The Wisconsin Badgers have an interesting resume: they are one of 21 teams with at least six quad-1 wins and no quad-3 losses. Yet they also have a NET ranking of 32, which is partly due to the number of games they've let get away and lost big. The Baders are certainly a lock for the NCAA Tournament, but Wisconsin's seed varies.
AI Bracketology may be the lowest right now, with Wisconsin at an 8-seed after their split on the road. A frustrating loss to Oregon followed by a big win over Washington. Now, they only have two more regular-season games left to improve their seed for bracketologists like AI Bracketology, who are still low on the Badgers.
There are other bracketologists who are very high on the Badgers. 801 Bracketology or T3 Bracketology both think Wisconsin is sitting nice and cozy on the 6-seed line with even a chance to flirt with the 5-seed.
I have Wisconsin as a comfortable 6 seed right now! https://t.co/wXMNi2qBSz
— 🏀 801 Bracketology 🏀 (@801bracketology) March 1, 2026
Bracketologists have Wisconsin somewhere between the 6-seed and the 8-seed
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Joe Lunardi of ESPN continues to track the Badgers at the 7-seed for the NCAA Tournament. Often, the bracketologists seem to copy each other's homework, but not for Wisconsin. They have 6-seed comps all the way to 8-seed comps. It's an interesting array.
Now, of course, Wisconsin still has games against Maryland and Purdue to close the season. Going 2-0 would go a long way towards improving the overall narrative for the Badgers. There will also be a Big Ten Tournament game (at least one), as the Badgers are locked in for the double-bye spot right now. There is a slim chance Wisconsin gets a triple-bye, but it's hovering around 6%. You can read how here.
The variation will continue even if Wisconsin wins both. Losing one and winning another will change things dramatically. The one game the Badgers can't afford to lose is against Maryland, as that's a quad-3 opponent. Purdue would be nice, but since many are projecting that as a loss for Wisconsin anyway, it may not change much. Only with a victory.
Last year, Wisconsin went into the tournament after finishing as the runner-up in the Big Ten tournament as a 3-seed. They went on to lose in the second round to No. 6 seed BYU. Regardless of where Wisconsin falls this year, the goal is to get further than the second round.
This is march and this is the beginnings of the madness.