Faculty basketball rankings: Wisconsin freshman Connor Essegian has Badgers off to quick begin

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Wisconsin was picked ninth within the CBS Sports activities Large Ten preseason ballot — and the Badgers may truly ultimately end that far down within the standings. As at all times, we’ll see. However there isn’t any denying that they are off to a better-than-expected begin to this season — extra particularly a 9-2 begin because of a successful streak that was prolonged to 4 video games Thursday evening when Wisconsin beat Lehigh 78-56 contained in the Kohl Heart.

Connor Essegian was good once more.

He is a 6-foot-4 guard who was solely ranked 226th within the Class of 2022, in response to 247Sports. Regardless, Essegian has been an impactful first-year participant. He bought 13 factors and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes in opposition to Lehigh and is now averaging 10.6 factors factors per contest whereas taking pictures 46.2% from 3-point vary.

“He bought going, made some photographs and gave us some power,” stated Wisconsin coach Greg Gard. “Connor strikes nicely with out the ball, and he will get in a rhythm. He is participant.”

Wisconsin stays No. 22 in Friday morning’s up to date CBS Sports activities Prime 25 And 1 every day faculty basketball rankings. The Badgers are considered one of 5 Large Ten faculties within the Prime 25 And 1 with the others being No. 1 Purdue, No. 10 Indiana, No. 17 Illinois and No. 20 Ohio State. Wisconsin’s 9-2 document is highlighted by Quadrant 1 wins over Marquette and Iowa. The Badgers’ solely losses are a 69-68 loss to Kansas in time beyond regulation and a 78-75 loss to Wake Forest. In order that’s two losses by a mixed 4 factors to a few power-conference faculties, considered one of which is the reigning nationwide champion.

The Badgers at the moment are coming into a lull within the schedule the place they will solely play two video games in an 18-day span. Subsequent up is a Dec. 23 recreation with Grambling State that’ll be adopted by a Dec. 30 recreation with Western Michigan. After that, Wisconsin will play 18 consecutive Large Ten video games. The Badgers are at present 2-0 within the league and tied with Purdue atop the convention standings.