Wisconsin Badgers: Sam Dekker Believes 2022 Wisconsin Season Serves As “Wake-Up Call”

Sam Dekker: 2022-23 Wisconsin Season Could Ignite Future Success

After the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team failed to make the NCAA Tournament this year, many fans felt that the program was entering dangerous waters. A year ago, the Badgers made their way into the second round of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by the Iowa State Cyclones. Wisconsin finished the year with a 25-8 record, an improvement over their 18-13 record the year before.

Wisconsin expected to have a much more successful season after their 2021-22 campaign. The Badgers failed to make the NCAA Tournament for just the second time since 1998 despite lofty expectations for the group. With Wisconsin having one of the more historic programs in college basketball, fans and former players expressed their concerns.

One specific former player that has spoken out is forward Sam Dekker. Dekker caught up with Betway Insider to discuss his March Madness takes for the upcoming tournament. On the topic of March, Dekker was asked about his thoughts regarding the Wisconsin Badgers failing to make the NCAA Tournament. The former Badger stated that he believes the struggling season should serve as a “wake-up call” that could ignite the team next season.

“I think experience in a rare down-year may be the wake-up call the program needs. It hopefully lights a fire in the players that do not want to have this feeling again.” 

Dekker went on to speak about what the team will need to do in the future to continue on a successful path. The former Badger highlighted the transfer portal as one of the key destinations that coach Greg Gard will need to look at to improve the team. Dekker also cited that Gard has the ability to take the Badgers back to where the program was just a few years ago.

“The transfer portal can certainly be an asset here in bringing some experience. I think Wisconsin should be a destination for a lot of talent. A lot of guys should want to play at Wisconsin. It’s an amazing city and an amazing program with a winning identity and a winning culture. And Greg Gard can get them playing the right way, but they need to bring in the guys to do that.” 

Perhaps transfers and experience is just what the Badgers need to propel themselves back into the winning position they were once in. Sam Dekker experienced some of the most recent highlights from the program during his career in Madison. Dekker played in 113 games for the Badgers while averaging 12.1 points and five rebounds across his career. His advice and belief in the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team could be the help they need.