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I think the problem at this point has to be with available NIL money. Wisconsin isn't a school that has as many well-heeled alumni willing to put millions of dollars into the hands of athletes like we see with other schools. It's going to have a dramatic effect on who you can get, and keep, when it comes to talent. I refer to college players today as "hired guns." They're mercenaries. Forget the pep talks, and rallies. It's now all about business.The AD and alumni are clearly happy with WI being a middle of the road team in the Big Ten that can never do anything in the NCAA tourney. Proof in the pudding is extending Gard. With this style of offense you are not going to attract top tier talent or get them to stay long if you do as they will see this is not a offense that will get them drafted into the NBA. But UW does just enough to put butts in seats and keep some coin flowing into the coffers. Until that changes UW won't change it's coach.
Even if Bill Self ended up coaching Wisconsin, he'd struggle in getting elite players on board. He might improve the team one or two games, but that's about it. Money talks. Nothing else matters.
I think that's part of the reason they extended Gard. Until they get people on board who are willing to put up the money needed to put winning teams on the court, being mediocre is about all you can ask.
Maybe, just maybe, Gard has learned that the game he was teaching no longer exists. It's as antiquated as the old Naismith 4 corner offense. That said, if the future does hold millions being available, rest assured the Badgers will have an upgrade at HC as well.