Wisconsin
Who will be Wisconsin’s breakout player in 2025-26?
The 2025–26 Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team is set to look very different from last season, especially when it comes to who will be carrying the scoring load. With leading scorer John Tonje heading to the NBA, a significant number of offensive opportunities are now up for grabs.
While junior guard John Blackwell is expected to take another step forward from his already impressive 15.8 points per game, his improvement will not be the most impactful on the team. Instead, expect sophomore forward Nolan Winter to be poised to have the biggest breakout season for the Badgers.
Winter already showed promise during the 2024–25 campaign, averaging 9.4 points and leading the team with 5.8 rebounds per game. What’s especially encouraging is that he achieved those numbers despite splitting nearly equal minutes with veteran forward Carter Gilmore.
Winter played just over 21 minutes per game this season. But, with Gilmore now gone, Winter will likely see a significant increase in playing time, potentially closer to 30 minutes per game. More minutes will naturally lead to more opportunities to contribute on both ends of the floor.
Efficiency was one of Winter’s strengths as a freshman. He shot 56.4 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc, showcasing a rare ability to stretch the floor as a big man. That versatility is exactly what Wisconsin’s evolving offensive system needs.
Head coach Greg Gard and assistant coach Kirk Penney made a noticeable shift in the team’s offensive strategy last season, emphasizing perimeter shooting and offensive spacing. The result? A record-breaking year in terms of points scored and offensive efficiency for the program.
Winter fits this new system perfectly. As a seven-footer who can shoot from deep, he forces defenses to guard him on the perimeter, which opens up lanes for others and helps keep the offense flowing.
Wisconsin’s offensive identity is becoming more dynamic and guard-driven, and the additions of transfer point guard Nick Boyd and forward Andrew Rohde only add to that vision. Both players are strong ball-handlers and capable scorers who can drive into the paint and kick the ball out to open shooters.
With three interchangeable guards who can penetrate and create, Winter will benefit from a steady stream of catch-and-shoot opportunities from beyond the arc. One of his weaknesses has been his weight and post scoring, but Winter has continually gotten bigger and stronger each season and will get opportunities in the post as well, giving him even more chances to score.
Winter’s ability to hit outside shots, finish inside, rebound, and defend multiple positions gives him the tools to be one of the most improved players in the Big Ten. If he continues to build on the confidence and momentum from his freshman and sophomore years, Nolan Winter won’t just be a reliable starter—he’ll be a focal point of Wisconsin’s offense in 2025–26.
A chance for strong storms overnight on May 18 precedes a cooldown for the rest of the week. Here’s what you can expect.
Recovery efforts continue following EF3 tornado in Ringle, Wisconsin
An EF3 tornado that touched down in the Marathon County town of Ringle damaged or destroyed about 75 homes on April 17, 2026. Reporter Erik Pfantz shares these images as residents continue to clean up after the storm.
Central Wisconsin will see a small chance of storms overnight Monday, May 18, and cool temperatures for the rest of this week with rain likely again on Friday, May 22.
A complex of storms will move into the central Wisconsin area from the west near midnight on May 18, which could bring heavy downpours, gusty winds up to 40 mph, lightning and small hail, Scott Berschback, meteorologist with National Weather Service in Green Bay, told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter.
There is a small potential for stray showers and storms in the afternoon on May 18 but nothing widespread, Berschback said. Due to the storms arriving later in the day, they are predicted to be weaker than some initial reports and a small threat for tornadoes drops to zero after midnight, he said.
Cool temperatures expected for the rest of the week
A cold front will swing through the area on Tuesday, May 19, bringing a round of some potentially strong showers and storms in the morning that are expected to wrap up by noon, Berschback said.
Temperatures will be warmer and humid on May 18 and 19 with highs in the mid-60s to 70s before a dry cooldown on Wednesday, May 20, which will see highs mostly in the 50s across the area and upper 50s and low- to mid-60s on Thursday, May 21, Berschback said.
May 22 will bring another chance for showers and thunderstorms later in the day and into the start of the weekend, Berschback said.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 17 drawing
Midday: 7-2-6
Evening: 7-8-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 17 drawing
Midday: 8-9-1-9
Evening: 9-5-2-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from May 17 drawing
Midday: 01-03-05-07-10-12-13-18-19-21-22
Evening: 01-02-03-06-07-09-14-15-16-18-19
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from May 17 drawing
05-10-17-22-27
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from May 17 drawing
06-25-28-30-32-36, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Wisconsin
Fleeing Wisconsin driver gets airborne and jumps car over another car during high-speed chase
Footage from a high-speed chase in Wisconsin earlier this month shows the fleeing driver going airborne and jumping his car over another. We’re talking full ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ style.
It’s one of the most insane dashcam videos you’ll ever see. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office released the now-viral footage of the arrest, which took place on Saturday morning, May 9.
A fleeing driver goes airborne and flies his car over another one during a high-speed police chase in Wisconsin. (Getty)
FOX 6 reports that the Wisconsin State Patrol stopped a car, then called for backup because of an active felony warrant. As a Fond du Lac County sheriff’s deputy and another trooper arrived, the driver took off.
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A high-speed pursuit began and eventually came to an end when the driver lost control, went into a ditch, then up the embankment. This is where the car flies over another car.
The fleeing driver’s car not only flew over the other car, it went all the way over the road and ended up in a field on the other side.
Remarkably, Dewayne Stokes, 44, identified by police as the driver, wasn’t ready to give up. He got out of the vehicle and had to be Tased before being taken into custody.
The pursuit had come to an end after four and a half miles, a tiny bit of which was covered through the air. Stokes was then taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
OUTKICK IS NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
He was charged with seven counts, including first-degree reckless endangering safety and two counts of eluding an officer. His cash bond was set at $25,000, and he’s due back in court on June 24, according to court documents.
Stokes was out on bond at the time of his car flight for operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, FOX 6 added. He had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court. He didn’t know it at the time, how could he have, but that decision was going to put him on a path to fly a car over another car.
Everything happens for a reason.
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