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Wisconsin Basketball Bracketology Guide: March 6th

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7 months ago

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Wisconsin basketball

Wisconsin basketball avoided elimination from NCAA Tournament contention by narrowly defeating Minnesota yesterday. Even though the Badgers got a much-needed win, the rest of the weekend’s results in college basketball were not so favorable. Wisconsin now finds itself in a very precarious position.

Is Wisconsin Basketball in the NCAA Tournament?

For the first time since it made the tournament field, Wisconsin now finds itself on the outside looking in, according to Bracket Matrix. Only 41 of 76 bracketologists currently have UW in the field, and Wisconsin is now the first team out in Bracket Matrix’s aggregated projection.

Results from other teams around the bubble have not been kind to the Badgers the past few days. Yesterday was nearly a clean sweep of positive results for Wisconsin, but one result, in particular, was costly for UW.

The Maryland Terrapins led the Penn State Nittany Lions by as many as 16 points and had a 12-point lead with six minutes remaining. That lead eventually evaporated as Penn State won 65-64 after a buzzer-beating put-back by Camren Wynter gave the Nittany Lions the lead. It was Wynter’s second game-winning shot this week, earning him Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

Penn State has now won five of its six last games and has a legitimate case for the NCAA Tournament – perhaps at the expense of Wisconsin. According to the Bracket Matrix aggregated projection, Penn State is now the last team in the field.

Wisconsin Basketball NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch

The Badgers obviously have no one to blame but themselves if they fail to make the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin can, however, hope for some results to go its way for a slightly better chance at making the Big Dance. Before UW opens Big Ten Tournament play with its eyes on a deep run, there are a few games that will further shape the NCAA Tournament bubble. Today, there are three conference tournaments that Wisconsin fans will want to ensure no bid thieves emerge.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. St. Thomas Tommies – Summit League Quarterfinals – 6:00 PM CST on ESPN+

Oral Roberts is close to earning an at-large bid with a 28-4 overall record. It is also the only team in the country that has not taken a conference loss yet this year. It is in the best interest of Badger fans for the Golden Eagles to simply win the Summit League and not have to worry about the Selection Committee awarding Oral Roberts an at-large berth to the NCAAs.

Charleston Cougars vs. Towson Tigers – Colonial Athletic Association Semifinals – 7:30 PM on CBS Sports Network

Although Charleston has taken two conference losses in the CAA, it has amassed an impressive 29 wins overall this season. A two-bid CAA would not be good for Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament hopes.

West Coast Conference Semifinals – 8:00 PM on ESPN and 10:30 PM on ESPN2

St. Mary’s, playing BYU at 8:00, and Gonzaga, playing San Francisco at 10:30, are the class of the WCC this season. Both teams will likely receive a top-five seed in the NCAA Tournament. If both win tonight, any chance of a bid thief from the WCC would be erased.

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

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18 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

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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.

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Wisconsin Basketball Announces 2023-24 Big Ten Schedule

Published

4 days ago

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September 20, 2023

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Wisconsin Badgers basketball head coach Greg Gard
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard is shown during the second half of their game Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Purdue beat Wisconsin 63-61.

You read that right: Wisconsin Basketball is right around the corner. Although football season just started, it’s never too early to talk Badgers hoops.

The Big Ten released the 2023-2024 men’s basketball schedule. Just like last year, Wisconsin will have one conference game in December and then return to Big Ten play again in January. This is one of the toughest and most exciting schedules I have seen recently.

Let’s take a look at some early thoughts on the schedule.

Wisconsin Basketball Has a Tough First Week of December

I mentioned how tough this schedule will be for Wisconsin basketball, and the first week of December is indicative of that. The Badgers will host Marquette on December 2nd, travel to East Lansing for their Big Ten opener against Michigan State on December 5th, and then head to Arizona on December 9th.

Safe to say, Wisconsin basketball fans will get a good sense of how great this team can be early on.

Wisconsin Basketball Has an Exciting Home Schedule

The Kohl Center should be rocking this year. Wisconsin basketball has a plethora of really intriguing home games this season. UW will have 13 games this year where they face a NCAA tournament team from last year. With nine of those being at the Kohl Center. Five Friday night home games, which include matchups with Tennessee, Indiana, and Michigan State.

On top of that, 5 Saturday/Sunday home games, including matchups with Marquette, Purdue, and Illinois. With the addition of alcohol being served at the Kohl Center now, I expect the Wisconsin basketball home crowd to be rowdy this year!

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 Griffin Gamble on Twitter, @gamble_griffin3

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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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