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Wisconsin Basketball Bracketology Guide: March 5th

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7 months ago

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Wisconsin basketball guard Jordan Davis

Wisconsin basketball plays the Minnesota Golden Gophers today in a game with massive NCAA Tournament implications for the Badgers. Simply put, if Greg Gard and co. want to play in the Tournament, this is a must-win game. Depending on who you ask, Wisconsin either needs to simply avoid disaster to get into the Big Dance or win today plus a bit more in the Big Ten Tournament.

Is Wisconsin Basketball in the NCAA Tournament?

32 of the 60 bracketologists on Bracket Matrix have Wisconsin in the field. 1-3-1 Sports, DRatings, and HoopsHD are the three highest-rated predictors, according to Bracket Matrix, with brackets updated for March 5th. Each of them has Wisconsin as one of the first four teams out of the field.

Even Though Wisconsin did not play yesterday, plenty of games took place that shaped the NCAA Tournament bubble. It was a mixed bag of results, some helpful for the Badgers’ tournament chances and others unhelpful.

The good for Wisconsin basketball:

  • Nevada fell at home to its in-state rival UNLV 69-67 – its second Quadrant 3 loss. Nevada now finds itself in a precarious position as one of the last four teams in. The Wolfpack’s next game will be in the second round of the Mountain West Tournament against San Jose State – a game it will need to win to feel good about its chances on Selection Sunday.
  • Pitt had an opportunity to clinch the top seed in the ACC Tournament at Miami but fell to the Hurricanes 78-76. The Panthers slipped all the way to fifth in the ACC with the loss and to one of the last four teams avoiding a trip to the First Four in Dayton. Pitt will now have to play Florida State or Georgia Tech in its first ACC Tournament game – a must-win matchup as the Panthers hope to avoid a third loss outside the first two Quadrants.
  • Duke completed its season sweep of North Carolina with a 62-57 victory denying the Tar Heels a much-needed Quad 1 win. UNC now enters postseason play with only one Quad 1 victory (which it is barely holding onto as Virginia is right on the cutoff in the NET rankings to still count toward Q1). North Carolina’s best-case scenario appears to be sneaking in as one of the last four teams in the tournament, but some bracketologists do not believe UNC has the resume for even that yet. The Tar Heels will need to win at least two games (over Boston College/Lousiville, then Virginia) in the ACC Tournament – and maybe then some – to secure their spot.

The bad for Wisconsin basketball:

  • West Virginia defeated Kansas State 89-81 in a game that never felt that close down the stretch. The victory likely secures the Mountaineers’ spot in the Big Dance. WVU now has six Quad 1 wins with no losses outside the first two quadrants.
  • Auburn likely locked itself into the NCAA Tournament after pulling away late to secure a 79-70 victory over Tennessee. The Tigers now have 20 wins on the season, including three Quad 1 wins.
  • Oklahoma State has a resume very similar to Wisconsin’s. Both teams have six Quad 1 wins and just one Quad 3 loss. The Cowboys are 17-14 after a 71-68 victory at Texas Tech yesterday, and the Badgers are attempting to get their 17th win today. Much like the UW, some believe OSU is in the Tournament field, and some do not. While Oklahoma State’s win yesterday did not secure its spot in the Tournament, a loss would have taken them out of contention.

  • Florida Atlantic defeated Louisiana Tech 76-72 to complete its regular season with a 28-3 record. Bracktologists now have FAU firmly in the NCAAs, regardless of whether or not it wins the Conference USA Tournament. If FAU does not win its conference tournament, one fewer spot will remain for the Badgers to secure an at-large bid. 25-6 North Texas and 23-8 UAB are both candidates to win the CUSA and steal a bid.

NCAA Tournament Bubble Games Today

Although not as many as yesterday, many bubble teams are playing today. In addition to beating Minnesota, Wisconsin will want to see some other games around the bubble go its way for resume comparison’s sake.

Memphis Tigers vs Houston Cougars – 11:00 AM CST on CBS

Jim Nantz is on the call for his alma mater, Houston, ahead of his final NCAA Tournament. Memphis is on the tournament bubble, but would likely lock its spot in with a win over likely number-one seed Houston.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Maryland Terrapins – 11:00 AM on Big Ten Network

Penn State is in a spot similar to Wisconsin, one of the first four teams out of the field. Only 15 of 59 bracketologists at Bracket Matrix have the Nittany Lions in the field right now. Although a loss to Maryland would not be disastrous, PSU is running out of chances for quality wins.

Michigan Wolverines at Indiana Hoosiers – 3:30 PM on CBS

Michigan is also running out of chances for quality wins following its 2OT loss to Illinois. A loss today at Indiana would be the Wolverines’ 14th of the regular season. As regular readers of our bracketology guide know, that might be enough to end Michigan’s at-large hopes.

