The previous couple of weeks have been slightly hectic for gamers and coaches throughout school soccer. With a number of gamers exploring new alternatives within the switch portal and a number of upperclassmen opting to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, the Badgers may have a different-looking roster come spring observe.
Nonetheless, the Badgers and new head coach Luke Fickell acquired some constructive information on Monday, as fifth-year senior Michael Furtney has determined to return again to Wisconsin for a sixth season after beforehand getting into the switch portal.
Furtney is the second Wisconsin participant to take away themselves from the switch portal, as Markus Allen made the identical resolution final week after exploring the switch market and truly committing to Minnesota for a quick time.
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The senior out of Michigan took to Twitter to announce his resolution, saying:
“After nice talks with Coach Fickell, Coach Longo, and Coach Bicknell I’ve eliminated my identify from the switch portal. Nice issues are taking place right here, I imagine int he imaginative and prescient my coaches have for this crew. I’m excited to get again on the sphere with my brothers. UW is my residence!”
The choice by Furtney comes simply days after information broke that the Badgers will rent Jack Bicknell Jr. to supervise the offensive line and Phil Longo as offensive coordinator. Furtney’s vote of confidence within the new employees also needs to ship a constructive message to the opposite present gamers, as Furtney is considered one of Wisconsin’s most skilled offensive linemen, having performed in 43 profession video games with the Badgers.
A former three-star recruit out of Michigan within the 2018 recruiting class, Furtney signed with the Badgers over scholarship provides from Cincinnati, Jap Michigan, Fresno State, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Purdue, Syracuse, UCF, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Michigan, and others.
After redshirting and never seeing the sphere throughout his first two seasons in Madison, Furtney would go on to grow to be a invaluable backup as a sophomore and junior earlier than incomes the open-game nod at proper guard this 12 months.
Wisconsin offensive lineman Michael Furtney blocking in entrance of Graham Mertz.
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A multi-year contributor, Furtney began eight video games throughout the common season and he has expertise at each guard positions alongside the road. With Joe Tippmann and Tyler Seaside every off to pursue their goals within the NFL, Wisconsin may have taking part in time up for grabs, and Furtney ought to assist present larger depth to the offensive line in 2023.
With Furtney again within the fold, one attention-grabbing nuance to this story is what it means for his brother, Evan Furtney. The youthful Furtney is within the switch portal after starting his profession at Jap Michigan, and the idea was that they had been trying to play collectively subsequent season. Probably, Evan might be a part of his brother in Madison as a walk-on tight finish.
The Badgers now have six former gamers within the switch portal that haven’t but discovered a brand new residence, and three which have already selected their subsequent school of selection. Here’s a breakdown of which gamers stay and the place they’re headed subsequent season.
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Former Wisconsin basketball guard Chucky Hepburn put together his best performance of the 2024-25 season in the Louisville Cardinals’ blowout win over No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday.
As one of eight teams competing in the Battle 4 Atlantis non-conference tournament, Louisville decimated the No. 14-ranked Hoosiers 89-61 on Wednesday morning.
Hepburn was absolutely electric on both sides of the floor. In 29 minutes of action, the former Badger star registered 16 points, a season-high 10 assists and seven steals. Those numbers came on 7-of-10 shooting and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Through five games with the Cardinals, Hepburn is responsible for averages of 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals in over 27 minutes per game. As of Nov. 27, his 3.8 swipes per contest are the second-best in the nation behind only UC San Diego’s Hayden Gray (3.86 SPG).
Hepburn, who flashed his defensive brilliance during his tenure in Madison, is morphing into one of college basketball’s most pesky perimeter defenders. He is also proving his worth on the offensive end — the guard is shooting over 51% from the floor for the Cardinals to start the season.
In 103 career appearances with Wisconsin from 2021-24, the point guard averaged 32.1 minutes per game, 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals on 42% shooting and 36% from three-point range.
In his absence, the Badgers have leaned on star wing John Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell. Wisconsin is off to a red-hot 8-0 start to the season and currently sits at No. 15 in the latest AP Poll.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers, losers of two straight will look to finish the 2024 regular season on a high note on Friday afternoon when they travel to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers enter Friday with a 5-6 record and are in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time in 22 years.
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Wisconsin 2024 Schedule & Betting Trends
COV = covered, DNC = Did not cover
WISCONSIN OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE RANKINGS
The second year of Luke Fickell era not going to plan
The Badgers had hoped the second year of the Luke Fickell era would be more fruitful. After a 7-6 season last year, the Badgers went into the transfer portal this offseason and upgraded their quarterback position by nabbing former Miami (FL) starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Van Dyke would play in just two full games before suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama in the third week of the season. Since then, the Huskers have looked towards redshirt freshman Braedyn Locke to lead the offense. As with most young quarterbacks, the results have been mixed. This season, Locke has completed 56.4% of his passes for 1,806 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions.
Overall, the Badgers started the season off 2-0 with wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota before falling to Alabama and USC. In October, it appeared that Fickell’s program was finding its stride with four straight wins over Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern but have since lost four straight games.
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The Badgers made a change at OC midseason
The Badgers fired their offensive coordinator, Phil Longo, earlier this month following a 16-13 loss to the Oregon Ducks. Longo came to Madison with the hopes of bringing the Air Raid offense to the Big Ten, but the transition to the offense has been largely unsuccessful for the Badgers.
This season, the Badgers are averaging just 24.7 points per game, their lowest mark since 2004. Additionally, their passing attack has only garnered 202.7 yards per game ranking 93rd nationally, their rushing attack is slightly better when it comes to nationally ranked with 164.4 yards per game, ranking 65th.
In their first game without Longo last weekend against Nebraska, the Huskers totaled 25 points and 407 yards from scrimmage including 292 passing yards.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday will be the 134th meeting between the two programs since their first meeting in 1890. Through the first 133 matchups, the series is as tight as possible with Wisconsin holding a 63-8-62 advantage over the Gophers. The Gophers for a long time held the series advantage but a 14-game winning streak from 2004 through 2017, shifted the series in favor of Wisconsin. The Gophers over the P.J. Fleck era have been working to even it back up, doing so in 2022 with a a 23-16 win in Madison before the Badgers reclaimed the lead with a 28-14 win last season.
Kathleen Kay Lapp James, age 74 of Wisconsin Dells, WI passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. A memorial service for Kathleen will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Big Spring Congregational Church 373 Golden Ct, Wisconsin Dells at 1100 AM with Reverend Robert Hetzel presiding. Visitation
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