Could Wisconsin Have One of the Best Backcourts in the Country?

MADISON, Wis. — John Tonje is not walking back through the Kohl Center doors. Neither are Max Klesmit and Kamari McGee, each of whom gave Wisconsin a solid three seasons. But the Badgers are confident in what they have in the backcourt heading into the 2025-26 season…very confident.

In order to feel that way, getting John Blackwell back for his junior season was a must, but it’s far from the only part of the recipe. Sophomore Jack Janicki, a former walk-on, was rewarded with a new deal after emerging as a key part of the rotation last season. Head coach Greg Gard also went into the transfer portal and signed a pair of guards, Andrew Rohde (Virginia) and Nick Boyd (San Diego State/Florida Atlantic).

It’s early, but thus far, this new-look backcourt has fit together like a glove.

“The way we complement each other, on and off the court, it’s amazing,” said Rohde.

Nick Boyd Brings the Intensity, Pace, and Leadership

Per On3, Boyd was a four-star transfer prospect. As a junior, Boyd averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 41 percent from the field, including 35 percent from 3-point range. Over his career, Boyd is a 37 percent shooter from beyond the arc.

After striking gold with Tonje in the transfer portal last year, there’s reason to believe Wisconsin may have done it again. Going toe-to-toe with Blackwell, an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick as a sophomore, Boyd has emerged as a leader and go-to player for the Badgers.

“They’re both alphas,” said Gard.

Boyd chose Wisconsin over North Carolina, Washington, and others. He was actually on vacation when Gard and the Badgers first reached out. With no hesitation, Boyd flew out to Madison for an official visit. Beginning his career at Florida Atlantic, where he spent three seasons and went to a Final Four, Boyd saw a lot of similarities between himself and the UW basketball program.

“I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “That’s why I chose a school like Wisconsin. Upper-echelon, but kind of always very slept on.”

During the two open practices to the media, Boyd was the loudest voice on the floor. When they’re on opposite teams, Boyd hasn’t shied away from challenging Blackwell either.

“He sets the tone for the team. He’s a great player,” Boyd said. “We’re gonna need him to make big-time plays just down the stretch, so I’m just trying to get the best out of him. And he does vice versa.

“When you have a group that can compete like that, the sky is the limit.”

For Boyd, he’s trying to walk that line of asserting his role with a new team, but not trying to overdo it as a first-year player.

“They built this culture. I’m just here to add on to it,” he said.

Good to Be Home

While Boyd took the off-season headlines, Rohde may prove to be just as vital an addition. A native of Brookfield, Rohde began his career at St. Thomas, where a stellar freshman season vaulted him to Virginia for two seasons. As a junior, Rohde averaged 9.3 points and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor, including a blistering 41.3 percent from 3-point range. Back in the state of Wisconsin, Rohde has seen his family more in the past two months than he did during his entire two years in Charlottesville.

“I knew I wanted to come home and it felt right when I came on my visit,” he said.

When Rohde came out of the portal from St. Thomas, Wisconsin made a run then as well, but weren’t able to close. Since then, the Badgers have installed a new offensive system under assistant coach Kirk Penney, one that Rohde appears to be thriving in. Last season, UW ranked No. 149 in the country in KenPom’s adjusted tempo rankings. UVA was back at No. 361 out of 364 teams in Division 1.

“I think he really likes playing in this system,” said Gard. “It really fits him. As much as he scores, I think his passing is his best attribute. At his size, 6-6, his ability to play in the ball screens, I’ve seen his passing shine since day one.

“If you can play with the ball in your hands and play fast and play in ball screens. You’re gonna love playing this. He learned that right away from day one, how good it felt to be in playing at the pace and the spacing of the floor, the movement, all the things that we’ve been able to incorporate within this system. It fit him pretty well.”

Don’t Forget About Janicki

The forgotten man, Janicki, might be the most improved player on the roster. As a redshirt freshman, Janicki played 11.4 minutes per game, averaging 1.9 points per contest. A do-it-all glue guy who can play anywhere on the perimeter, Janicki was rewarded with a new off-season contract to stick around in Madison.

“He’s been really good,” said Gard. “He does a lot of little things — we’ve had so many of those guys over the years, Gasser (Josh Gasser), Showalter (Zak Showalter), who do so many things that impact winning — and Jack’s another one of those guys. He understands what it takes to win and he’s willing to do that for his team.”

Blackwell Hungrier Than Ever

For now, it all centers around Blackwell. One of the biggest breakout players in the country last season, Blackwell averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game for Wisconsin. He also shot a career-high 45.1 percent from the field while also generating nearly one steal per contest.

Testing the NBA waters after his sophomore season, Blackwell signed a large deal to return to Madison in 2025-26. As the old adage goes, iron sharpens iron. Training out in Los Angeles with the likes of Nique Clifford (Sacramento Kings) and Alijah Martin (Toronto Raptors), Blackwell has returned to Madison in the best shape of his life and as a more confident player.

“He’s come with a more dominant mentality,” Gard stated. “He has the ability to take over and really dominate games.”

Coming off one of the best offensive seasons in program history, Wisconsin averaged 80.1 ppg while making a program record 366 3-pointers.

Between Blackwell, Boyd, Janicki, and Rohde, UW features four guards, all with point guard experience at the collegiate level. A deadly combination in the Badgers’ heavy pick n’ roll system, which also features two forwards — Austin Rapp and Nolan Winter — who each shot better than 35 percent from 3-point range, UW sees a ‘pick your poison’ attack brewing.

“I think it’s going to be a long night for other teams,” said Boyd.