Charleston Cougars vs Stony Brook Seawolves in the Colonial Athletic Association Quarterfinals – 5:00 PM on FloHoops

Charleston is the second team of Cougars that Badger fans should be cheering for today. The Cougars (28-3) are close to being an at-large team if they fail to win the CAA Tournament. Wisconsin basketball fans should hope Charleston wins its conference tournament so that a debate between at-large candidates Charleston and Wisconsin is unnecessary.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Wildcats – 6:30 PM on Big Ten Network

After a devastating, buzzer-beating loss at Minnesota, Rutgers finds itself on the bubble. Although the Scarlet Knights are not in trouble quite yet, they would prefer a win on senior night to right the ship before the Big Ten Tournament.

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Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Kedrick Stumbris on Twitter @KedrickStumbris

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Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball 2023-24 Schedule Preview

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1 hour ago

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September 24, 2023

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Wisconsin Badgers Women's Basketball
Julie Pospisilova (5), Halle Douglass (10) and Maty Wilke (11) are among the Wisconsin players celebrating a basket during the team's victory over Bradley Wednesday Nov. 16, 2022 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Uwwomen Bradley 2 Nov 16 2022

We are just over a month away from the 50th season of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball! According to UW’s release about the new schedule, “the Badgers will highlight the program’s rich history and traditions” throughout the season. This is a cool opportunity for fans, both new and old, to learn about the program and the players that paved the way for this year’s team.

UW opens their 2023-2024 campaign with an exhibition game against UW-Whitewater on Oct. 29 at the Kohl Center. With the Big Ten announcing the conference schedule on Thursday, we now have a full slate of games to analyze. So, let’s get to it.

Wisconsin Women’s Basketball 2023-24 Schedule Preview

First up, a few key dates:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 7, season opener vs. Milwaukee
  • Friday, Nov. 24, Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off vs. Arkansas
  • Saturday, Nov. 25, Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off vs. Marquette/Boston College
  • Sunday, Dec. 10, Big Ten opener vs. Iowa
  • Sunday, March 3, final game of regular season vs. Michigan State
  • Wednesday, March 6, Big Ten Tournament starts in Minneapolis
  • Sunday, March 10, Big Ten Tournament final in Minneapolis

Wisconsin has 29 games on their schedule, including 18 Big Ten games, and will be looking to improve upon last season’s 11-20 (6-12 Big Ten) record that saw them win four of their last five regular season games, including an upset of No. 12 Michigan, and earn a bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Badgers have 15 games at the Kohl Center and 14 games away from home, which includes two down in Fort Myers at Thanksgiving. Wisconsin’s non-conference schedule is a bit more forgiving than last year’s slate, but there are still many challenges for a young, inexperienced team.

Based on last year’s Her Hoops Stats rankings, the Badgers should be favored to win their first two games of the season, before a tough home test against the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State. SDSU, who finished last season as the 14th best team in the nation per HHS, lost two starters from last year’s offensive juggernaut, but they will still pose a challenge to a leaky Wisconsin defense.

After playing Kansas State at Miller Park (I’ll NEVER call it AmFam Field) last season, the Badgers make the return trip to the Little Apple and play the Wildcats before heading off to sunny Florida for the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Arkansas and, most likely, Boston College await UW in the holiday tournament, but a potential matchup with in-state Marquette would be very fun.

UW rounds out their non-conference slate with various directional Illinois’ and a trip to St. Paul to play St. Thomas in a game I hope to attend. Wedged into the end of the non-conference schedule is the Big Ten opener against…ah shit, against national runner-up Iowa and Caitlin Clark. Not to sound glib, but keeping that one within 30 should actually count as a win for Wisconsin.

The Badgers play the Hawkeyes, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Rutgers twice this season. As far as single plays, they travel to Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, and Maryland while getting Nebraska, Penn State, Indiana, and Michigan State at home.

All things considered, this is a pretty favorable schedule for Wisconsin. Of their home-and-home series’ the only one in which they’ll be heavy underdogs for both games is against Iowa. Their “road only” games all look like losses to me and, in an ideal world, they’ll split their “home only” games.

Per UW, single-game tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. (CT). The pre-sale for single-game tickets for donors and season ticket holders is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10. Student tickets are available through Area Red.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers women’s basketball news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Drew Hamm on Twitter @DrewHamm5

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Wisconsin Basketball News: Badgers Miss on Blue-Chip Recruit, Scrimmage Announced, More

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22 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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Wisconsin basketball; Badgers coach Greg Gard talks to Max Klesmit
Mar. 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) talks with head coach Greg Gard during the second half of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a busy week for the Wisconsin basketball program, ladies and gents, but you’re in luck because BadgerNotes can help get you back up to speed with a roundup of some important Badgers hoops news you may have missed.

Wisconsin Basketball Misses on Five-Star In-State Recruit 

Five-star shooting guard Kon Knueppel, out of Milwaukee (WI), has been Greg Gard’s top target in the 2024 recruiting class for over two years. 

According to the industry-generated composite recruiting rankings, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter is the No. 16 player in the country, the No. 7 SF, and the No. 1 recruit in America’s Dairyland. 

After taking official visits to Marquette, Alabama, Virginia, Duke, and UW earlier this month, the Badgers learned on Thursday that Knueppel was taking his talents to Durham and joining Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils. 

