The Swing: A Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Podcast - podcast cover

The Swing: A Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Podcast

A podcast focused solely on the Wisconsin basketball team with hosts Zach Heilprin of the Wisconsin Sports Zone Network and Jesse Temple of The Athletic.
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Episodes

Joe Krabbenhoft joins the show, Elijah Gray commits, breaking down the 2025-2026 roster

Wisconsin finished its roster for the upcoming season by adding forward Elijah Gray. Assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft joins the show to discuss Gray and early impressions of the other transfers. The guys also discuss the new roles for John Blackwell and Nolan Winter, recruiting international players and the challenge of rebuilding your roster every offseason. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 03, 202547 min

Season recap, reacting to the transfer portal additions and departures

Wisconsin's season came to an end two weeks ago. Since then, the roster has undergone an extensive revamping that is still ongoing. Zach and Jesse return to talk about how the season ended but spend most of the time discussing the comings and goings from the transfer portal and what still needs to be done heading into next year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 08, 202544 min

Badgers beat Montana, getting ready for BYU, WSJ's Jim Polzin joins

The Badgers took care of Montana on Thursday. Zach and Jesse look back at the game and what went right. Then Jim Polzin joins from Denver to discuss the Montana game, preview BYU, Greg Gard's March legacy and more. The guys close with some listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 21, 202557 min

NCAA Tournament is here for Wisconsin, reaction to Big Ten Tournament, listener questions

The NCAA Tournament has arrived. Zach and Jesse react to the Badgers not getting put in Milwaukee, the challenge of playing Thursday in Denver, a little about what they are facing in Montana and their potential path to a deep run in the tournament. They also get into what was largely a successful four days at the Big Ten Tournament. They close with some listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 17, 20251 hr

Time for the Big Ten Tournament, injury concerns, listener questions

Wisconsin is entering the postseason having lost three of its last five, including the disaster against Penn State. Zach and Jesse discuss where the team is heading into the Big Ten Tournament, what needs to happen for them to get back on track, the injury concerns and more. They also answer some listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 202541 min

March has arrived, Overreaction, er No?, Listener questions

It's finally March! Zach and Jesse discuss the Badgers loss at Michigan State and win at Minnesota. They also get into whether the recent shooting lull is a concern, the impact of Jack Janicki, Max Klesmit's injury, how to approach the Big Ten Tournament and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 06, 202554 min

Wisconsin bounces back vs Washington, Overreaction, er No?, Michigan State up next

Wisconsin rebounded from a tough loss against Oregon with a blowout of Washington. Zach and Jesse discuss the collapse vs the Ducks and whether there is any long-term concern there. Then they get into John Blackwell's big day against the Huskies and a strong bench performance. The guys also get into some Overreaction, er No?, and look ahead to Michigan State this Sunday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 202540 min

Max Klesmit joins the show, Overreaction, er No?, Milwaukee (?)

Wisconsin has won five straight. Guard Max Klesmit joins the show to discuss what is working so well, the crazy stretch John Tonje is on, why this team is different than the past two, Big Ten title chances, potentially playing in Milwaukee for the NCAAs and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 202550 min

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard joins the show, Selection Sunday 34 days away, Purdue up next

The guys welcome Wisconsin coach Greg Gard to the show to discuss a ton of topics, including whether John Tonje has been the best transfer UW has ever brought in, his feelings on potentially playing in Milwaukee for the NCAA Tournament, the challenge of retaining players like Nolan Winter and John Blackwell and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 11, 20251 hr

Carter Gilmore joins the show, listener questions

Wisconsin split a pair of road games this past week. Zach and Jesse discuss the efforts against Maryland and Northwestern. Then, forward Carter Gilmore joins to talk about his huge day against the Wildcats, his career, what's changed for him this season, his future and more. The guys close with listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 03, 202551 min

Wisconsin hammers Nebraska, listener questions

Wisconsin bounced back from its loss at UCLA by hammering Nebraska. Zach an Jesse discuss the Badgers' offense and how dynamic and efficient it has been. They also get into an improved defensive effort, and the combo of John Tonje and John Blackwell. They close with a bunch of listener questions on Wisconsin's place in the Big Ten, Daniel Freitag's status and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 27, 202546 min

Wisconsin guard Kamari McGee joins the show

Wisconsin has won six straight games. Zach and Jesse are joined by guard Kamari McGee to discuss his journey to being an important piece for this year's team, why the offense works for him, the mood within the locker room and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 202546 min

Badgers with impressive wins vs Iowa and Rutgers, Listener questions

It was a good week for Wisconsin basketball. The Badgers put 116 on Iowa and then handed Rutgers its first home loss of the year. Zach and Jesse discuss the wins, including the performances of John Blackwell, Steven Crowl, Kamari McGee and Carter Gilmore. They also dive into a bunch of listener questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 07, 202550 min

Jordan Taylor joins the show, midseason thoughts, Overreaction, er No?

