BREAKING: Wisconsin Basketball Misses NCAA Tournament

Wisconsin basketball will not be going dancing this year.

The Badgers (17-14, 9-11 Big Ten) had their NCAA Tournament hopes officially dashed on Selection Sunday, but it was more of a formality after a disappointing season in Big Ten play. Wisconsin found itself on the bubble entering the Big Ten tournament but lost its first-round game against Ohio State after falling behind 27 points.

Badgers Basketball Season Disappointments

The Badgers have a number of close games to point out which, if things had gone the other way, may have been enough to get them in the field of 68. A one-point overtime loss to Kansas, a three-point loss to Wake Forest, two and three-point losses to Northwestern, a one-point loss to Rutgers, and a two-point loss to Purdue made for a season full of “what-ifs” for Wisconsin.

Among those what-ifs is Wisconsin’s dismal record in January. After Tyler Wahl suffered an injury in a 63-60 victory over Minnesota, the Badgers lost four straight games with their senior forward sidelined. In the same game that Wahl made his return, Max Klesmit took a shot to the lip, which required stitches and kept him out for UW’s next two games. Wisconsin went only 2-6 in January, including a stretch where it lost six of seven games.

Will Wisconsin Basketball Play in the NIT?

Missing the NCAA Tournament twice in five tournaments is unfamiliar territory for UW. Before 2018, Wisconsin had made the big dance every year since 1999.

Would appear #Badgers are prepared to accept a NIT bid if it comes to it.

UW says media availability will be following either the NCAA Tournament selection show or NIT selection show tomorrow.

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) March 12, 2023

Per Badger 247’s Evan Flood, Wisconsin basketball will hold media availability today following the NIT Selection Show. Playing in the NIT is a rarity for UW. The Badgers have appeared in the tournament only four times and not since 1996. The NIT Selection Show will be televised on ESPNU at 9:00 PM Central Time tonight (Sunday, March 12th).

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