Badgers Open The Polls at Number 8
The Wisconsin Basketball team opened up practice this week which means the season is right around the corner. It’s been a long off season for Badger fans after the end we endured a loss last March against Notre Dame. But lets not focus on that, as a new season is now on the brink.
Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
With a fresh outlook, the Badgers come into the season ranked eighth in preseason polls from ESPN. What brought about Wisconsin’s high rankings? A large part of it was the fact that the entire roster from 2015-2016 will be back on the court for this upcoming season. Every piece will be back, including Senior Leaders Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig, and Zak Showalter. The Badgers have to be one of the most experienced teams in college basketball after the runs their seniors have had, and also the pieces around them getting valuable minutes last season.
The other factor is that Head Coach Greg Gard has had the ability to prepare all season with the same roster that he had major success with last season. If you recall the former assistant took over in mid December last season with the Badgers sitting at 9-9 and looking as though the NIT would be the highest possible destination.
In a few short weeks Coach Gard had brought a new light to Wisconsin Basketball as he reworked the offense to better incorporate his superstars. This change took the Badgers to a new level as they finished the season 13-4 and made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Now with a full off season under his belt, and not having to worry about any changes on both the roster and coaching staff it looks as though the Badgers will be an experienced and battle tested team to feared going forward.
The Badgers are the highest ranked team in the Big Ten, with Michigan State, Indiana, and Purdue also sitting in the top 25 at 10, 12, and 15 respectively.
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