the Owls' out-of-nowhere trip to the Final Four that season. Finally, he delivered similar numbers as a junior in 2023-24, averaging 23.8 minutes and 9.3 points. Advertisement 2024-25 was a breakthrough for Boyd. He led a San Diego State team that finished 21-10 overall and No. 53 in KenPom. It received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Boyd would be a write-in to the Badgers' starting lineup. He would project to replace Max Klesmit as one of the team's combo point/shooting guards. With more additions to be made, including an impact forward, a backcourt of Boyd and John Blackwell would be a strong starting point for Greg Gard and his staff. Bookmark our transfer interest tracker for more on Boyd's recruitment and the Badgers' other top targets. 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 transfer portal Nick Boyd crystal ball prediction
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball included in USA TODAY's way-too-early top 25 for 2025-26 season
Wisconsin basketball included in USA TODAY's way-too-early top 25 for 2025-26 season Wisconsin basketball appears set for an extended run of success over the next several seasons. The team has consistently improved after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2022-23. That began with a 22-14 2023-24 campaign, then accelerated forward with an impressive 27-10 2024-25 season. Coach Greg Gard is largely to thank for that improvement and positive trajectory. His reshaping of the program's offensive scheme and play style led directly to the breakout of star wing John Tonje, which both aided the team's 27-win season and made the program an attractive destination for top transfer talents. Wisconsin has already capitalized on that momentum in the portal this offseason by landing four-star prospects Andrew Rohde, Austin Rapp and Nick Boyd. The three are set to lead the team's lineup, complementing returning starters Nolan Winter and John Blackwell (assuming he withdraws from the NBA draft). While Wisconsin still has more transfer movement to follow, specifically in key depth roles, the team appears primed for a further step forward in 2025-26. Early rankings are cautiously optimistic in that regard. For example, the team landed at No. 19 in USA TODAY's way-too-early top-25 for the upcoming season. Here is the thought process behind Wisconsin's position: With three projected starters coming via the portal, the Badgers are waiting for rising junior guard John Blackwell to decide whether he'll come back next season or keep his name in the draft. If he does return, Blackwell and former Florida Atlantic and San Diego State guard Nick Boyd will form one of the top backcourts in the Big Ten. The Badgers also brought in a deep threat in wing Andrew Rohde (Virginia) and a very promising young big man in sophomore Andrew Rapp (Portland), the reigning West Coast rookie of the year. The Badgers are the No. 5 Big Ten team in the early ranking, trailing No. 4 UCLA, No. 9 Michigan, No. 11 Purdue and No. 15 Michigan State. As mentioned, the team is set to have one of the best backcourts in the conference with Blackwell and Boyd. Rohde, Rapp and Winter are all fantastic complimentary players, with each shooting at least 35% from 3-point range. The team's major question comes with the bench unit. Jack Janicki is the one returning bench contributor after Xavier Amos' recent departure. The team needs to add several prominent rotational players, specifically in the frontcourt. A No. 19 preseason ranking is a bit measured, given where Wisconsin finished the 2024-25 season and what it has returning to its starting lineup. However, the program tends to excel with lowered preseason expectations. None should be surprised if the team contends for the Big Ten next season and breaks the program's eight-year Sweet 16 drought. 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
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin updated 2025-26 lineup, transfer portal needs after Xavier Amos' departure
The Wisconsin basketball roster has seen a flurry of movement over the last seven days. After the departures of reserve guards Daniel Freitag and Camren Hunter, the Badgers landed commitments from highly touted transfers Andrew Rohde, Austin Rapp and Nick Boyd. Those three additions, at wing, forward and guard, respectively, bolster a 2025-26 starting lineup that currently projects as one of the better in the Big Ten. The group includes a rising star guard in John Blackwell, assuming he withdraws from the NBA draft, an NBA hopeful in forward Nolan Winter, a sharpshooting wing in Rohde, the 2025 West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year in Rapp and a veteran guard with Final Four experience in Boyd. Advertisement That starting unit represents what has been an impressive transfer cycle to date for Greg Gard and his coaching staff, plus has the team's outlook steadily improving in way-too-early 2025-26 projections. However, one major question still exists. The departure of veteran forward Xavier Amos greatly depleted Wisconsin's depth, especially at forward. The team now returns just one bench contributor from 2024-25: sophomore guard Jack Janicki. Gard now needs to find further transfer additions to fill out the lineup, or else he'll be forced to rely on a group of incoming freshmen and other inexperienced underclassmen. For