With the 2023-2024 college basketball season slowly inching closer, fans and media are beginning to incorporate hoops discussion back into the news cycle. In the latest ESPN NCAA Tournament Bracketology by Joe Lunardi, Wisconsin basketball is firmly in the field after missing the big dance last season. 

The other Big Ten programs that made the cut were Michigan State (1), Purdue (1), Illinois (5), Maryland (8), Northwestern (8), and Indiana (10).

Wisconsin Basketball Lands an 8 Seed in Latest Bracketology Projections.

Receiving an eight-seed feels suitable for Wisconsin basketball heading into the 2023-24 season. UW is coming off a disappointing 20-15 season where the Badgers finished 11th in the conference.

On the bright side, Greg Gard returns a talented roster eager to run it back and show everyone last season was a fluke. Wisconsin returns 92% of its scoring, the most in the B1G, and 90% of its minutes from last season. 

To recap the offseason:

• Jordan Davis transferred out.
• Sophomore wing AJ Storr transferred in.
• The 2023 recruiting class looks promising.

Wisconsin basketball should also see plenty of internal growth from returning players — that should make for a much deeper and dependable rotation.

If I was a betting man (and I am), I’d put money on the Badgers competing for a double-bye in the Big Ten this season — but making the NCAA Tournament regardless.

Given Wisconsin’s youth — and core pieces already in place — the following season (2024-25) could be where coach Gard and the Badgers make a deep run.

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