Wisconsin Badgers are usually not in the mix when it comes to a top recruit in the state. Sure, Tyler Herro signed a letter of intent to Wisconsin, but he made a meteoric rise through the ranks in his last years at Whitnall High School. The last major top recruit that had Wisconsin in the final mix was Diamond Stone. Badgers missed out on Stone as he went to Maryland (They dropped so many bags to get him there). But the Badgers have a chance at another top flight recruit and probably one of the best ever to come out of the Badger state. Jalen Johnson put Wisconsin in his last four teams with Duke, Arizona and Kentucky. Wisconsin recruiting with the likes of those programs is a great thing for Greg Gard.

Final 4 🙏🏽 @TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/OPuECBjc6S

— Jalen Johnson (@Jalen_J23) May 5, 2019

Even if Johnson does not go to Wisconsin, this is a good step for Gard and team with having top talent consider Wisconsin. For a few years, it seemed like Wisconsin would be considered an afterthought. Johnson apparently does not see that way. The Sun Prairie native would play for his hometown team, and the idea of him playing a year at Madison would be enticing for all Badgers fans. Gard and staff being more open to a one-and-done talent is a major lift for the program. They do not need to be a factory like the other three teams listed in Johnson’s last four, but to consider a clear one-and-done guy when the circumstances are right is a step in the right direction.

It was odd to me that this news flew a bit under the radar. Maybe I’m overreacting to it, but Johnson is a top three player in the entire country. That is a significant win for the Badgers program.

Charlie.