Breaking down all 3 of Wisconsin’s additions in the transfer portal

I’m not sure if it’s cause and effect or simple correlation, but it can’t be denied that Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard has been absolutely dealing in the transfer portal since former Athletic Director  Chris McIntosh shockingly announced his resignation  last week.

Since then, Wisconsin has landed three new players in quick succession: guard Trey Autry, center Victory Onuetu, and wing Eian Elmer. Here’s a quick breakdown of all three.

Trey Autry

This one came first, and  there’s a lot to like about the former George Washington shooting guard , a rising senior.

The son of former Syracuse player and coach Adrian Autry, the 6’4″ Autry is responsible with the ball and can do some scoring, too, averaging 11 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting from the field last season, including a really solid 38.5 percent from 3-point range.

He also had very Badger-like success at the free-throw line, hitting at an 81 percent clip. The capper is the fact that GW played an up-tempo, 3-point shot-focused offense. This bodes well for a fit.

Some are wondering if Autry is being brought on as a sub or starter, and my guess is, barring something unforeseen, he’ll be running with the ones next season in Madison. A rock-solid addition for Gard.

Victory Onuetu

This one hit early on Saturday and sent Wisconsin fans to Google , as Victory Onuetu wasn’t on anyone’s portal shortlist for the Badgers.

A sturdy 6’10” rising senior out of Hofstra, Onuetu averaged 4.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1 block a game on 56.6 percent shooting last season for Hofstra, including a nice game against Alabama in the NCAA Tournament, with 4 points and 9 rebounds.

This is not the type of big that Gard has favored recently. I doubt you’ll see many 3-point attempts from him. But he’s the style of player Gard has  needed:  a willing rebounder and rim protecting bench guy who can make things difficult for opponents inside the lane.

I was very pleased when I learned of this signing  from a complimentary  Sam Dekker social media post , and, like Dekker, I’m excited to see what Onuetu brings to the Badgers.

Eian Elmer

Eian Elmer was announced later on Saturday  and, by all indications, the 6’6″ rising Senior is the crown jewel of this transfer class.

Arguably the best player on his talented Miami (OH) squad, Elmer’s stat line was impressive: 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game with a 42.9 percent clip from 3-point range. These skills should translate nicely to a huge role in Greg Gard’s up-tempo offense that favors floor spacing and shooting.

It’s extra impressive that Elmer has never shot below 40 percent from 3-point range, going 40.3 percent as a freshman to 40 percent as a sophomore, and 42.9 percent as a junior with the Redhawks. Gard has to be salivating, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Elmer average 20+ points per game with Wisconsin.

While I don’t think he’s going to be nearly the slasher that John Tonje was for the Badgers, it’s easy to be excited about how Elmer’s game might expand in the Wisconsin offense. His free throws went up massively as a junior from 54 attempts to 99, so there’s room for growth here, and he shot them at an improved 75.8 percent clip this past season. This is simply a huge get for Gard.