more on what Amos' departure means for Wisconsin's 2025-26 outlook, here is a fresh look at the team's starting lineup and rotation, plus a ranking of its remaining transfer needs. Wisconsin Updated 2025-26 Starting Lineup Projection Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Nick Boyd (2) shoots the ball in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Guard: John Blackwell (Junior)* Guard: Nick Boyd (Senior -- San Diego State transfer) Wing: Andrew Rohde (Senior -- Virginia transfer) Forward: Austin Rapp (Sophomore -- Portland transfer) Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior) Advertisement Wisconsin's starting five could go up against any in the conference. Blackwell and Winter will be popular preseason all-conference selections. Boyd could join that group when the season tips off, especially if he's able to replicate his strong production at San Diego State last season. The major wild cards are Rapp, who is looking to transfer his production from the WCC to the Big Ten, and Rohde, who struggled mightily in his first year at Virginia before a strong 2024-25 campaign. If all three transfers hit, Wisconsin will be good enough to win the conference next season. *(Note: Blackwell declared for the NBA draft on April 3 while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. He remains in the projected lineup, barring an unforeseen rise up draft boards) Wisconsin's Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves Mar 16, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers bench players cheer during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore) Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore) Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore) Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman) Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman) Center Will Garlock (Freshman) Advertisement As mentioned, Wisconsin has major needs on its bench. The team has limited frontcourt depth after Amos' departure. Greppi played sparingly as a freshman last season and Garlock is joining as a true freshman. Wisconsin likely won't rely on either to play significant minutes, which means it needs to land multiple transfers at the position. Janicki leads a reserve guard rotation that could also still use a boost. While Kinziger and Jones are promising, each is joining as a true freshman. Wisconsin's bench unit generated several critical victories during the 2024-25 campaign. As of today, this unit is far from where it needs to be to replicate that impact. Wisconsin Remaining Transfer Portal Needs INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 16: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) Frontcourt depth (multiple players) Scoring wing Backup guard Advertisement A best-case Wisconsin offseason includes two more transfer forwards, a scoring wing and more guard depth. The first need ranks dramatically above the other two, as Wisconsin can get by without further backcourt depth but would struggle mightily without multiple frontcourt additions. The team currently has just two dependable forwards in Winter and Rapp, the latter who is even a bit of a question. It would be best served to land an experienced veteran plus a lower-level underclassman looking to make a jump. A sentence that would have been hard to believe just two short years ago: Wisconsin needs those additions to become this year's Carter Gilmore. Needs No. 2 and No. 3 are only necessary if the Badgers set out to replicate their terrific 2024-25 depth. An experienced scoring wing would push Rohde to the bench group and significantly lengthen the rotation. Another backup point guard, veteran or not, would further accomplish that task. Frontcourt depth needs to be the main priority for the Badgers. Otherwise, their top-tier starting lineup could be disadvantaged against the conference's deeper units. Advertisement 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 lineup, transfer portal needs without Xavier Amos
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball updated starting lineup, rotation after Nick Boyd's commitment
Wisconsin basketball updated starting lineup, rotation after Nick Boyd's commitment Wisconsin basketball's projected 2025-26 starting lineup and rotation look night-and-day different after the last five days of transfer movement. The program has landed three four-star transfers during that time: Virginia guard Andrew Rohde, Portland forward Austin Rapp and San Diego State guard Nick Boyd. Rohde, a rising senior, joins after two years at Virginia. He shot a terrific 41% from 3 last season, which should help him have little trouble finding a consistent role in the Badgers' lineup. While the 6-foot-6 wing currently slots into the team's starting unit, he could move down to sixth man if it lands a top transfer wing. Rapp, next, broke out as a true freshman in 2024-25. His per-game averages of 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks led to a West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year award. The 6-foot-10 forward notably led the WCC in 3-point attempts, makes and percentage, further indicating Wisconsin's clear pursuit of versatile players and shooting ability. Rapp will fill Steven Crowl's role in the starting unit. He joins the program with three years of eligibility remaining, projecting