Latest news with #XavierAmos
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball transfer forward commits to his next school
Wisconsin basketball transfer forward commits to his next school Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos shocked many when he entered the transfer portal just one week ago. The now-former Badger spent little time uncommitted, as he signed with Loyola Chicago on Sunday. Amos transferred to Wisconsin from Northern Illinois before the 2024-25 season. He was expected to be a key contributor from the jump, behind standout starting forwards Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter. While that was not how it played out for much of the season, Amos still found a way to make a difference down the stretch. The veteran forward helped the Badgers to an NCAA Tournament first-round win over Montana, during which he tallied 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Overall, Amos averaged 3.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.4 assists on 37.4% from the field in his lone season in Madison. Amos' level of play in the NCAA Tournament gave Wisconsin fans hope of a jump entering his second year with the program. The transfer cycle somewhat halted that outlook, as the rising senior became projected for a reserve role when the team landed a high-profile transfer commitment from Portland forward Austin Rapp. Amos then entered the portal, likely searching for a guaranteed starting role. Due to his departure, head coach Greg Gard and his staff will need to return to the portal to bolster the team's frontcourt depth. Winter and Rapp are the two write-ins at the position. As of April 14, sophomore Riccardo Greppi and freshman Will Garlock are the only other forwards on the roster. 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
10-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What positions does Wisconsin basketball still have to address in the transfer portal?
What positions does Wisconsin basketball still have to address in the transfer portal? The Wisconsin Badgers have done a phenomenal job utilizing the transfer portal to address positions of need so far this offseason. Head coach Greg Gard and his staff understood that they'd be losing three starters, John Tonje, Max Klesmit, and Steven Crowl, and several bench contributors after the 2024-25 campaign. Needing to find portal additions to fill those players' respective absences, Gard and his staff have done exactly that, landing three high-quality transfers in guard Nick Boyd, guard/wing Andrew Rohde, and forward Austin Rapp. All three additions are expected to start next season. While that initial portal haul is exciting, there is still work to be done. After the departure of forward Xavier Amos, the Badgers will need to add more transfer depth than they may have expected. Those additions are necessary at two or three more positions: one backup center, one reserve wing, and potentially another reserve guard. The biggest need is a backup forward/center to play behind starters Rapp and Nolan Winter. Right now, rising sophomore Ricardo Greppi and freshman Will Garlock, neither of whom seem ready to jump into a large role, create the roster's only frontcourt depth With Xavier Amos gone to the portal, it would also make sense for Wisconsin to try to add another experienced transfer wing/forward, specifically someone close to Amos' height, to bring some more size to the bench. Another backup guard doesn't appear a top priority, considering the bench is already filled with depth at the position, including Jack Janicki, Zach Kinziger, Hayden Jones, and even Jack Robison. It's tough to say how many of those players will be in the rotation, but it still feels like the least important position of need. Wisconsin has the potential to continue its success from this season into the 2025-26 campaign. That will start with how deep the team is. Building out the roster with reserve pieces is necessary for this staff as it looks to raise the team's team's ceiling next year. 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
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball guard announces return for 2025-26 season
Wisconsin basketball guard announces return for 2025-26 season Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki officially announced his return to the Badgers for the 2025-26 season on Friday afternoon. The White Bear Lake, Minnesota, native shared his message via Instagram, saying "Grass is greener where you water it." Janicki's announcement arrives on the same day that forward Nolan Winter committed to return to Greg Gard's program for the 2025-26 season. It also follows star guard John Blackwell announcing his decision to enter the 2025 NBA draft while maintaining collegiate eligibility. Janicki is now poised to assume a larger role for the Badgers in his second season with the program. After redshirting his 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-5 guard burst onto the scene as one of Wisconsin's primary bench contributors in 2024-25, alongside Kamari McGee, Carter Gilmore and Xavier Amos. Janicki appeared in all 37 of the team's games, averaging 11.4 minutes, 1,9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per contest. While the statistics don't jump off the page, Janicki shined in several big spots. His 11-point performance against the Purdue Boilermakers on Feb. 15, eight-tally output against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on March 5 and nine-point outing against the Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 15 proved critical in signature victories for UW this past season. The Minnesota product joined the Badgers' program in 2023 as a preferred walk-on over opportunities at Colorado State, Wake Forest, Loyola (Chicago), Harvard, Rice, St. Thomas, Santa Clara and Vermont. At White Bear Lake High School, he became the first player in program history to score 2,000 career points and led it to its first state tournament appearance since 2000. While Wisconsin lost Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl, John Tonje, McGee and Gilmore this offseason, the return of Winter, Blackwell and Janicki are significant victories in an ever-changing transfer landscape. UW also landed Virginia transfer guard Andrew Rohde on Thursday, the first portal addition of the 2025 offseason. He, Winter and Blackwell, who will likely forgo the NBA and return to Madison for his junior season, will lace up as three of Wisconsin's five starters this coming season. Janicki and forward Xavier Amos will likely return as key bench contributors. In terms of what Janicki could provide, fans witnessed his shooting capabilities and toughness throughout the season. With McGee and Gilmore gone from the Badgers' bench unit, both Janicki and Amos should see an uptick in minutes production in 2025-26. For more on how the 2025-26 Badgers line up, here is our latest starting lineup and rotation projection. 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
20-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media ecstatic after Wisconsin's dominant NCAA Tournament win over Montana
Social media ecstatic after Wisconsin's dominant NCAA Tournament win over Montana Wisconsin started its NCAA Tournament quest with a stress-free 85-66 win over No. 14-seed Montana. John Blackwell led all scorers with 19 points off 7-of-12 shooting from the field. His efforts were complimented by strong games from two key frontcourt members: starting center Steven Crowl (18 points, four rebounds, two assists on 8-of-10 shooting) and reserve forward Xavier Amos (11 points, two rebounds, four assists and two blocks). The latter played arguably his best game as a Badger, leading a bench unit that helped to deliver a game-clinching run in the second half. Wisconsin led just 51-47 with 15:14 left in the game. Bench forward Carter Gilmore drilled an important three-pointer, extending the advantage to seven points. Gilmore wasn't finished: he grabbed the ensuing defensive rebound and added another layup on the offensive end, pushing the lead back to nine. Kamari McGee then assisted on a Nolan Winter three-pointer to extend Wisconsin's advantage to double-digits. Montana would soon cut that lead back to nine points with a Kai Johnson three-pointer with 12:22 left. Amos, however, provided a quick response, cutting inside for an easy dunk to push the score to 61-50 in favor of the Badgers. Montana would not come within 10 points for the rest of the game. The Badgers shot a whopping 73% from inside the three-point line against the undersized Grizzlies. Blackwell (7-of-10 from two), Crowl (6-of-7), Amos (4-of-5) and Gilmore (2-of-2) were all terrific in that regard. They scored above their season average (85 vs. 79.7) despite a pedestrian shooting performance from outside (7-of-23, 30.4%). Wisconsin will now face the winner of No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU in the second round on Saturday. Before the page is turned and the Badgers continue their postseason run, here are some of the best reactions from the comfortable first-round win. Carter Gilmore was again key to a big win Gilmore shushed the Montana crowd after a big three Big Cat's message: cherish tournament wins, regardless of the opponent Easily Wisconsin's best team since 2017, at least A win means a positive reading on the gauge Xavier Amos played his best minutes of the season Valuable big-picture perspective -- this season has been a success Wisconsin didn't even need a big game from John Tonje More reaction Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
