In Robin Pingeton's first season, it's been a bit of a mixed bag. The program definitely feels like it's on a step forward, but the overall season results are similar to the last couple of years. The Badgers were able to pull off a few impressive wins, but they are also now on a seven-game losing skid that is making their ability to get into the Big Ten women's basketball tournament a bit precarious.
Unlike the men's side, only the top 15 teams make the Big Ten Tournament. The men will take all 18 and make it six days' worth of games. The women have kept things at 15, and you have to see into it. The Badgers are currently sitting right on the cusp of that threshold. Listed as the 14th team right now with a 5-12 record.
Wisconsin needs a win or Purdue/Penn State to lose to make the Big Ten Tournament
That seems like good news, but the problem for Wisconsin is that they most likely will lose their final game of the season to Iowa, which is ranked No. 9 in the country. Leaving them at 5-13. That allows the two teams behind them, Purdue and Penn State, to win another game and tie them in standing. Pushing everything to a tie-breaker. Which isn't good for Wisconsin, as both teams hold the tie-breaker.
That means the Badgers need one of them, just one of them, to lose to make the Big Ten Tournament. The best chance is for Penn State to lose, as they are playing Indiana, and ESPN Analytics only gives Penn State a 19.2% chance to win that game.
Purdue is playing Northwestern, and that game is favored towards the Boilermakers by a fairly large margin. Purdue is predicted to win that game with a 64.1% certainty.
Wisconsin just needs one of them to lose to return to the dance, and that's your rooting guide. Let's just see them both drop so the Badgers are for sure in.