The Wisconsin Badgers are heating up at just the right time.
After a rocky stretch earlier in the season, the Badgers have found their rhythm and are now riding a four-game winning streak that’s injected some serious momentum into their Big Ten campaign. Their latest victories - a gritty road win over Minnesota and a high-scoring home triumph over Rutgers - pushed them to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play. And with each passing game, Wisconsin is looking more and more like a team ready to make noise in the national conversation again.
Let’s rewind a bit. The Badgers opened the season ranked No. 23 in the country and jumped out to a 4-0 start, earning a spot in the AP Top 25 for the first three weeks.
But since Week 4, they've been on the outside looking in - nine straight weeks without a ranking. That drought might be ending soon.
Last week, Wisconsin was already knocking on the door, receiving votes in the AP poll. This week, they’re tied with St.
John’s as the top vote-getters outside the Top 25 - effectively sitting at No. 26.
That’s a clear signal: the voters are paying attention, and the Badgers are on the brink.
If they can take care of business this week against Penn State and USC, both Big Ten opponents, Wisconsin could be looking at a six-game win streak and a 7-2 conference record. That’s the kind of résumé that demands recognition.
Their recent performances have been anything but flukes. Against Minnesota, it came down to the wire - and freshman John Blackwell delivered in the clutch, burying a buzzer-beater that silenced the crowd and stole a win on the road. That’s a confidence-builder, not just for Blackwell, but for a team that’s learning how to close out tight games.
Then came the matchup with Rutgers, where Wisconsin came out firing. They built a 21-point halftime lead with sharp shooting and disciplined defense. Things got dicey in the second half as the Scarlet Knights clawed their way back into single digits, but the Badgers held firm, closing out a 96-87 win that showed both their offensive firepower and their resilience.
Next up: a road trip to Penn State. On paper, it’s a game Wisconsin should win.
The Nittany Lions are struggling - they’ve dropped eight of their last nine and are still searching for their first Big Ten win at 0-7. That said, they’ve shown they can hang with top-tier teams, losing by single digits to the likes of Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, and Purdue.
But lately, the wheels have started to come off. Their last two games?
Double-digit losses, including a 96-73 blowout at the hands of Maryland.
For Wisconsin, this is an opportunity to keep the momentum rolling, pad their conference record, and make a strong case to re-enter the national rankings. The pieces are starting to come together - the defense is tightening up, the offense is clicking, and young players like Blackwell are stepping up in big moments.
If the Badgers keep playing like this, they won’t be on the bubble for much longer. They’ll be right back where they started - and maybe even higher.