Nobody Wants To Play Wisconsin

Not sure if you can call a projected five seed a true longshot, but if you are looking for a team outside the top line with the makeup to make a deep NCAA tournament run, Wisconsin absolutely belongs in that conversation.

The Badgers’ ceiling is clearly high, and they have shown it against real competition. This is not some team built on soft wins and a nice record. Wisconsin has beaten Illinois twice, handled Michigan State by 21 points, and gone on the road to win at both Purdue and Michigan. Those are the kinds of results that tell you the upside is real. This team has already proven it can beat quality opponents in different settings, and that matters in March.

What makes Wisconsin especially dangerous is the timing. The Badgers have been playing some of their best basketball of the season lately, and that is exactly what you want heading into the tournament. They feel like the type of team that could land on the five line and instantly become one that no No. 1 seed wants to see waiting in the Sweet 16.

And as always, elite guard play wins in March. Wisconsin has that. Led by Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, the Badgers have a backcourt capable of lighting up the scoreboard and taking over a game when needed. Nolan Winter adds another major piece, averaging 13 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, giving Wisconsin production and toughness inside. On top of that, the entire rotation is capable of knocking down the three, which raises the ceiling even more in a single-elimination setting.

Greg Gard is also a factor here. He is a capable leader who has won a lot of games in Madison, but the NCAA tournament résumé still leaves something to be desired. He reached the Sweet 16 in each of his first two seasons and has not been back since. That is a real question mark.

But maybe this is the year that changes. Wisconsin has the guard play, the shooting, the résumé, and the late-season form to make a serious run.