All is not well within the Wisconsin basketball program. A new report from the Wisconsin State Journal features quotes from a lengthy closed-door meeting between members of the Badgers team and head coach Greg Gard, that painted a pretty clear picture of a divided locker room.
The Badgers roared out to an 8-1 record in 2020-21, but fell apart after reaching Top 10 in the polls, to finish 18-13. After a 15-point loss at home to rival Iowa, a group of Wisconsin seniors met with Gard, accusing him of failing to foster a relationship with his team. After the meeting, one of the seniors told the that he didn’t think Gard “got it” after the meeting.
Because of COVID-19, those seven seniors had a chance to return to the Badgers for one more chance at a deep tournament run. Only guard Brad Davison is taking up that opportunity.
There are plenty sounding alarm bells around the Wisconsin basketball program. Others are criticizing the players for recording what was supposed to be a private media, and going to the press with it, including former UW star Sam Dekker. This is clearly going to be a touchy subject for the program this offseason.
Sam’s right, this is a really bad look for whoever recorded this and leaked it. But I’d argue that this says more about Greg Gard. You don’t do this to someone you have any kind of real relationship with. You do this when the bridge is already burned. https://t.co/fVkSuMNBdW
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) June 22, 2021
Here’s one from Aleem Ford.
Another pretty damning quote about Greg Gard. pic.twitter.com/w2lDhdjocM
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) June 22, 2021
Respect for Greg Gard is at an all-time high. Imagine leading that crew of cry babies to the Big Ten title in 2019-20 and then getting reamed out by like Trevor Anderson and Walt McGrory because you don’t care about their geology exams and girlfriend problems.
— Bryce Danielson (@BDanielson12) June 22, 2021
Aleem Ford’s comments were the most convincing that Greg Gard has to go. Your own recruits can’t say they wouldn’t want their own son to play here or that he wouldn’t recommend coming to Wisconsin to incoming recruits.
— Dan (@WiscoSportsNut) June 22, 2021
Re: Wisconsin/Greg Gard.
If you don’t think the a lot of programs had come to Jesus meetings this Covid year you just aren’t that plugged in to hoops. This was the most trying mental health season in decades. Be worried about the teams that DIDN’T have these meetings when needed— Major Madness (@low_madness) June 22, 2021
There’s certainly a debate to be had over whether leaking this audio was appropriate. Wherever you fall on that part of it, it is clear that Greg Gard has some major work to do to win back over his team and restore the strong culture of Wisconsin basketball.
Gard took over for long time Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan in 2015, after 15 seasons as an assistant at the school. He is 119-63 as a head coach, with a 4-3 NCAA Tournament record, and the 2020 Big Ten regular season title under his belt. He was the conference’s coach of the year that season as well.
Wisconsin basketball reached back-to-back Sweet 16s his first two years as head coach, but has failed to get out of the Round of 32 since.
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