The Wisconsin Badgers are off to a 2-0 start to Greg Gard’s 12th season.

While their 75-68 win against Denver was unconvincing, the Badgers still have every chance to pull together a stellar non-conference record.

If the Badgers were to navigate their non-conference slate with a good record, it would start and end with Nolan Winter. 

Winter is in his fourth season as a Badger, and the former three-star broke out during the 2025-26 season, as he averaged 13.1 points per game. Winter added 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1 block as Wisconsin flamed out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against High Point. 

In Winter’s season debut, the 7-footer put together six points, two blocks, four assists and 14 rebounds on a 30% field goal rate. 

While there is plenty of room for change, Winter was recently nominated to Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks.  

“NBA teams should picture a fit for Nolan Winter, who's 7'0" and shot 71.0 percent on rolls and 41.0 percent on pick-and-pops. He's hit over 30 threes in consecutive seasons and shown enough fluidity off the dribble to attack closeouts and fake handoffs,” opens Jonathan Wasserman.

Wasserman sees Winter going in the second round, drafted No. 51 overall.

“Winter won't offer overwhelming rim protection, and he tends to fade or go quiet. But he clearly has the size and skill set for a stretch 4/5 and screen-and-score big.”