Wisconsin Basketball Hoping Connor Essegian Can Return to Form

Nov 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian (3, right) fouls Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

While Connor Essegian has faced shooting challenges due to inconsistent playing time and other factors, Wisconsin basketball coaches know what he can bring to the table. 

The Badgers got an extended look at the Indiana native last season due to a lack of depth. Even in a limited time this season, his passing and off-ball movements have displayed promise. Now, the question becomes, with Big Ten play staring the Wisconsin Badgers in the face, is it worth it to work through Essegian’s slump at the risk of hurting the team? 

Despite the team’s poor three-point shooting (32.9%), which is good for No. 210 in the country, Wisconsin men’s basketball is No. 13 in adjusted offensive efficiency, per Barttorvik. Thanks to offseason additions like AJ Storr and freshman John Blackwell, they’ve found a way to score around the basket efficiently and from the charity stripe. 

If Greg Gard decides to play Essegian, who is undoubtedly a fan favorite for extended minutes, opposing teams will continue to force-feed the ball to whoever is being guarded by him. We know by now that he’s a borderline liability on the defensive end. The effort is there, that much is clear, but for whatever reason, it just hasn’t clicked in a way that justifies him seeing the floor over someone like Kamari McGee in short spells. 

If Essegian reclaims his impactful role off the bench, fulfilling the preseason expectations, Wisconsin basketball will certainly be in a better place. However, I don’t see a viable course to that happening. 

Wisconsin basketball knows shooters as talented as Connor Essegian don’t grow on trees, and in the transfer portal world, if someone doesn’t play, they’ll likely move on. So, that’s the only reason I see the Badgers even trying to make it work.