as a lineup mainstay through that time. Finally, Wisconsin edged North Carolina for Nick Boyd's commitment on Sunday night. The veteran guard helped lead FAU to the Final Four in 2022-23, then was the best player on a 2024-25 San Diego State team that received an at-large tournament bid. Boyd can shoot, handle the ball and distribute. He and John Blackwell should form one of the Big Ten's better backcourt duos. For more on how those additions fit in the lineup, here is an updated look at Wisconsin's projected rotation after the flurry of transfer commitments: Wisconsin Updated 2025-26 Lineup Projection With Transfer Guard Nick Boyd Guard: John Blackwell (Junior)* (Junior)* Guard: Nick Boyd (Senior -- San Diego State transfer) (Senior -- San Diego State transfer) Wing: Andrew Rohde (Senior -- Virginia transfer) (Senior -- Virginia transfer) Forward: Austin Rapp (Sophomore -- Portland transfer) (Sophomore -- Portland transfer) Forward: Nolan Winter (Junior) On paper, this could be one of the better lineups in the Big Ten next season. All but one player shot above 35% from long range in 2024-25 -- Blackwell at 32%. Wisconsin's success this past season was due to a versatile lineup that could stretch the floor and score from point guard to center. This projected lineup presents the same challenge to defend. Blackwell should carry the scoring load, Boyd profiles as a key supporting scorer, Rohde and Rapp are knock-down shooting threats and Winter is emerging as one of the better big men in the conference. All five players can shoot, score and distribute the basketball. While the lineup will need to prove it on the court next winter, it could be just as dangerous as the program's terrific 2024-25 starting unit. One storyline to watch is whether Wisconsin adds another top transfer wing, a move that would send Rohde into a sixth-man role. Blackwell's NBA draft status is also worth watching. *(Note: Blackwell declared for the NBA draft on April 3 while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. He remains in the projected lineup, barring an unforeseen rise up draft boards) Wisconsin's Projected 2025-26 Bench/Reserves Guard Jack Janicki (Sophomore) (Sophomore) Forward Xavier Amos (Senior) (Senior) Guard Jack Robison (Sophomore) (Sophomore) Center Riccardo Greppi (Sophomore) (Sophomore) Guard Hayden Jones (Freshman) (Freshman) Guard Zach Kinziger (Freshman) (Freshman) Center Will Garlock (Freshman) Wisconsin's bench unit could define its 2025-26 season. Several of the team's results last season came down to Carter Gilmore, Kamari McGee, Janicki and Amos' bench contributions. Janicki and Amos project as the team's leading bench players in 2025-26. Big questions exist past that duo, with none of Robison, Greppi, Jones, Kinziger, or Garlock having significant collegiate experience. It's reasonable to expect one or two of those underclassmen to emerge. But at this stage of the offseason, it's hard to rely on any joining the rotation. Wisconsin should still add a transfer depth option or two for that reason. The team's starting lineup looks as strong as any, although the overall lineup is still on the thin side. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball 247Sports transfer portal class ranking with top guard Nick Boyd
Wisconsin basketball 247Sports transfer portal class ranking with top guard Nick Boyd Wisconsin basketball continued its red-hot transfer portal recruiting stretch on Sunday, adding a commitment from San Diego State guard Nick Boyd. Boyd is the Badgers' third four-star transfer commitment of the last week, following Virginia guard Andrew Rohde and Portland forward Austin Rapp. He joins with a final year of eligibility remaining. With senior backcourt starters Max Klesmit and John Tonje gone to graduation, Boyd's combination of experience and production should fill a key leading role in Wisconsin's leading unit. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 29.9 minutes, 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists at San Diego State in 2024-25. That included shooting numbers of 41% from the floor and 35% from 3. Before that standout campaign, Boyd helped lead FAU to a surprising Final Four run in 2022-23. He, Rohde and Rapp all shot at least 35% from long-range last season, signaling one of Wisconsin's clear transfer priorities. The team's updated projected starting unit of John Blackwell, Boyd, Rohde, Rapp and Nolan Winter can all handle the basketball and shoot from long range. While Klesmit, Tonje and Steven Crowl are challenging to replace, Greg Gard and his staff may have done exactly that. Wisconsin appears to be amid a best-case-scenario transfer cycle, still with more movement to come. For context on the team's three key commitments, here is where its transfer class ranks nationally, per 247Sports: Wisconsin basketball updated 2025 transfer portal class ranking with top-ranked G Nick Boyd Class Profile: Three commits (three four-stars), 91.33 average player rating, 25.61 total points 247Sports National Rank: No. 16 Big Ten Rank: No. 4 247Sports ranks Boyd as the No. 45 overall transfer and No. 11 shooting guard. It has Rapp at No. 171 overall and the No. 32 power forward, plus Rohde at No. 167 overall and the No. 49 shooting guard. As mentioned, all three are four-star transfer prospects. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
