Wisconsin’s preseason outlook, remember, was a 12th-place finish in the new 18-team Big Ten. The Badgers have already proven that outlook wrong with a 15-4 (5-3 Big Ten) start to the season and a No. 18 ranking in the current AP Poll. Predictive metrics back that up — Wisconsin ranks No. 22 in KenPom and No. 26 in the ESPN BPI.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard discussed the matchup against Essegian when meeting with the media on Friday, specifically what he’s seen from the former Badger at his new destination:

The Badgers men's basketball coach is one victory away from becoming the fourth coach in program history to win 200 games.

Much like his first career win, the Badgers tested their coach's nerves down the stretch. But one trend continued Tuesday: Several players contributed to the victory.

The No. 24 Wisconsin men's basketball team picked up a too close for comfort 70-68 victory over Ohio State on Tuesday at the Kohl Center, but the night held

The 6-foot-4 guard who played his first two seasons at Wisconsin is averaging 11.2 points per game for Nebraska.

John Blackwell added 15 points and Steven Crowl 14 for Wisconsin to give coach Greg Gard his 200th career victory. Bruce Thornton had 21 points and Devin Royal 12 for Ohio State. LOS ANGELES (AP ...

MADISON – Bo Ryan, Harold "Bud" Foster, Walter "Doc" Meanwell and …. Greg Gard. The Wisconsin men’s basketball program has been around since 1898 and during 127 seasons only three coaches ...

Career win No. 200 for Greg Gard felt uncomfortably ... He’s now 108-72 in conference play, a .600 winning percentage that ranks as the eighth-best among Big Ten coaches since 1980.

Wisconsin’s preseason outlook, remember, was a 12th-place finish in the new 18-team Big Ten. The Badgers have already proven that outlook wrong with a 15-4 (5-3 Big Ten) start to the season and a No. 18 ranking in the current AP Poll. Predictive metrics back that up — Wisconsin ranks No. 22 in KenPom and No. 26 in the ESPN BPI.

Jan 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Aday Mara (15) is greeted by guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 03: John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after making a three-point shot in the first half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kohl Center on January 03, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)