April is typically a time where spring football dominates the conversation. At least that's the way it played out during my Open Jim mailbags from that month in 2022 and 2023.
People are also reading…
I have been a die hard Badger fan since Brian Butch played. Win or lose. But I hate what the NIL is doing to the game. Give me a good reason why I should even watch College BB anymore?
— Kristi Conway-Powers (@NoodlesP29) April 22, 2024
NIL is the topic of the week. Whatever school offers the most money will win games in the long run. What really is the future for Wisconsin and other middle tier schools in all sports?
— JMW123 (@jmw1235) April 22, 2024
Assuming it was dollars and cents that led to the Hepburn and Storr transfers, what are the chances that we find equal or better talent that will transfer in for what we're offering? In a "free market", isn't it more likely we end up with less talented players?
— mpone1956 (@mpone1956) April 22, 2024
Jim, in your view, what is the probability that the BB team actually improves its roster over last year once the portal madness is settled? It’s fair to consider natural development of returning pieces as well.
— Mike Heindl (@HeindlMike) April 22, 2024
UW MBB lost a bunch of guards in the portal. Could it be because Gard/UW is prioritizing 4's and 5's with their NIL funds instead of 1's and 2's?
— Mark Blume (@mb4wis) April 22, 2024
Do you place all the blame onto nil for Chucky leaving?
— Badger fan (@Juansmi39741088) April 22, 2024
With roughly a top 20 revenue athletic department why does it seem the consensus is UW is lacking in NIL? The collectives funded by the department (I’m assume) to gather donations is new for everyone so is it a lack of execution at UW? I think fans are confused why UW is lacking.
— Yusan Trading (@YusanTrading) April 23, 2024
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard looks on during a game last season.
Who runs the Varsity Collective? Are they willing to do an interview? Just seems like with all of the questions surrounding the Collective there should be a forward face to let fans/donors know what's actually happening or not happening
— Peter (@88pjs) April 22, 2024
Would universities want to change their stance on athlete unions? This way they could collectively bargain and maybe change the transfer portal. Is this a realistic option?
— David Ross (@davidross9296) April 22, 2024
Does Wisconsin mens basketball have enough NIL resources to be competitive?
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) April 22, 2024
Given the advent of NIL do scholarship numbers even matter? If a team is “over” their scholarship number like I recently saw UW at 87 vs 85 allowed who cares right? Just give them NIL money to pay for school as a “walk on”
— danharrier (@danharrier) April 22, 2024
At some point, shouldn’t everyone just accept that the Brewers will exceed experts expectations?…… because they pretty much always do since 2017
— Rob F (@RobFinley27) April 22, 2024
Photos: Wisconsin football 11th spring practice
Wisconsin Badgers running back Jackson Acker (34) runs the ball during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers defensive linemen Ben Barten (68), Will McDonald (77) and Cade McDonald (96) participate in a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow speaks to defensive end Ben Barten (68) during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Bryson Green (9) runs the ball during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers safety Austin Brown (9) reacts during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Tommy McIntosh (15) runs the ball against cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (10) during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers offensive linemen Jake Renfro (57) and Joe Brunner (56) participate inspring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Tommy McIntosh (15) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (86) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell watches his players during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Mike Tressel watches his players during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) participates in spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers long snapper Cayson Pfeiffer (99) participates in spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo speaks to wide receiver Bryson Green (9) during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers safety Justin Taylor (25) catches the ball during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) makes a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Mabrey Mettauer (11) makes a pass infront of Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Mike Tressel during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers cornerbacks coach Paul Haynes speaks to a player during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Davion Thomas-Kumpula (23) runs the ball during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Tyrell Henry (14) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell speaks to his players during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Jake Renfro (57) participates during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Peyton Lange (77), long snapper Duncan McKinley (64) and nose tackle Curt Neal (92) participate in spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Ben Barten (68), nose tackle Curt Neal (92) and defensive lineman Cade McDonald (96) participate in spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. (84) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers cornerback RJ Delancy (5) high-fives a teammate during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) participates during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers running back Cade Yacamelli (25) participates during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson (22) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) participates during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson (22) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers safeties and co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch speaks to his players during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. (84) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Elijah Hills (94) participates during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Quincy Burroughs (5) catches a pass during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, April 23, 2024. SAMANTHA MADAR,STATE JOURNAL
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
What does the future of Men’s CBB look like. How much will fans/alums fund? Where is the top when it comes to this annual $ shakedown? For professional sports you pay for a ticket and you buy a jersey. This seems like a never-ending larger annual commitment.
— Jeff (@bluehighway15) April 22, 2024
