Three Potential Aleksas Bieliausaks Replacements for Wisconsin Basketball

Wisconsin’s road to rebuilding it’s roster has become slightly clearer – and it’s a daunting one.

After losing rising sophomore forward Aleksas Bieliauskas, the Badgers are down to three forwards currently on the team (Nolan Winter, Austin Rapp and Will Garlock) and just nine players overall, even with the addition of Australian Point Guard Owen Foxwell.

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That means Wisconsin has at least six roster spots to fill barring any more transfer portal departures; it’s going to be a busy free agency for head coach Greg Gard and his staff.

The Badgers need to add reinforcements everywhere, but losing Bieliauskas was the most surprising outgoing transfer yet and creates an even bigger hole in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-10 Lithuanian’s season stats (4.9 points, 4.4 rebounds) won’t blow your mind, but he was a fixture of Wisconsin’s paint presence and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc in conference play. He also had scorching hot shooting streaks that promised plenty of potential down the line.

Now, the Badgers must find his replacement down low. Here’s a look at three transfer portal big men that could fill Bieliauskas’ shoes:

1. Noah Feddersen, North Dakota State

Former North Dakota State Bison forward Noah Feddersen. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Feddersen should have plenty of suitors after a strong junior season with the Bison in 2025-26, particularly in the back half of the year. From Jan. 22 onward, he averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds, also shooting 40 percent from distance in that span.

Defense isn’t Feddersen’s main calling card, but he did average one block per game, which is more than Bieliauskas can say. And at 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, he’s a similar size to the Lithuanian forward.

What’s more, Feddersen hails from Menomonie, Wisconsin. An under-the-radar recruit, he wasn’t initially offered by the Badgers. But if they’re intrigued now that he’s back on the open market, there’s a chance Feddersen could have interest in returning home.

With one year of…

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Publish date : 2026-04-09 21:34:00

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