WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- When you're around the Badgers and in the locker room all week, one thing is for sure. This team is close. Low egos. And they certainly are not sick of each other as they make a bid for the Sweet 16 against BYU.
“It’s very special,” Badgers forward Nolan Winter says. “I mean, one through, what is it, 17, 18 guys? Everyone’s got a good personal connection off the court. And I just think that brings us a long way on the court, too. So we just wish nothing but success for everyone. And this is the most fun I’ve ever had on a team. So, I love every one of these dudes.”
And not to get lost in all this, in an era when coaches dress down, Greg Gard is old school and dresses up.
CBS 58 Sports Director Lance Allan said, “I always appreciate the fact you suit up on game day. No sweatsuits. I suit up on game day. We’re old school, man!"
"You know, I’ve had so many teachers and coaches that have mentored me through the years that would show up to classrooms with suits and ties, and I think we’re in a profession that, you know, it’s a very honorable profession,” Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard says. “And I think, also, you know, the message we send to our student athletes about how important this is. And you know, I think just something that my clothier really likes, that we stay in suits and ties and everything, but I think it’s just a message, so to speak, that I wanna make sure our program sent. And that we’re trying to keep this as professional as possible. Not as comfortable as those quarter zips we did during COVID. But I just felt we wanted to keep this going.”
Look good, coach good?
“We’ll try!” Gard says with a laugh.