While the news is undoubtedly disappointing, Wisconsin basketball did everything they could in this recruitment — and even put together a “substantial” NIL package. 

As it stands, UW has the No. 22 ranked recruiting class in the country, holding verbal commitments from Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison in the 2024 cycle.

Wisconsin Badgers Announce Red-White Scrimmage Date 

On Thursday, the University of Wisconsin basketball program put out a press release announcing that the annual Red-White scrimmage will take place on Sunday, October 15, at 4 PM central time. 

Per usual, the Badgers scrimmage will be free, with seating awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The gates will open at 2:30 PM for anyone wanting an up close and personal look at this year’s squad. 

Additionally, this will be the first Wisconsin men’s basketball event in which alcohol will be available for purchase — which is a massive win for Badgers fans. 

One last thing of note: the Red-White scrimmage takes place on a bye week for the Green Bay Packers, a savvy move by the athletic department. 

Other Wisconsin Basketball News

Although Wisconsin basketball is more than likely done in the 2024 cycle and moving on to the 2025 recruiting class, the Badgers coaches are still keeping tabs on top 150 big man Jaden Smith out of Chicago, Illinois.

According to the composite rankings, Smith is the No. 146 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle, the No. 26 C in the country, and the No. 5 player in Illinois.

As it stands, Smith holds offers from Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Dayton, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State, St. Louis, TCU, and others. However, Wisconsin Badgers assistant coach Dean Oliver has kept in contact with the 6-foot-11 big man and plans to attend an open gym later this fall to watch Smith again up close.

Smith isn’t your traditional Wisconsin basketball big man. He’s a rim-running shot blocker with above-average athleticism who can make plays above the rim.

His game is still a big raw, but there’s enough untapped potential to warrant maintaining contact in recruitment that is “wide open,” according to Smith. There’s also some mutual interest — so we’ll continue to monitor their relationship now that the Badgers have their answer on Kon Knuppel.

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

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Wisconsin Basketball Fans React: Badgers Miss on 5-Star Recruit

Published

3 days ago

on

September 21, 2023

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Wisconsin Basketball; Badgers recruiting target Kon Knueppel
Wisconsin Lutheran guard Kon Knueppel (33) handles the ball against Pewaukee guard Nick Janowski (25) on Tuesday January 3, 2023, at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Badgers basketball program was in the thick of the recruiting battle for in-state prospect Kon Knueppel. The five-star prospect out of Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee) officially visited UW earlier this year. A sharpshooting wing and top-20 prospect in the nation, the leading scorer on Nike’s EYBL circuit was a highly coveted prospect. After official visits with the Badgers, Marquette, Alabama, Virginia, and Duke, he has made his decision.

Top Wisconsin Basketball Recruiting Target Commits to Duke

The 2024 recruit announced his commitment to the Duke Blue Devils on the website formerly known as Twitter. Wisconsin basketball fans used the same website to voice their opinions on his decision. Some took it in stride. Others, not so much.

Despite what you might think, some level-headed people are on the internet. Even people in college basketball fandom. I know, shocking, right?


At the end of the day, these are teenagers trying to make the best decisions for the future. It is important to remember that. Watching Wisconsin basketball fans take a commitment to another program in stride is always a welcome sight.

Wisconsin Basketball Fans Have Harsh Reaction to Recruit’s Decision

Not all fans took the high road this time. Some had to get some pretty negative feelings out there.


Getting my head checked aside, these last two are so odd to me. “I am not saying this 17-year-old I have never met before is dead to me, but I did want to say it.” Or do you prefer, “I want to say a lot of mean things, but do not fret! I am showing restraint at this time!” Who asked? At least they make for good content for me to riff on!

Wisconsin Basketball Fans Want Greg Gard Fired

Check your watch! What time do you have? Mine must be broken because it says it is once again time to fire Badgers head coach Greg Gard. The Wisconsin basketball head coach, who has won two of the last four Big Ten titles, simply cannot manage to do anything right.


Maybe this was a bad metaphor. A broken watch is still right twice a day, after all. Oh well, it stays in.

Wisconsin Sports Celebrities Comment On Kon Knueppel Committing to Duke

Okay, “celebrities” (multiple) may be pushing it. I mean no disrespect to the Don – the one real celebrity here. Scary Alvarez and Packers beat reporter Rob Demovsky added their thoughts on Knueppel’s commitment Thursday night.


Despite losing out on Knueppel, Wisconsin basketball still has a solid 2024 recruiting class. The group ranks 22nd nationally and fifth in the Big Ten according to the 247Sports Composite. It is comprised of two commits, Daniel Freitag and Jack Robison.

Wisconsin Football Fans React: Badgers Defeat Georgia Southern

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Kedrick Stumbris on Twitter @KedrickStumbris.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party and stream Wisconsin Badgers games by following this link.

*Subscribe to BadgerNotes After Dark on Youtube and wherever you find podcasts, the official Wisconsin Badgers podcast of the Big Banter Sports Network.

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