The Midwest can be treacherous. Luca Virgilio told us all about it in one of our interviews, and Riccardo Greppi, who has been playing at Wisconsin for two years, confirms it. Winters at -30°F, and the only way to warm up is the heat from the student section inside the Kohl Center, home to a Wisconsin team that’s always tough in the Big Ten. There’s little room in coach Greg Gard’s rotations for the Lombard big man, who’s more focused on his personal growth through the Badgers’ Scout Team.
We interviewed Riccardo to talk about this year and a half in America and draw an initial assessment of his experience.
From Lombardy to Madison: how big was the jump?
Huge leap, especially in terms of climate. The other day it was minus 30 degrees. Sometimes it’s impossible to even leave the house. It was a big jump in basketball too, but also personally. Socially, with people, it’s a whole different world. I wouldn’t call it positive or negative—just different people. I have friends outside of basketball, classmates, people to hang out with. Madison is one of America’s best college towns; it’s a great place to live. There’s a lot of warmth.
How did your passion for basketball start, and when did you begin playing?
I was trying different sports like swimming, but I was tall, so I tried basketball. Where I started, it wasn’t even a real team—we were five guys just playing pickup games. Then I moved to Rovagnate, in the province of Lecco, where Antonelli Riva grew up. I started playing there. From 2010 to 2015 or so, I began just to do some sport, then I fell in love. In 2016, I went to a summer camp in Cantù, and they got interested in me.
How was the transition to Cantù?
It was the pivotal moment in my career. An important hub for Italian basketball, and I lived there for 4-5 years in the team dorms. I grew both personally and as a player. A fantastic experience that gave me visibility, allowed me to play EuroLeague Next Gen, Lega Basket Next Gen, and make the national team.
Speaking of the National Team
In 2024, the U20 squad was made up of players who all ended up in America: Innocenti, Van Der Knaap, Pozzato. Was NCAA already on the radar?
Yeah, almost all of us decided to go to America, but we weren’t really talking about it during that experience. I’ve been thinking about moving to America since 2020—in 2021, I even considered finishing high school there. I wanted to go early, but COVID derailed it. In the end, it was better to finish high school here and then pursue this path once done.
Getting to the NCAA: did you always follow it, or was it an idea that came with the offers?
I didn’t follow NCAA basketball much; I started watching in 2021 with the Baylor-Gonzaga final. But the idea of going to America came from combining studies and sports. I was fascinated by moving to a new state, changing everything, and finding new experiences, friendships, and opportunities. It always intrigued me, and I wanted to do it. I’m studying Interior Architecture because I’ve always been passionate about art and design. I’d already been to America with my parents, so I was lucky and knew what to expect.
You committed to Temple, then flipped to Big Ten Power Wisconsin: tell us about the early recruiting and choosing Temple
There were a few teams interested, but I picked Temple first because it was the flashier name compared to the low-majors or mid-majors on me. Even with my agent, we thought Temple was a great environment to grow and it wouldn’t be bad. Then when a name like Wisconsin comes along, it’s tough. Those were intense days. With my parents and those close to me, we thought hard about it. Wisconsin ended up being the best choice, especially for adapting and improving.
What did you think when Wisconsin offered? You could’ve played more at temple
I chose Wisconsin for the Big Ten—the level in practice is something you don’t even see at the highest levels of Italian basketball; it’s improved me tremendously. I saw a better future for myself here than at a mid-major like that.
How was the adjustment to american play? What have you worked on last season and this one?
I adapted pretty well right away. Practices are tough, but even our seniors who’ve seen other conferences say the workload is manageable. Compared to Europe, the demands are different physically and in what the coaches ask. I’ve realized I need to work on shooting—the future for bigs is spacing the floor. At Wisconsin, we play two bigs who can both open the floor. That’s what I’m focusing on; it’s what all teams want, and it holds me back a bit.
What’s your role on the team?
