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Blackwell start over Klesmit? It's not a knock on Max at all, just thinking that we would get off to a better start. If Max isn't hot from the start, he tends to pass on shots. Blackwell can create a LOT more than Max and I think that we would get off to a better start. Thoughts?

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MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin was well represented when the Big Ten Conference announced its men's basketball postseason awards on Tuesday, as John Blackwell, Chucky Hepburn, AJ Storr and Tyler Wahl each received individual honors.

Wisconsin's postseason honors were headlined by Storr, who was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team by both the coaches and the media. Hepburn and Wahl each earned honorable mention nods. Blackwell was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team while Hepburn earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.

Storr, who averages a team-high 16.2 points per game this season, became the first Badger to earn a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team since Brad Davison in 2022.

Hepburn and Wahl each earned honorable mention accolades for the second time in their careers. Wahl warranted the distinction in 2022 and Hepburn was recognized in 2023.

Blackwell became the ninth player in program history to earn Big Ten All-Freshman Team accolades. This is the third-straight season that UW has had a representative, after Connor Essegian (2023) and Hepburn (2022) each claimed the honor in their respective freshman campaigns. In all, Wisconsin has had five players named to the All-Freshman Team under head coach Greg Gard, as Ethan Happ also earned the honor in 2016 and Brad Davison in 2018.

Blackwell, who is averaging 8.5 points per game and shooting a team-high 48.1 percent from 3-point range this season, was a four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree this season. Blackwell is the first Badger to net four Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards since Nigel Hayes in the 2013-14 season.

Hepburn became the ninth Badger to earn Big Ten All-Defensive Team recognition, and the first since both Ethan Happ and Zak Showalter earned a spot on the team in 2017.

Chris Hodges was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin, the No. 5 seed in the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, begins postseason play on Thursday at approximately 1:30 p.m. (CT) at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Badgers will face the winner between No. 12 seed Maryland and No. 13 seed Rutgers.

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And I'm 100% guilty of this as a fan, and that is when expectations aren't met, there is a lack of pride in one's own personal effort. Now with the transfer portal and NIL, there is no loyalty to a school, which for the fan's sake is the common thread and experience with the players. There are guys like Blackwell, Wahl and Klesmit and for the most part Chucky who give 100% effort on both ends, but others who haven't bought all in...because they don't have to...money is going to follow them. NIL will also start the process of promoting the player vs the team which the fans so love and the players worked so hard for pride of school. The innocence or at least feigning innocence is completely gone.

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