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AP Top 25 finally ranks Wisconsin and gives huge metric boost for March Madness

ByMark Knight|
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Feb 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) leaves the game during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Braeden Carrington (0) leaves the game during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers are now ranked No. 23 in the nation by the AP Top 25 poll. This is tied for the Badgers' highest ranking of the season and the first time they've been in the top 25 in weeks. It's the last poll of the season, so Greg Gard and his crew can go into March Madness ranked. It's a big deal as Selection Sunday is around the corner. The ranking will matter in some selectors' minds.

The poll also gave Wisconsin another major metric boost that will absolutely matter for the seeding. Wisconsin now officially has three top-10 wins. Michigan comes in at No. 3, Michigan State is at No. 8, and Illinois is at No. 9. In the final ranking of the season, Wisconsin is one of only a few teams that can claim multiple top-10 wins.

Wisconsin is in elite company with their top-10 wins going into the NCAA Tournament

Related: Wisconsin, Greg Gard flirting with NCAA Tournament seed that feels cursed

Wisconsin has three top-10 wins (among current top-10 teams). The only other teams that can claim that prize are Duke, Michigan, and Arizona.

Michigan has beaten three like Wisconsin: Michigan State twice and Illinois once. Duke has beaten Michigan, Michigan State, and Florida. But Arizona has won the most against the current top-10 with four: Florida, UCONN, Houston, and Iowa State.

This will go a long way for Wisconsin when seeding selection happens. There are current top-10 teams that don't have as great a wins on their resume as the Badgers. Houston has beaten no teams ranked in the current top-10, for example. Other teams like Iowa State only have one (against Houston).

Now, this won't be the major way the NCAA Tournament selection committee chooses the field, but you have to imagine it will be in their minds. The committee will look at things like NET, WAB, quad losses and victories, best victories, and worst losses.

Wisconsin has avoided most of the pitfalls with only two losses outside the top-50 in the NET. The Badgers currently sit at NET 26 with a WAB of 22. That's an elite resume.

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