Wisconsin Basketball: Badgers Bracketology Week 5
By Tyler Hunt
An Up and Down Week Drops the Badgers Down a Notch in Bracketology
It was an up and down week in the world of Wisconsin Basketball as the Badgers suffered back to back losses followed up by a huge Big Ten win to keep Wisconsin on the top of the big ten with just a few short weeks to play. It was a week that saw the Badgers struggle at times, and things looked bleak when star point guard Bronson Koenig went down with a knee injury that kept him limited in both losses. However after a few days rest he was able to come back and contribute to the Badgers big home victory over Maryland.
As a result of the week’s efforts Wisconsin was unable to hold at the #4 in this weeks Bracketology, and have now fallen to a #5 seed to play in the dreaded 5-12 upset match up. As it sits now, Wisconsin would draw Syracuse in Buffalo, a practical home game for the Orange, according to Joe Lunardi. If the Badgers are unable to climb back into a four seed, they would be faced with a much tougher match up than they would draw as four. Big Ten foe and conference leader Purdue has moved up to the Badgers prized home draw in Milwaukee, so the end of the season could be the deciding factor for a serious home court advantage for Wisconsin.
Purdue and Wisconsin sit atop the Big Ten, but with Purdue winning the lone match up between the two teams the Boilermakers currently hold the lead for the conference regular season title and the ultimate four spot come March. For the Badgers realistically, it doesn’t seem like they will be making a jump any higher, so a opening round weekend in Milwaukee would certainly be the prized possession so far in the season, but they will need some help and must continue to play basketball at a better level.
Must Read: Evaluating Big Ten Contender's Remaining Schedule
Purdue will travel to Penn State, Michigan, and Northwestern and host Indiana in its final four games. A loss in any of those contest would do the Badgers a huge favor in both the Big Ten and overall seeding in March. While Wisconsin will have to focus on its own schedule which has its challenges, the Badgers will certainly be keeping an eye on conference foe Purdue which could alter their field spot come March.