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How Wisconsin basketball is adapting to NCAA’s new eligibility model
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- How Wisconsin basketball is adapting to NCAA’s new eligibility model
MADISON – In the year since Marc VandeWettering moved into the Wisconsin men's basketball general manager role, the one constant in college basketball seems to be how much keeps changing.
"To say it changes by the year would probably be irresponsible," VandeWettering said. "It probably changes more monthly or weekly at this point."
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One of the latest changes has been the NCAA's implementation of a new age-based eligibility model that gives athletes five seasons of eligibility in a five-year span. It replaces the prior system that included redshirts and various waivers that could extend eligibility beyond four seasons.
Now, it's up to VandeWettering to help the Badgers evolve their roster construction around a five-year model instead of a four-year model – and a five-year model that could change even more amid legal challenges .
"That's something that we had heard for the last few years that could be coming," VandeWettering said. "And now obviously that it's here, we're modeling out what that looks like and who that applies to, where that applies, how the impact of high school kids and high school recruiting."
As Wisconsin constructed its 2026-27 roster under the previous eligibility rules, five of its 14 players were approaching their final season of eligibility. Former Australian pro Owen Foxwell and Hofstra transfer Victory Onuetu's circumstances are unique as international players.
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But Nolan Winter, Trey Autry and Eian Elmer all appear to be textbook examples of players who could theoretically benefit from having two remaining years of eligibility instead of one with the NCAA's five-in-five model.
Winter headlined UW's roster retention wins in April, and Autry and Elmer were two key transfer-portal additions. The possibility of another year was not a focal point, however, when the Badgers added those pieces to the 2026-27 roster puzzle.
"I think it was in the back of our minds, but it was never really a part of the conversation," VandeWettering said. "We didn't want to be in a situation where we were overpromising something. And like we've said multiple times, we do take this year-to-year for the most part."
Wisconsin guard Eian Elmer (55) looks toward teammate Jack Janicki (5) at the beginning of the Badgers' practice at the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion in Madison on July 21, 2026.
As much as Winter, Autry and Elmer could potentially help in 2027-28, any hypothetical about a two-year impact is dependent on what those athletes want to do in 2027-28. VandeWettering said he will have conversations with athletes in the fall.
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"Obviously, we got to take the temperature of the guys that have that additional year on the roster," VandeWettering said. "Some may have had plans to go play professionally or move on after their graduations, and we got to make sure we respect where they're at as well. We may want them to come back, but they may have other plans to go do some things professionally."
Elmer told reporters after UW's July 21 practice that "the goal is still to go pro." He specifically wants to be an NBA first-round pick. Autry, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the NCAA's new eligibility model.
"It's really a blessing because I know friends of mine who didn't get it," said Autry, who transferred to UW after three years at George Washington. "I know friends of mine who did get it. … I can not only just come in for nine months and try to make my mark. Now, I got two years to come and really leave a mark not only on the court, but off the court."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Wisconsin basketball is adapting to NCAA's new eligibility model
