The Wisconsin Badgers are facing a major roster overhaul for the 2026-27 season, a pivotal moment for the program as the transfer portal era continues to reshape college basketball.

The departure of guard John Blackwell to the transfer portal is the latest significant loss. He joins three other top-six scorers—Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington, and Andrew Rohde—who have exhausted their eligibility. This exodus means the Badgers are losing roughly 65% of their scoring and 54% of their minutes from the 2025-26 campaign.

When you factor in the departures of reserves Jack Robison and Riccardo Greppi, alongside an already open scholarship, the math becomes stark. At least eight of Wisconsin's 15 roster spots for next season will be filled by newcomers, signaling a dramatic shift in team identity.

As the transfer portal window opens, the focus in Madison shifts to rebuilding. Head coach Greg Gard and his staff now face the critical task of blending returning talent with new faces from both the high school ranks and the portal itself. The success of this reload will define the Badgers' trajectory in a competitive Big Ten landscape.

For now, here’s a look at the core players expected to return and anchor the team through this transition, as the Badgers prepare to write a new chapter.