The AP is Sleeping on Wisconsin: Why the Badgers are March's Ultimate Bracket-Buster

Let's be clear: this is my take, and I'm leaning into my mid-major radar instincts here. The AP Preseason Poll came out Monday, and as Sports Illustrated first reported, the result was a complete erasure of the Wisconsin Badgers. They didn't just miss the cut; they didn't receive a single vote from the collective of journalists and beat writers who make up the AP voting body.

In my view, the experts are making a classic mistake. They are looking at the departures and ignoring the foundation. Yes, as Sports Illustrated reports, the roster has seen significant turnover with the loss of Nick Boyd to the NBA and John Blackwell via the transfer portal. But if you look closer at the depth Greg Gard is assembling, the 'overlooked' label starts to look like a massive opportunity for those of us looking for a bracket-buster.

Wisconsin isn't starting from scratch. They are returning a core of veterans who logged major minutes during the 2025-26 campaign. Nolan Winter, who Sports Illustrated notes was named to the Big Ten All-Big Ten Preseason team, provides a steady hand. He is joined by Braeden Carrington and Jack Janicki, two other returning players who will be vital to the rotation.

Then you have the new blood. While they might not have been the most hyped transfers in the country, the early signs are promising. Sports Illustrated highlights that Owen Foxwell and Eian Elmer have already demonstrated they will be significant contributors during the team's two exhibition games. Add in transfers Trey Autry and Victory Onuetu, and you have a squad with enough versatility to cause chaos in the postseason.

Historically, the AP has a habit of miscalculating this program. Across 11 years at the helm, Greg Gard has posted a .650 winning percentage with a 237-128 record. Yet, in that same span, the Badgers have only appeared in the AP Preseason Poll four times.

There is a pattern here. The Badgers are frequently projected to struggle—currently, they are picked to finish 11th and in the bottom half of a grueling Big Ten conference—yet they consistently exceed those low expectations. Sports Illustrated points out that the Badgers often find their way into the rankings mid-season and typically secure NCAA Tournament berths. Over their last four trips to the tournament, they have entered as either a 3 or 5-seed.

Critics might argue that a lack of deep NCAA Tournament success under Gard justifies the skepticism. I disagree. When a team is this ignored by the national media but possesses a veteran core and emerging talent, they become the most dangerous team in the bracket.

Wisconsin is entering the season as an unranked team that no one expects much from. But based on Gard's track record of winning games he isn't supposed to win, I'm betting the Badgers will once again prove the pollsters wrong. If you're looking for the team that will tear up your bracket in March, look no further than Madison.