Wisconsin Badgers Benefit From Stability as Riccardo Greppi Confirms Return for 2025–26 Season
As the college basketball offseason continues to be dominated by whirlwind activity in the transfer portal, one program that has managed to navigate the chaos with a largely positive outcome is the University of Wisconsin Badgers. While the team has made several valuable additions through the portal, their biggest win this spring may not come from a flashy newcomer but rather from a homegrown piece choosing to stay put.
Amid speculation about his future, freshman big man Riccardo Greppi appears set to return to Madison for his sophomore campaign. The young forward announced his intention in a subtle but impactful way: with a short Instagram post reading “Let’s run it back,” Greppi all but confirmed that he would remain in Greg Gard’s system for at least another season.
The post was shared and quickly picked up by local Wisconsin sports media, including a tweet from Badgers beat reporter Kedrick Stumbris, who shared a screenshot of the announcement with the caption, “#Badgers reserve big Riccardo Greppi seemingly confirming his return to Madison via Instagram.”
Though Greppi didn’t play a major role in his first year with the program, his decision to return could prove to be critical to Wisconsin’s future frontcourt depth and development pipeline—particularly in the wake of Xavier Amos’s transfer, which marked the only notable departure of the offseason.
A Quiet Freshman Campaign, But a Bigger Sophomore Opportunity
Riccardo Greppi’s freshman season stats don’t jump off the page. He appeared in only nine games, averaging just 2.3 minutes per contest, and wasn’t heavily involved in the day-to-day rotation. But those who follow the team closely know that this trajectory was expected.
Greppi arrived in Madison as something of a long-term investment. A raw but promising big man with size, footwork, and a high motor, he was brought in not to immediately contribute at a high level, but to spend a season learning, adapting, and growing within the Badgers’ system—a system known for developing players over multiple seasons rather than relying on instant production.
According to those within the program, Greppi knew exactly what his role would be coming into his freshman year. Unlike many recruits who transfer after not immediately receiving playing time, Greppi came in with a mindset geared toward development.
“He was never under any illusions about coming in and playing big minutes,” a source close to the program noted. “He was focused on adjusting to the speed of the college game, getting stronger, and learning Greg Gard’s system inside and out.”
Now, with a season of practice and development under his belt—and with Xavier Amos’s departure leaving a vacancy in the frontcourt—Greppi finds himself in a much better position to earn meaningful minutes.
Replacing Amos: The Next Man Up
While Wisconsin has avoided losing key starters in the transfer portal, the departure of Xavier Amos did catch some attention. Amos had carved out a solid role for himself, providing both rim protection and rebounding off the bench. His exit leaves a clear opportunity for someone to step up, and Greppi appears to be the logical candidate to fill that void.
“Greppi is definitely going to be asked to take on more,” said a member of the coaching staff. “We’ll see how he responds this summer, but the expectation is that he competes for a consistent role in the rotation.”
That could mean Amos-type minutes off the bench—anywhere from 8 to 15 minutes per game depending on matchups—and a chance to show his defensive chops, rebounding ability, and potential as a screen-and-roll finisher.
The Badgers don’t need Greppi to become a star overnight. But they do need depth. In a conference as physically demanding as the Big Ten, where bruising frontcourt battles are the norm, having a reliable backup big who can spell starters without a major drop-off is crucial.
Transfer Portal Positivity
The decision by Greppi to return is a win in more ways than one. As the transfer portal continues to reshape the landscape of college basketball, player retention has become just as important—if not more so—than recruitment.
Wisconsin has fared well this offseason in that regard. Aside from Amos, all key contributors are expected to return. That includes Jack Janicki, Nolan Winter, and John Blackwell (pending a final decision about his NBA Draft status). Each of these players played meaningful minutes last year and showed flashes of being high-impact talents.
“Sometimes your best transfer portal moves are the guys who don’t leave,” one Wisconsin assistant coach said. “Continuity is underrated these days.”
By keeping its young core intact, Wisconsin gives itself a fighting chance to improve next year without having to start over. And while they’ve added a few portal players to boost their roster, the heart of this team remains homegrown and cohesive.
The Long View on Greppi’s Development
It’s still too early to project what kind of player Riccardo Greppi might become over the course of his collegiate career. But there’s reason to believe his skill set could translate well in the Big Ten over time.
Greppi has good size for a forward/center hybrid and has been praised by those inside the program for his defensive instincts, physicality, and willingness to learn. He may not be the most polished offensive player at this stage, but Wisconsin doesn’t necessarily need him to score. If he can protect the rim, rebound, and set solid screens, that’s already a net positive.
“He’s bought in,” one team trainer noted. “He’s in the gym every day, working on footwork, improving his mobility. He wants to get better.”
In an era where many players look to move on after just one year if they don’t see the floor, Greppi’s patience and commitment to development stand out. That kind of mentality is exactly what the Badgers coaching staff wants in its program—and it could pay major dividends in years to come.
Looking Ahead to the 2025–26 Season
With offseason workouts and summer development on the horizon, the Badgers are already looking ahead. Their roster is mostly set, barring any late decisions or unexpected portal entries, and they’ll likely begin training camp with a solid foundation of returning talent.
For Greppi, the summer will be crucial. It will be his chance to prove that he belongs in the rotation and can be trusted with meaningful minutes. His progress in the weight room, on the court, and in film study will determine how much of an impact he can make in his second season.
More broadly, Wisconsin enters the next season with renewed optimism. They’ve kept their key players. They’ve added where necessary. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve maintained a sense of continuity that is becoming increasingly rare in modern college basketball.
Conclusion: Quiet Moves, Big Impacts
In the ever-evolving world of college basketball, where headlines are often dominated by big names entering and exiting the transfer portal, it’s easy to overlook the quieter moments that define a team’s trajectory. Riccardo Greppi choosing to stay at Wisconsin might not make national news—but for the Badgers, it’s a significant development.
Greppi’s return is a testament to the culture Greg Gard and his staff have cultivated—one that emphasizes patience, development, and trust in the process. While many players chase immediate opportunities, Greppi’s commitment to “run it back” reflects a deeper belief in what’s being built in Madison.
And if his hard work pays off this offseason, the Badgers could very well find themselves with a key rotational piece who’s ready to make a real impact—not just this year, but for years to come.
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