Nolan Winter's rim protection powers Wisconsin Badgers' best shot-blocking season in years

Wisconsin has gone from one of the Big Ten's worst shot-blocking teams to above average, thanks in part to Nolan Winter's drastic improvement

Feb. 23, 2026 at 6:33pm

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The Wisconsin Badgers are having a record-setting offensive season in 2025-26, but they've also quietly made major strides on the defensive end, averaging 3.2 blocked shots per game - their most since the 2020-21 campaign. Junior big man Nolan Winter has played a significant role in this improvement, averaging 1.2 blocks per game and already swatting 33 shots, more than twice as many as in his first two seasons.

Why it matters

Wisconsin has been in the bottom four of the Big 10 in blocks per game in each of the last four seasons, and were in the bottom six nationally twice. Averaging 3.2 blocks as a team this season, the Badgers are now in the top half of the Big Ten in the category, a significant improvement that has helped power their strong defensive performance.

The details

Nolan Winter has put in significant work to improve his rim protection, gaining 11-12 pounds in the offseason to better fill the center position after playing power forward in 2024-25. He's also worked extensively with Director of Player Development and former NBA center Greg Stiemsma on technique, doing "little dances" in the post to get around defenders and make it tough on the catch.

  • Through 27 games, Winter has swatted 33 shots, more than twice as many rejections as he totaled in his first two collegiate seasons.
  • The Badgers are averaging 3.2 blocked shots per game in 2025-26, which stands as their most since the 2020-21 campaign.

The players

Nolan Winter

A junior big man for the Wisconsin Badgers who has played a significant role in the team's improved shot-blocking this season, averaging 1.2 blocks per game.

Greg Stiemsma

The Director of Player Development for the Wisconsin Badgers and a former NBA center who has worked extensively with Nolan Winter on his post technique and rim protection.

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What they’re saying

“(I'm) just more comfortable. Having that third-year kind of confidence where I can go leave my man to go block a shot.”

— Nolan Winter, Wisconsin Badgers forward (SI.com)

“Coach Stiemsma was like begging me, 'Go block this. You're 7-foot. Go beat that up,' like it's okay to go leave your man, someone else is going to have you. That's what our defense is built on... I think it's just a confidence in this team and the defense that everyone's got their back.”

— Nolan Winter, Wisconsin Badgers forward (SI.com)

The takeaway

Nolan Winter's drastic improvement as a shot-blocker has been a key factor in Wisconsin's rise to become one of the better shot-blocking teams in the Big Ten this season, a significant turnaround from their struggles in the category in recent years.