I’m on the scout team; we do everything to prepare our teammates best for games. We have to be ready to be any kind of player. In today’s practice, I ended up as Ohio State’s Tilly (interview done days before the Badgers’ win). It lets me study opponents and mimic them. It’s a great way to improve because you emulate different players. It’s fun—you can do things you don’t usually do or take shots you wouldn’t. For example, I mimicked Martinelli (Nick, one of Northwestern’s top Division I scorers), who forces a lot. You try new things, show off, and improve. Against USC, we lost, but I did great mimicking their 5, Ausar. Against Michigan, it went better—I tried to be both Morez Johnson and Aday Mara.
That win over a top National Team: Michigan
We did excellent scout work preparing for their starting five. Michigan plays super fast—probably No. 1 in NCAA possessions. They shoot in the first 15 seconds; often Aday Mara grabs the rebound and kicks to Burnett. We focused on stopping that so we wouldn’t have to chase and lose. Then hitting 17 threes in the second half and making almost all? Hard to lose, incredible. On the road, fans yelling everything, down 14. Beautiful.
How’s this Wisconsin team doing?
We’re very underrated: beat the No. 2 team nationally, 6-3 in Big Ten (now 8-3, 6th). Ups and downs like any team, but tough moments united us. We dig deeper in hard times because we’re a great group off the court too—friends, we hang out. It helps a ton.
What’s Coach Greg Gard like?
Tough guy, but knows how to relate to teenagers—when to joke, when to be in our group on Tuesdays.
Teammates: John Tonje, John Blackwell, Nick Boyd, Max Klesmit, lots of talent in Madison last two years. Who’s impressed you most?
Tonje was already a pro in professionalism; Nick Boyd’s similar. Basketball-obsessed, think about nothing else. Blackwell has more fun, super funny, but locked in at practice. One goal.
Opponents who’s impressed You?
We talked in the locker room—AJ Dybantsa is next level. No. 1 draft pick for me. Last year, Derik Queen—I was him in scout team, tough to guard, great player.
With schedule, school, games, how much College Hoops do you follow?
Other day in locker room, watched Purdue-Illinois (Wagler with 46). We watch together, comment on everything, especially upsets. Lots of Minnesota guys, so we followed Minnesota-Nebraska.
Studying architecture: any arena that’s impressed you?
Ours in Madison (Kohl Center) seats 17k—nothing like it in Italy. Always sold out. Not about size, but fan energy. Smaller ones are hottest: Maryland, Nebraska. Against Cornhuskers, couldn’t hear your teammate. Purdue too, where we won last year. Now Indiana’s historic one.
Last Year: Big Ten final run lost to Michigan.
Coming off rough stretch—lost to Oregon, Penn State. Day after Penn State, lit a bonfire outside gym, burned scouting reports to move on. Then big wins: UCLA (lost to them regular season), same vs. Michigan State. Up 10 on Michigan with 4 mins left, then mentally checked out. Happens—like vs. USC recently. Think you’ve won. But Big Ten final run was awesome; I was injured but asked to join. Gave March Madness momentum.
How tough Is working on mental factors like that?
Coach Gard always says play like you’re down 20. Give 100%, aim high. Last year’s losses, even this year, mental. Not lack of talent. Lost to powerhouse Purdue, but winnable. Couldn’t react. Our biggest issue now—probably everyone’s. Not schemes or skill; all have talent. It’s desire to win. Max out when it’s uncomfortable.
March Madness? Two Games, One of Tournament’s Best vs. BYU
Nonstop battle. Everyone dreams, but winners take it. Montana first round easy; then BYU with Saunders and Egon Demin—great game. We’re on track to return.
Ambitions this year: where can Wisconsin go?
Not March Madness win — pick concrete goals, focus on process. Fix team mental issues, unite more, push past adversity, be our best. But we’ve shown we’re top NCAA. Need consistency.
For You? End of adventure, what do you want?
Keep helping team, maybe get minutes to show what I can do. Not easy—Wisconsin/Big Ten tough. But I’ll give my best; it’s what I love, my future. Minimum is 100%, aim to take team higher.
