Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Back in the Top 25 After 6-Week Absence

After a six-week hiatus, Greg Gad and the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program have made a warranted return to the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, securing the No. 23 spot just ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

This resurgence marks a significant turnaround for the Badgers, who faced a concerning stretch in February. They endured a four-game losing streak, went 2-6 overall, and never won back-to-back games, leading to their exclusion from the AP Top 25 together after reaching No. 6.

Despite their mid-season struggles, the Badgers regained their footing in March, capitalizing on newfound momentum to deliver an impressive performance in the Big Ten Tournament. Their victories over opponents such as the Maryland Terrapins, Northwestern Wildcats, and Purdue Boilermakers showcased what this group is capable of at full strength.

Although Wisconsin basketball fell short in the Big Ten championship game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, their showing was sufficient enough to garner some national attention heading into the Big Dance.

“We’re a better team walking out of here today than we were when we showed up on Thursday,” Gard told reporters. “I’m looking forward to these guys having more ball coming up this next week in the tournament.

“You want to be playing your best basketball in March, and we are.”

Wisconsin Basketball Looking to Make Some Noise in March

Wisconsin basketball returning to the Top 25 rankings makes them just one of three Big Ten programs represented heading into the NCAA Tournament alongside Purdue (No. 3) and Illinois (No. 10).

The news of their AP Top 25 ranking comes on the heels of their seeding announcement for the NCAA Tournament, where the Wisconsin Badgers secured the No. 5 seed in the South region.

Positioned as the No. 19 overall seed, Wisconsin is preparing to embark on a memorable journey in the tournament, starting with a challenging matchup against the No. 12 James Madison Dukes in the Round of 64.

As the Badgers gear up for tournament play, Wisconsin basketball is fueled by a renewed sense of confidence that will hopefully lead them on a deep run — and possibly make the second weekend.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. For more Wisconsin Badgers Athletics and Big Ten content, follow us on Twitter & Facebook. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher @DillonGraff at Dillon.T.Graff@gmail.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop, subscribe to our newsletter, and the BadgerNotes After Dark podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. Because of your support, we have become one of the fastest-growing independent media outlets focused on giving a voice to the fans!