Wisconsin Starter Non-Committal About Return Following Upset Loss to High Point

Following a heartbreaking opening-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter remains undecided about his future with the program.

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Cam'ron Fletcher (11) dribs to the basket against Wisconsin Badgers forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (32) and forward Nolan Winter (31) during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

After a wildly successful 2024-25 season that landed the Wisconsin Badgers a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament before a loss to BYU in the second round, Greg Gard was able to keep the core group of eligible players together for another run in 2025. That group included players like John Blackwell and Nolan Winter.

Fast forward a year, and the Badgers enjoyed another successful regular season with that core group plus an outstanding addition from the transfer portal.

Sound familiar? Wisconsin finished fifth in an extremely competitive and talented Big Ten Conference, with road wins over multiple top-10 teams, earning a 5-seed in the Big Dance.

Then déjà vu struck, and the Badgers made a quick exit from the tournament, losing to the 12-seed yet again. Historically, the Badgers have not fared well as a 5-seed. They are now a lowly 1-6 all-time in the 5/12 matchup and 0-3 under Greg Gard.

Nolan Winter Non-Committal About His Future

Wisconsin's Nolan Winter (31) celebrates a three-pointer during the Indiana versus Wisconsin men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After the game, Nolan Winter, one of the cornerstone players the Badgers successfully retained last offseason, wasn't ready to announce his future with Wisconsin after the tough loss to the High Point Panthers.

"Honestly, right now I'm really just soaking in this moment and of the tournament. I haven't given it any thought," Winter told reporters after the game. "I want to be here, for sure. I want to be a Badger for four years, but like I said, we just had one of the hardest losses that a team can have in the season, losing your last game this season. I'm not really concerned about what I'm gonna do for future years or whatever."

It's hard to fault Winter for not thinking about next year already. By all accounts, this team was extremely close, so a season-ending loss in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament is probably all he is thinking about. Like most players in that locker room, he doesn't want to make a decision during an emotional time.

The Reality of the Transfer Portal Era

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard talks with guard John Blackwell (25) during the second half of their quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament Friday, March 13, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin beat Illinois 91-88. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But on the other hand, that's college sports now. Every year is essentially free agency. Fans want to know if the star players of their favorite teams are going to be coming back. But we've seen this before with players like Chucky Hepburn. You can love a coaching staff and a program, but sometimes a program comes calling and makes you an offer you just can't refuse.

If Gard can keep Blackwell and Winter around for one last dance, it will be because of the culture he has built at the Wisconsin basketball program. Both players chose to come back to Wisconsin despite having some bigger offers at other schools. Can he do it again and keep the nucleus together for another run next season?