The Wisconsin Badgers have had a rough day. After an exhausting weekend in the Big Ten tournament, they lost to the Michigan Wolverines in a fatigue-filled game and were then snubbed out of the Milwaukee pod site for the NCAA Tournament. If that isn't the worst of it, the draw they did get is rough, and Badger fans are pointing it out.
Wisconsin just played 4 games in 4 days
— Scary Alvarez (@barryisthedon) March 16, 2025
NCAA Committee: "Let's reward them with a Thursday game across the country at high altitude" pic.twitter.com/t1WnBKyhrd
I'm gonna go on record now and say that Wisconsin got tremendously screwed.
— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) March 16, 2025
Headed to the mountains to play a red-hot Montana and a flamethrower shooting BYU team. Both within closer proximity to the site than Madison.
Horrific treatment for a #3.
Oh, and a Thursday start! https://t.co/FHNR2UKUHu
We got screwed man. No rest, BYU is used to the altitude and barely has to travel, and we get the best 2 seed possible in Alabama in sweet 16
— BadgerFan247 (@WiscoBadger247) March 16, 2025
Wisconsin would’ve been better off losing on Saturday. They got absolutely hosed by the selection committee. Four-day turn after playing 4 games in 4 days; high altitude, and Milwaukee was sitting there waiting for them. HOSED.
— Doug Russell (@DougRussell) March 16, 2025
Wisconsin is a 3-seed in the East Region and will play in Denver on 4 days rest
There's a lot pointed out above by Wisconsin fans, and truly there are some great points. Let's summarzie for a second on why Wisconsin got screwed:
1. Thursday draw after playing in the Big Ten Championship game is brutal. That's only 4 days rest.
2. Lost Milwaukee to Iowa State (who arguably has a worse resume).
3. Must play in Denver at altitude that takes some getting used to.
4. BYU, who is already used to it, could potentially be their second round matchup.
5. BYU is as hot as any team in the country and somehow ended up as a 6 seed.
6. Alabama is the 2-seed which is arguably the best 2-seed in the tournament.
7. Montana is a tough draw for the No. 14 seed.
This about sums it up, and you can see how justified Wisconsin fans feel about their draw. At the end of the day, Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard will get them ready to go.
Greg Gard on being in Denver and not Milwaukee: We just go wherever they send us. I don't know what goes on in those rooms. There's a lot of moving parts to it. Obviously a really good seed with a three #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) March 16, 2025
Gard has never made a huge deal about being on the road or away, on the East Coast or the West Coast; he says they will be ready to go either way. This Badgers team was as hot as any team in the country in the Big Ten tournament but proved the double-bye is worth securing as they had to play one more game than Michigan did.
Now the attention turns to Montana in the NCAA Tournament.