Austin Rapp Delivers in the Clutch as Wisconsin’s Confidence in Him Pays Off
MADISON, Wis. - Austin Rapp didn’t just show up Tuesday night - he arrived. The Wisconsin forward put together one of his most complete performances of the season, pouring in 18 points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out three assists.
But it wasn’t just the box score that told the story. It was when Rapp made his impact that turned heads - including two clutch three-pointers that swung the momentum late.
After the game, Rapp met with reporters in Champaign and opened up about his growth, the trust the coaching staff has placed in him, and the journey that’s brought him to this moment.
From the WCC to the Big Ten: A Leap in Progress
Rapp’s path to the Badgers included a jump from the West Coast Conference to the Big Ten - a transition he admits hasn’t been seamless. But it’s one he’s embraced.
“I always knew I was capable,” Rapp said. “It was just a matter of time before I started feeling comfortable out there.”
He’s been candid about the adjustment. The Big Ten brings a different level of physicality and pace, and it’s taken time for Rapp to find his footing. But the coaching staff never wavered in their belief, and neither did he.
“The coaches knew I was capable, and tonight felt good,” he added.
The Go-Ahead Three: Confidence in the Moment
With the game hanging in the balance late in regulation, Rapp found himself in a familiar spot - wide open beyond the arc, with the ball in his hands and the green light flashing.
“Coach was going to me late - I had the hot hand,” Rapp said. “They had to pick their poison. Were they going to let JB get downhill, or were they going to help off me?”
They helped off, and Rapp made them pay.
“I saw Ivisic sag into the lane, we made eye contact, and he zipped it to me. As soon as it left my hands, I knew I was letting it fly.”
The play wasn’t random, either. Wisconsin had drawn up specific sets - including some Spain action - designed to get Rapp open looks. That kind of trust from the coaching staff speaks volumes.
“There have been some ups and downs this year,” Rapp admitted, “but Coach keeps trusting me more and more. He knows my offense is there. The focus now is on improving defensively and staying in front of guys.”
Battling on Both Ends
Rapp didn’t shy away from the defensive challenge either. He found himself matched up at times with one of the game’s top prospects, Wagler - a player many believe will hear his name called in the top five or ten of the NBA Draft.
“He hit a couple tough threes in my face,” Rapp said. “Sometimes you just have to tip your hat and keep playing your game.”
It’s that mindset - acknowledging the challenge without backing down - that’s helped Rapp grow into a more complete player. He’s not calling himself a lockdown defender just yet, but he’s putting in the work.
“I’m a smart defender. I’m not the fastest guy, but I’ve got long arms, and I know how to keep guys at arm’s length,” Rapp said.
“Coach Snides deserves a lot of credit - my body’s transformed a lot. Over the next year, I want to keep building on that.”
A Long Road Back - and Forward
Rapp’s emergence hasn’t been without setbacks. A hamstring injury earlier in the season slowed his momentum, but he used the time to reset mentally and recommit to the defensive end - something the coaching staff had been emphasizing.
“I was starting to make strides before I went out,” he said. “I was taking the coaches’ advice to heart. It was always a matter of time before I could start stacking good games together.”
Now, he’s doing just that - and the timing couldn’t be better as Wisconsin looks to build momentum down the stretch.
Manifesting the Moment
Rapp’s late-game heroics didn’t catch him entirely off guard. In fact, he visualized them the night before.
“Funny enough, I was going to bed last night, and I actually envisioned myself hitting some big shots,” he said with a smile. “To actually come out and do it - it’s pretty crazy.”
He drilled two huge threes late, including one that gave Wisconsin the lead and another that helped force overtime. But the night nearly took a wild turn when Rapp, thinking the Badgers were down one after a missed free throw, almost committed a costly foul.
“I looked up at the last second and realized we were tied. I was like, ‘Ohhh.
Do not touch him!’” he laughed.
Crisis averted - and win secured.
Built on Belief
What’s driving Rapp right now is something you can’t always track on a stat sheet: belief. His teammates - Nick Boyd, JB, Nolan, Rohde - have been in his ear, encouraging him to keep shooting.
His coaches have drawn up plays for him in crunch time. And Rapp himself?
He’s never doubted what he can bring to the floor.
“That trust means everything,” he said. “It instills so much confidence.
I’ve said before - I believe in myself. And now, the coaches believe in me, too.”
If Tuesday night is any indication, that belief is starting to pay off - in big moments, on big stages, with the game on the line.
And for Wisconsin, that might be the biggest win of all.