The Mount Rushmore of Wisconsin Basketball in 2018

The Mount Rushmore of Wisconsin Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Amile Jefferson #21 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with teammates after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers as Nigel Hayes #10, Frank Kaminsky #44 and Bronson Koenig #24 look on during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 24: The Wisconsin Badgers mascot performs against the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. John Kotz

John Kotz is a name a lot of Badgers’ fans probably haven’t heard, but that should change. Kotz played at the University of Wisconsin from 1940 to 1943 and led them to their only National Championship in school history.

He was a 6-foot-3 forward who hailed from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He and Gene Englund teamed up to give the Badgers a great 1-2 punch back in the early 40’s.

The year the Badgers won their National Championship in 1941, Kotz was just a sophomore. This didn’t stop him from being the sparkplug for the team, as he earned the Most Outstanding Player award for the NCAA tournament. He used that momentum to earn a spot on the All-American team in 1942 and 1943. By the time he finished school, he was Wisconsin’s all-time leading scorer.

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