Wisconsin Basketball: Leaked audio shows discontent with head coach Greg Gard

A bombshell was dropped on the Wisconsin basketball program on Tuesday morning when an anonymous source emailed a 37-minute audio recording from a private players-coaches meeting to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Jim Polzin from the State Journal first reported on the meeting, which the seven seniors requested with head coach Greg Gard and his three assistants in mid-February. The meeting was to air grievances and to hopefully turn the program in the right direction.

The meeting lasted two hours and of that 37 minutes of the conversation was secretly recorded and sent in from an anonymous email account. Each senior took their turn to let Gard know of their issues and much of what was said was nowhere near positive.

Of the many things said and discussed, D’Mitrik Trice’s comments show the separation from the players to head coach.

"“Last year we were playing for one another, but we were also playing for you,” he said “I feel like the disconnect (this season) is we’re not playing for you right now. We’re not here to build your resume, so to speak, with all respect given.”"

That was one of many comments made and Gard was reported to have sat through all of it directed his way and waited until each player said their peace before responding. The 37-minute audio file was only a part of the two-hour meeting, so there is speculation as to how he responded.

One person, who ESPN said chose not to be identified, said Gard told the seniors, “It’s not your fault, it’s my fault.”

"That is important to note and four-year starter Nate Reuvers said, “I just feel like, coach, we don’t have a relationship. In my mind, it’s too late for that. I personally don’t think or feel like you care about our future aspirations. I can’t talk to you. I just don’t want to talk to you. After this, coach, I don’t know what type of relationship we’re going to have, if we have one.”"

The cracks in the program are showing and the comments in the audio file kept coming.

"Walt McGrory told Gard, “I don’t know if I’ll ever talk to you again after this. We don’t even talk here. I’ll avoid talking to you here, so why would I talk to you after I leave? I can’t hold a conversation with you.”"

The Badgers program promotes a family atmosphere and Aleem Ford doesn’t see it that way.

"“After I’m done here, I don’t know if I would want to come back,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like home even though I’ve spent the last five years here. I’m from Georgia, I barely go home and this doesn’t feel like home away from home.”"

Gard was reached for comment by WSJ and responded by saying, “It’s so disturbing that somebody would take a private family meeting and make it for public consumption.”

Gard and the Wisconsin athletic department put out this statement:

Wisconsin had immense pressure placed on the program after returning all key players on its roster and entering the year ranked seventh by the Associated Press and Coaches’ Poll. Each of the seven seniors returned because the NCAA granted a blanket waiver because of COVID-19.

The meeting occurred with four games remaining in the regular season, in which the Badgers defeated Northwestern 68-51 two days after the meeting. They then lost three straight before the Big 10 Tournament. In all, after the meeting, Wisconsin went 3-5 to end the year.