Wisconsin’s Greg Gard, Max Klesmit and John Blackwell voice support for shot clock in high school basketball

ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS – If Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Greg Gard and standouts Max Klesmit and John Blackwell were in charge, the shot clock would universally be a part of high school basketball.

Of course, that has been a hot topic in Wisconsin for years.

The three were asked about the issue during Big Ten basketball media day Thursday at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

“I don’t understand why we don’t have one in high school basketball,” Klesmit said.

The WIAA has the authority to implement the shot clock in Wisconsin, but a variety of issues, such as the cost of the clocks and finding people to run them, have prevented the idea from becoming a reality. The Badgers looked at the matter from a purely basketball perspective.

Klesmit related a story of how difficult his transition to college ball was. He went from playing at Neenah, which played at a slower tempo, to Wofford’s fast-paced offense.

More: Media poll predicts Wisconsin men’s basketball will finish in bottom half of Big Ten

“I didn’t play in the EYBL or a circuit like that where there is a shot clock and I got to Wofford my first year and we get down here and we’re just chucking,” he recalled. “We shoot anything that’s open, but then you realize that there’s 5 seconds left on the shot clock.”

Blackwell didn’t have a shot clock during his days playing high school ball in Michigan, but he did play with one in the EYBL. He said the experience helped him learn how to quickly get into sets and make moves.

“It changes the game,” he said.

Badgers coach Greg Gard argues that the shot clock improved the game in a variety of ways.

“I think we’re hurting the development of high school players by not having it,” he said. “I’ve been a vocal proponent of that, that we need it. I understand the road blocks that have been in place that has not allowed it to happen yet.

“I think we make the game better. Players are better. They have to make more decisions. Coaches are better. You have more end of clock situations and quite frankly it’s going to make officials better.”

Other highlights from the afternoon.

Klesmit, Blackwell excited for trip to LA

You don’t have to tell the Badgers when they face USC and UCLA. UW travels to both during a five-day road trip to California.  UW faces USC on Saturday, Jan. 18, and takes on UCLA, on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

“We get to go to California in mid-January when we don’t even see the sun in Madison,” Klesmit explained. “It’s just grey clouds and snow and whatever. Seventy-degree weather. That would be nice.”

Showing love for Nolan Winter

During an early-morning panel discussion Gard mentioned that sophomore Winter could be a player who emerges as a surprise performer.

The 7-foot-1 sophomore averaged 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 9 ½ minutes per game last season.

More: Greg Gard offers his take on Wisconsin’s point guard situation and a breakout performer at Big Ten media day

“Nolan has been killing it.” Blackwell said. “He had a dunk in practice the other day in practice. I love that he just went and flushed it.”

Winter added 15 pounds in the past year and looks bigger according to Klesmit.

“I think he’s still growing a little bit,” Klesmit said. “It really seems like he’s 7-1. He’s put on a little bit more mass.”

Much respect for Kamari McGee

Kamari McGee, the senior guard from Racine who missed 11 games last season due to foot injury has been bringing energy, leadership and improved shooting to the floor.

“As a guard in the Big Ten, you’ve got to hit shots,” Blackwell said. “He’s doing that really well. I’m proud of him. He always plays with that chip on his shoulder.

“And him overcoming the foot injury. His recovery process, he’s really been working at it and he’s looking good out there.”

More: Big Ten Basketball 2024 Preseason Team: Purdue’s Braden Smith named Player of Year ahead of season

Bonding over tacos

Wisconsin has seven new players on its 17-man roster.

Building connections can be a challenge with so many new players. There have been golf and paintball outings to help the team connect off the court, but much of it has been impromptu get-togethers. A regular meeting became Taco Tuesday at a local restaurant.

“That was kind of our thing during the summer,” Blackwell said. “That’s how we build our team bonding, hanging out with each other and playing the game and stuff like that. … It’s organic how we built our relationships.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin’s Klesmit, Blackwell, Gard support shot clock for preps