The Wisconsin Badgers have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride when it comes to their NCAA Tournament projections. Their recent 86-69 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes has caused a dip in their standings.
Previously riding high on the six-seed line after impressive victories over the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan State Spartans, the Badgers have now slipped to the bottom of the eight-seed line according to Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology.
While their spot in the tournament seems secure, the exact seed they’ll land is still up in the air. This makes Sunday’s matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes a pivotal moment for Wisconsin.
A win here could boost them back to a seven-seed, setting a positive trajectory to end the season as a top-six seed. On the flip side, a loss at home could push them down to the nine or ten-seed lines, where they’ve been hovering before their recent wins.
Looking ahead, the Badgers will face the Oregon Ducks, Washington Huskies, and Maryland Terrapins-all teams in the lower half of the Big Ten-before wrapping up the season on the road against the formidable No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers.
Had they managed to defeat Ohio State, Wisconsin might have been in the conversation for a top-four seed with another win against Iowa. Now, the stakes for Sunday’s game have been raised significantly, making it a crucial point in their season.