The Swing is back! Zach and Jesse discuss what they've seen from the Badgers so far this season. Then former Badgers great and current Big Ten analyst Jordan Taylor joins the show and hits on a ton of topics, including what he's seen from Wisconsin, the best teams in the Big Ten, the progress of Daniel Freitag and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 31, 202453 min

Badgers lose for the first time, Overreaction, er No?, Marquette awaits

Wisconsin lost for the first time on Tuesday night to Michigan. Zach and Jesse discuss the game and a big picture look at where the Badgers stand nine games into the season. Then they play a little Overreaction, er No?, take some listener questions and finish with a look ahead to the Marquette game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 04, 202437 min

Looking at Wisconsin's start to the season, Josh Gasser joins the show

The #Badgers are off to a 3-0 start but the competition will pick up significantly this week with No. 9 Arizona coming to town. Zach and Jesse discuss what they've seen from Wisconsin so far. Then former captain Josh Gasser joins to talk about the 10th year anniversary of their run to the national title game, Bo Ryan getting a banner at the Kohl Center, and the 2014 and 2015 teams being honored on Friday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 13, 20241 hr 2 min

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard joins the show

The Swing is back! With the Badgers getting the season going next Monday, Zach and Jesse are joined by Wisconsin coach Greg Gard. They get into a ton of things, including his thoughts on where the team sits right now, the challenge of being a good defensive team with so many new faces, the play of the transfers, his rotation, the state of college athletics and a whole lot more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 20241 hr 3 min

Wisconsin gets its NCAA Tourney assignment, looking back at a great week in Minneapolis

The Badgers know their opening round opponent in the NCAAs. Zach and Jesse talk about the game against James Madison, but also look back at a great performance by the team in Minneapolis and what it means for them in the Big Dance. They close by answering some of your Twitter questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 202438 min

Was Wisconsin's regular season a success, looking ahead to the B1G Tourney

Wisconsin closed out its conference schedule with a loss at Purdue to finish 19-12. Zach and Jesse discuss whether the regular season was a success, takeaways from the Rutgers and Purdue game, the Badgers chances at the Big Ten Tournament and the guys answer some Twitter questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 202438 min

Josh Gasser joins the show, NCAA tourney seeding, Howard Moore returns to the Kohl Center

Former Badgers great Josh Gasser joins the show to talk about his career at Wisconsin, the two runs to the Final Four, his take on this year's team and Greg Gard's job status. Zach and Jesse also talk about where Wisconsin sits in NCAA tourney projections, the importance of a win over Rutgers and Howard Moore's emotional return to the Kohl Center. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 06, 202457 min

A bad month of February, expectations for March, Bo Ryan (HOF?)

Wisconsin closed the month of February with a loss at Indiana. Zach and Jesse talk about whether it was the worst month for the team, the fire alarm that led to a 25-minute delay in Bloomington, whether the Badgers are in for a short March, Greg Gard's performance and discussion on Bo Ryan's Hall of Fame candidacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 28, 202438 min

Jordan Taylor joins the show, Badgers beat Maryland

Wisconsin won for just a second time in its last seven games. Zach and Jesse talk about the win over Maryland, some lingering concerns and a change in the rotation. Then the guys are joined by former Badgers All-American Jordan Taylor to talk about his time at Wisconsin, in the professional ranks, a fun recruiting story and what he sees from this year's team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 202438 min

Hitting the panic button, turnover woes, possible fixes before March

Wisconsin has lost four straight game for the first time in six years. Zach and Jesse discuss whether it's time to hit the panic button, the Badgers struggles with turnovers and whether there are any potential fixes to get Wisconsin back to playing the way it was prior to the last two weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 12, 202429 min

The defense shows up, players excelling in focused roles, Tom Izzo on Chucky Hepburn

Wisconsin kept its winning ways going last week and is now up to No. 6 in the AP poll. Grant Bilse joins Jesse to talk about the defense bouncing back against the Spartans, certain players excelling in focused roles, Tom Izzo comparing Chucky Hepburn to Mateen Cleaves and a fun story Jesse is writing on the Badgers strength coach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 30, 202442 min

Max Klesmit joins the show, Badgers offense still rolling, defense a concern?

Max Klesmit -- one of the hottest shooters in the country -- joins the show (23:42) to talk about his recent tear, what's working so well offensively for the team, the elbow he took to the face vs Indiana, where things have to be cleaned up defensively and more. Zach and Jesse also discuss what Klesmit has done the last couple weeks, the importance of the upcoming 4-game stretch, some questions around the defense and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 22, 202443 min

Sharif Chambliss joins the show, Max Klesmit goes off, Best team of the Gard era?

The Badgers are 5-0 in Big Ten play for the first time in 16 years. Zach and Jesse are joined by assistant Sharif Chambliss to discuss the great start and what's different from last year. The guys also discuss Max Klesmit's big week and debate whether this is Greg Gard's best team. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 202444 min
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