Jon Rothstein predicts unique Wisconsin basketball starting lineup

Fanduel's Jon Rothstein included an intriguing name in his projected starting lineup for the Wisconsin Badgers . The 2026-27 season will be here before Greg Gard knows it, but in the meantime, he's stuck putting together his new starting five . With only Austin Rapp and Nolan Winter returning to the starting lineup, Gard had his work cut out for him.

Sure, the Badgers had quite a few returning bench players, but one of those is in line for an increased role, according to Rothstein . Even with the transfer portal addition of Trey Autry, Rothstein sees guard Jack Janicki earning a spot in Gard's starting lineup. Jon Rothstein's projected starting lineup: Guard: Owen Foxwell Guard: Jack Janicki Guard: Eian Elmer Forward: Austin Rapp Center: Nolan Winter Janicki will be entering his junior season, and it's notable that he's started just one of the 63 games he's appeared in.

He's averaged double-digit minutes in each of his first two seasons but has yet to average more than 2. 2 points per game. When looking at Autry, the former George Washington guard is someone who's started 68 games in 100 appearances.

He's fresh off back-to-back seasons where he averages 10+ points per game. Somehow, that's not good enough in the eyes of Rothstein for him to make the starting five over Janicki. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion .