Bucky's 5th Quarter - All PostsWelcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47803/buckys-fave.png2024-03-18T17:48:11-05:00http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T17:48:11-05:002024-03-18T17:48:11-05:00Chucky Hepburn, A.J. Storr proved to be the ‘X-Factors’ for the Badgers in Big Ten Tournament
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pSPKZEEHU-StY434tfqx1xwV2mE=/0x0:5061x3374/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216585/usa_today_22801114.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers got major contributions from their top two players when they needed it the most.</p> <p id="I5BqGp">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> were deemed as a No. 5 seed in the South region of the NCAA Tournament, where they’ll play the No. 12 seed James Madison Dukes in the first round on Friday.</p>
<p id="au8O43">Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, the Badgers put together a strong week of performances in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, helping solidify their case as a No. 5 seed, thanks to wins over the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, and <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a>.</p>
<p id="hSSp7B">Through the week, despite facing injuries, the Badgers were able to muster victory after victory, thanks to strong performances from both Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr.</p>
<p id="MJfC9e">Storr was on a tear in the tournament, averaging 22.5 points per game, while hitting 38.5 percent of his threes on 6.5 attempts per game, providing Wisconsin with a much-needed scoring punch as players were banged up.</p>
<p id="uNY42c">Hepburn, who had started to turn up in February with a number of double-digit scoring performances, was the heart and soul of the Badgers’ run, overcoming a nagging knee injury to play 38 minutes in a strong game against Purdue on Saturday.</p>
<p id="Ea1GRs">In the Badgers’ 76-75 overtime win, Hepburn poured in 22 points, hitting 9/12 of his shots and recording three steals. But, more importantly, the star guard made clutch play after clutch play on both ends, and Wisconsin needed each and every play to win that game.</p>
<p id="g5DMu1">On Sunday, Hepburn turned up in the second half once again, putting up 20 points, five assists, and three steals in the 93-87 loss.</p>
<p id="4aDfny">Both players ultimately made the Big Ten All-Tournament team, joining Illinois’s Terrence Shannon, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga, and Purdue’s Zach Edey.</p>
<p id="sb90WI">Prior to the tournament, I hosted a reacts poll where I asked who would be the ‘X-Factor’ for the Badgers in the tournament.</p>
<p id="bBSIpq">24 percent of fans believed it to be Storr, while only nine percent chose Hepburn, with many believing it to be Max Klesmit or a bench player on the team.</p>
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<p id="ubrB9U">Next up, the Badgers have a tough task ahead of them with the NCAA Tournament, looking to overcome injuries and play just five days after going through four games in four days.</p>
<p id="sQAKap"><em>Check out </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured?wpcid=163864&wpcn=SBNation&wpcrid=Reacts&wpscn=Social&wpsrc=Vox&category=live-in-game"><em>DraftKings Sportsbook</em></a><em>, the official </em><a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/featured"><em>sportsbook</em></a><em> partner of SB Nation.</em></p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/18/24105158/chucky-hepburn-aj-storr-proved-to-be-the-x-factors-for-wisconsin-badgers-in-big-ten-tournamentRohan Chakravarthi2024-03-18T14:55:15-05:002024-03-18T14:55:15-05:00Wisconsin vs. JMU: Betting odds, spread, moneyline and more for 2024 NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Mg11a3AIbAIwPcXIpKx7jIweFE=/0x0:5576x3717/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216188/usa_today_22801721.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers open as favorites in their first round matchup against James Madison.</p> <p id="gTvDLu">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> are set to play against the James Madison Dukes on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 5 seed in the South Region of the bracket.</p>
<p id="2HUo5f">Wisconsin is entering March on a strong note, as they beat the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, and <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> to reach the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> finals, where they ultimately fell short to the <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> 93-87 on Sunday.</p>
<p id="zqx6Nd">They’ll now focus their attention on the NCAA Tournament, where they’ll begin their journey against James Madison, with tip-off set for 9:40 P.M. ET.</p>
<p id="yCM5qK">Should they advance past the first round, they’d face the winner of the No. 4 <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com">Duke Blue Devils</a> versus the No. 13 Vermont Catamounts on Sunday.</p>
<p id="GPig4i">Here’s how you can watch Friday’s game for the Badgers against James Madison.</p>
<p id="6OZnlS"><strong>How to watch</strong></p>
<p id="BOT2a1"><strong>TV:</strong> CBS, Friday at 8:40 P.M. CT</p>
<p id="wb8OmL"><strong>Stadium: </strong>Barclays Center</p>
<p id="cXygxC"><strong>Line:</strong> <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab?referrer=singular_click_id%3d9b9ce4c0-adb3-4227-9d91-dda8bea755ad&wpcid=166791&wpcn=Inartcile&wpcrid=CBB&wpsrc=Vox">Wisconsin -5.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)</a></p>
<p id="aNphf9"><strong>Over/Under</strong>: <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab?referrer=singular_click_id%3d9b9ce4c0-adb3-4227-9d91-dda8bea755ad&wpcid=166791&wpcn=Inartcile&wpcrid=CBB&wpsrc=Vox">145 (DraftKings Sportsbook)</a></p>
<p id="DuIgSE"><em>(Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>DraftKings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.)</em></p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/18/24103136/team-vs-team-odds-spread-favorite-underdog-2024-ncaa-tournament-draftkings-sportsbookbrittany.jarretRohan Chakravarthi2024-03-18T13:45:56-05:002024-03-18T13:45:56-05:00Wisconsin returns to AP Top 25 after strong Big Ten Tournament performance
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<figcaption>Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers are back as a top 25 team in the country.</p> <p id="xULVrN">For the first time in six weeks, the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> have made an appearance inside the AP Top 25, coming in at No. 23 ahead of the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p id="JqB1x9">Wisconsin, who had been as high as No. 6 earlier in the season, had a rough February that saw them lose four consecutive games, prompting them to fall out altogether from the AP Top 25.</p>
<p id="VQO2UZ">However, the Badgers picked up momentum as March began, and parlayed that into a strong performance in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, where they beat the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, and <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> before falling short in the championship game against the <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois Fighting Illini</a>.</p>
<p id="tDQLW5">The three wins were enough to earn them a spot in the AP Top 25, where they are one of three Big Ten teams, joining Purdue (No. 3) and Illinois (No. 10)</p>
<p id="nDuhz2">The news comes one day after the Badgers were revealed as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, pegging them against the No. 12 James Madison Dukes in the Round of 64.</p>
<p id="3AgjTX">Wisconsin earned the No. 19 overall seed in the Tournament, giving them the South region draw.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/18/24105080/wisconsin-badgers-return-to-ap-top-25-after-strong-big-ten-tournament-performance-greg-gard-aj-storrRohan Chakravarthi2024-03-18T12:13:22-05:002024-03-18T12:13:22-05:00Who are the top 3 newcomers for the Badgers in 2024?
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<figcaption>Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers brought in a haul of transfers, on top of a strong recruiting class, this offseason.</p> <p id="kYgGjf">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> are continuing to morph into a new look under the Luke Fickell Regime. The 2024-25 season will mark the first true Fickell recruiting class for the UW football program. </p>
<p id="vCZq6P">With several significant transfers and a collection of talented freshmen, there is a chance for Wisconsin to break out as the pieces start to fall into place for Luke Fickell. </p>
<p id="o755s9">Here are my top 3 newcomers for the Badger football program in 2024-25. </p>
<h2 id="BPWvUd">QB Tyler Van Dyke</h2>
<p id="4oqmIU">The quarterback transfer committed to the Badgers back in December after a 2,703-yard and 19-touchdown season with the <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com">Miami Hurricanes</a>. Van Dyke looks likely to take over the starting quarterback role in the Badger offense following the departure of Tanner Mordecai who held the position for the majority of last season. </p>
<p id="M2XrIK">Wisconsin has several different options at quarterback, such as Nick Evers, Braedyn Locke, and 2024 four-star recruit Mabrey Mettauer. While this means that there could be a spring battle at the quarterback position, Fickell seems to be leaning toward another year of development for the younger options. </p>
<p id="QM7Uhu">Van Dyke’s season highlight with Miami came in Week 2 of the season against a No. 23 <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> program. The 6’4 gun slinger threw five touchdowns and racked up 374 yards through the air. </p>
<p id="VI9On3">While the transfer’s numbers from last season with Miami will probably not jump off the page at you, he has shown signs of elite performance and seems to be a good fit for the Phil Longo air raid offense. </p>
<h2 id="IsXkYc">LB Tackett Curtis </h2>
<p id="TlMl1T">Tackett Curtis is a four-star linebacker who joined the team back in January as a transfer from USC. As a freshman, Curtis showed potential with 40 tackles and two sacks. </p>
<p id="Kbec6s">Curtis is one of several linebacker transfers that the Badgers have added, but easily is the most anticipated. Curtis was ranked No. 9 in his class nationally out of high school and was the highest-ranked linebacker in the portal before his commitment to Wisconsin. </p>
<p id="8tM33z">With USC’s entrance to the Big Ten, Curtis will go up against his former team early in the Badgers’ Big Ten season opener on Sep. 28. </p>
<h2 id="sd1b6L">TE Grant Stec </h2>
<p id="OJuSei">Following the graduation of Wisconsin’s leading tight end Hayden Rucci, the Badgers will add two tight end recruits to the 2024-25 roster. Grant Stec is a consensus four-star out of Algonquin, Illinois. </p>
<p id="5Zt2Xa">Stec already has the size of a D1 tight end at 6’6 245 after putting on 18 pounds following his junior season. Tucker Ashcraft will likely be the primary target for Van Dyke at the position, but Stec’s size will make him an effective blocker. </p>
<p id="FDtLag">The addition of Stec along with Rob Booker II from Waunakee will add depth to a position room that has been lacking in recent seasons for the Badgers.</p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-football/2024/3/18/24104987/who-are-the-top-3-newcomers-for-wisconsin-badgers-in-2024-tyler-van-dyke-tackett-curtis-luke-fickellRottierMJ2024-03-18T10:41:06-05:002024-03-18T10:41:06-05:00How the Badgers backup big men have been vital in filling their roles
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Second Round-Maryland vs Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZLGCFIDvHjLntTRT8MSGuilxjP0=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213523/usa_today_22773035.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Wisconsin has gotten some much-needed depth in their frontcourt this season.</p> <p id="rBYfOR">Last season, it was no secret that the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> needed depth in the frontcourt, so much to the point that head coach Greg Gard openly acknowledged that was a necessity to fill in the offseason.</p>
<p id="BcHmjR">In picking up A.J. Storr from the transfer portal, the Badgers were able to fill a part of that void, but freshman big Nolan Winter has also been a big addition, providing Wisconsin with the backup center that they didn’t have last season.</p>
<p id="fQrmc1">The increased depth has allowed Wisconsin to experiment with rotations, rather than being forced to go smaller with their second team, helping stabilize the minutes when either Steven Crowl or Tyler Wahl are out of action.</p>
<p id="40BMdk">With Winter in the fold as an immediate impact at center, Carter Gilmore returned to the power forward spot, where he’s a more natural fit, working in a timeshare with Markus Illver to back up Tyler Wahl.</p>
<p id="n3z9q5">Now, none of the three players have otherworldly stats; Winter leads the way with 2.6 points a contest, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from deep in 9.6 minutes of action per game.</p>
<p id="9vaoWU">Gilmore has seen 9.1 minutes of action a contest, although his playing time has slipped recently, with the Badgers opting to use Markus Illver in that role instead.</p>
<p id="yuMVuP">But, as Wisconsin has gotten deeper into the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, they’ve gotten much-needed contributions from their backup bigs, especially as Wahl deals with a nagging knee injury.</p>
<p id="yTEPKZ">On Saturday, Gilmore was unexpectedly called upon, as the Badgers had to utilize him and Illver more with Wahl not only facing the injury, but also dealing with foul trouble, landing two early in the game.</p>
<p id="dtfLBm">Gilmore ultimately played 18 minutes, while Illver saw 10 minutes of action as well during the overtime contest.</p>
<p id="dAhWwt">The former’s impact was especially felt in the second half where he knocked down a three-pointer and dove on the ball for a much-needed steal in four minutes of action, playing his role to a tee when called upon.</p>
<p id="SNIVN3">“I just know our guys went down and they needed me to step up,” Gilmore said after the game. “And when you’re playing these tournament games and there’s back-to-backs, everyone’s got to be ready if it’s injuries, foul trouble or anything. So just to go in there and do my role and do my job and to make a shot, too, I couldn’t ask for anything better and just got to keep being ready to play.”</p>
<p id="sggmP5">The steal came after Chucky Hepburn broke into the passing lane, deflecting the ball, which Gilmore dove on before head coach Greg Gard called timeout with 4:47 remaining and the Badgers down 1.</p>
<p id="p9KsuN">“I think I was a little late guarding my man, and Chucky came to help me out and poked it loose,” Gilmore said. “And I knew if Chucky helped me out, I had to go help him out. So the ball was loose, his man was going for it, and I knew I needed to make a play.”</p>
<p id="xRDhEZ">“Those are the kind of plays that we talked about that are going to win the game. Loose balls, 50 50 balls, and saw it out there in front. And that’s part of my job to go get it. So that’s all I did.”</p>
<p id="GxfFpI">The three-pointer came as Purdue left the Badgers forward open, prompting Gilmore to fire after an initial hesitation, sinking the key shot.</p>
<p id="mJSovV">While the forward hasn’t shot threes a ton this season, his confidence has continued to brew in practice, leading him to take and make the shot, which gave Wisconsin a 58-56 lead with 4:31 remaining in regulation.</p>
<p id="rrszvg">“I know I haven’t made a lot this year, but just being in practice and getting more shots up at practice, seeing more go through at practice kind of helped me get my confidence up,” Gilmore said. “And then just kind of how we’ve been playing. We’ve been playing more loose, more free.”</p>
<p id="f8xrwE">“When our coaches are feeding us confidence and we’re feeding confidence into each other, it just makes you go out there and play free and whether, you know, you need a bucket and you’re open, time to let it go and hope it goes in.”</p>
<p id="C65dhi">Then, in overtime, Gilmore saw his number called upon again, as Steven Crowl, Tyler Wahl, and Nolan Winter all fouled out, which meant that he needed to guard 7’4 Zach Edey with the game in the balance.</p>
<p id="6XuobC">“I just know they’re going to go to Zach Edey, especially when they see me on them,” Gilmore shared. “So just doing my best I can to force a tougher catch, to force him outside the block where he’s comfortable and just make him pass, make him uncomfortable.” </p>
<p id="zYtvJx">“And I tried to do that the best I could and I know my teammates all knew I was outmatched and they were all ready to help me and they told me that. And so that’s all we had to do and try to execute it.”</p>
<p id="qid4a0">Gilmore did pick up two fouls in the period when guarding Edey, who took eight free throws in overtime alone. But, Purdue went 0/2 in the period, which ultimately was enough for Wisconsin to skim away with the victory.</p>
<p id="xI5cuA">The forward’s performance off the bench drew praise from Gard, who pointed out the value of those extra minutes to help out the team’s best players.</p>
<p id="meYZLN">“We’re not specifically one or two people dependent in terms of production, and when you have guys either go down or banged up or we have three guys foul out, guys like Carter Gilmore that haven’t played a lot here recently in the last three weeks come in, and their minds are in the right place. That allows them to perform,” Gard said</p>
<p id="HW0oXe">“If you’re sulking and feeling sorry for yourself and, ‘why don’t I have my minutes?’ If you have mine, me, and I in your vocabulary and your thought process, you’re not going to be ready for that position when Steve fouled out. But Gilly has [done] a good job of being about the team. He always has. That allows him to come in and perform when we needed him to.”</p>
<p id="4IyRvP">The 6’7 forward wasn’t the only one tasked with filling his role, as Nolan Winter was also thrust into the fire, having to guard Zach Edey for portions of the game, including the beginning of overtime after Steven Crowl fouled out in regulation.</p>
<p id="GBceh0">While he acknowledged the nerves that came with guarding a player of Edey’s caliber, Winter also shared how those moments served as a confidence booster for him.</p>
<p id="sCpJvB">“[I was] nervous, for sure,” Winter said about picking up the Edey assignment, especially as Crowl fouled out. “But, you know, it’s what you dream of as a kid, to be out there overtime against Purdue in the semifinals. Winning that jump ball [over Zach Edey], that kind of settled me in a little bit, and it was a ton of fun to be out there with the guys in overtime for sure, and get the win.”</p>
<p id="QQaPzt">“It definitely boosts [my confidence], knowing that I can somewhat hold my own against one of the better players in college basketball history, just being that big. So all this experience I’m kind of getting against him will for sure be used to my benefit in the coming years. Playing against him in overtime, in the Big Ten semifinal, people aren’t getting that experience every day, so that’ll be huge for me.”</p>
<p id="f9UWar">For Winter, this experience is an extra special, as he’s one of the few Badgers players returning to his home state of Minnesota.</p>
<p id="FZo93I">It’s a dream come true for the Badgers center, especially with the crowd being as loud as it’s been with Wisconsin fans.</p>
<p id="LYru26">“I played here in high school once or twice, and it was fun,” Winter said about being back in Minnesota. “I mean, it’s always, I love this place, lights or something. I don’t know what it is, but it’s a great place to play.”</p>
<p id="NBAsgR">“And having a lot of Wisconsin fans here, kind of. I mean, it’s a lot of fun just to see how they travel, even to Minnesota and, yeah, I mean, it’s super fun to play in the Target Center. Especially for me, it means a little more this tournament, so especially with Tyler and Steven and Jack Janicki and all these other guys that we got from Minnesota, it means a little more for us.”</p>
<p id="7sNbzD">“The fans definitely make a difference and we feed off that. So seeing them all kind of really be supportive and loud today really does bring an extra boost. I don’t know if they really know that, but the louder they are, the more it helps us, for real. So it’s awesome to see them travel with us and support us.”</p>
<p id="dRjrFC">Winter is still learning about the college game and working into his frame, but he’s looking to take it one game at a time and continue to get better through the process.</p>
<p id="630pbn">“I think just every game I play is just a little more experience under my belt as a freshman,” Winter said. “I just think the more I play, the more comfortable I’ll be. And I’m feeling really comfortable right now throughout yesterday and today, just feeling comfortable with the ball and everything.”</p>
<p id="umIyA3">“So it’ll come with time, obviously, along with. I mean, John’s still a freshman, too, but he’s obviously legit, so, I mean, yeah, we’re all still getting comfortable out there and, yeah, it’s been fun.”</p>
<p id="n4HwNd">A part of that learning experience has been working as a center without that elite strength, which has been especially seen with Winter’s rebounding efforts.</p>
<p id="xJ5LTz">But, in what he lacks in weight, Winter looks to replace that with an edge as he attacks the rim for rebounds.</p>
<p id="dUcXZm">“For me personally, to be honest, obviously, Steve’s Steve, but when I go in there, I know I don’t have weight on anyone,” Winter acknowledged. “So, for me, it’s just kind of, go get the ball. It doesn’t matter who’s there. Go through someone. Just go get this ball for the team, because it’s do or die. So that’s really my mentality.”</p>
<p id="InsIMf">“Just go get the ball, no matter who’s in front of you. And come up with mean. Just try to come up with it. Yeah, I mean, Steven obviously’s got weight and all this experience that he’s got, so I’m just kind of going in there, flying around, throwing my body around, trying to get the ball.”</p>
<p id="ZXh40z">At the beginning of the year, the Badgers center faced some tough moments as teams targeted him in actions. But now, he’s understood what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten, which comes with being aggressive and having that edge needed as a big.</p>
<p id="oDXUNl">“I mean, beginning of the year being the first one, like, I want to just give them my all and play as hard as I can and have a, have a little edge,” Winter said. “And maybe towards the middle of the season I got kind of comfortable.” </p>
<p id="KJPbFl">“And now recently when I’m going against these big guys, I’m wasn’t okay, if you’re not going to play with an edge, you’re not going to play at all. So, I mean, just kind of getting in there, playing aggressive, and throw my body around.”</p>
<p id="3I811D">For both Winter and Gilmore, the experience overall is just a dream come true, which fuels them as they look to fill their roles on this Badger team.</p>
<p id="NbIoo9">“This is just what you dream of as a kid,” Gilmore said. “I mean, growing up in Wisconsin, content playing for the Badgers and especially in big time games like this, I mean, it’s a real dream come true. And I’m just grateful that I got this opportunity and I’m grateful that I got this team to deal with. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”</p>
<p id="AEwoCP">Now, with the Big Ten Tournament finals next, both players could be asked to step up once again in key moments, and they’re ready to embrace the challenge.</p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/17/24104064/how-wisconsin-badgers-backup-bigs-nolan-winter-carter-gilmore-have-been-vital-in-filling-their-rolesRohan Chakravarthi2024-03-18T09:30:00-05:002024-03-18T09:30:00-05:00Wrestling: NCAA announces tournament seeds, brackets
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Minnesota at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jxpgGBzQysxBukx3hDLBuVH7FYc=/849x449:3402x2151/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215312/usa_today_9719352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers are seeded across the board in the tournament.</p> <p id="x91beQ">The five <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> with slots in the NCAA Championships learned their seeds on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="Fc5tp5">NCAA brackets can be found <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/public-s3/images/2024/03/13/2024NCAAd1Wrestlingbrackets.pdf">here</a>. Did anyone get a bad seed? Let’s take a look! </p>
<p id="uaPWzj">Before getting into the good stuff, let’s go over a little on the “how” of the seeding process. FloWrestling has a great, easy <a href="https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12300802-the-7-most-surprising-ncaa-wrestling-championship-seeds">explanation</a>, along with a list of how wrestlers’ seeds compared to their ranking.</p>
<p id="bTWXVZ">The NCAA formula considers head-to-head results (25%), quality wins (20%), Coaches Ranking (15%), results against common opponents (10%), RPI (10%), conference tournament placement (10%), and win percentage (10%).</p>
<h2 id="1RXy9h">Quick commentary</h2>
<p id="becJm3">For those of you good at math, and who also <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2024/3/3/24089255/wisconsin-badgers-wrestling-breaking-down-the-ncaa-auto-bid-allocations-for-conference-tourneys?_gl=1*1e9zlb3*">remember</a> the number of auto-bid slots allocated to each conference, you will quickly realize that wrestling in the Big Ten generally places a penalty on the NCAA seeds. </p>
<p id="DPuDC1">The reason is that going against the toughest opponents during the regular season gives you more losses (i.e. hurts “win percentage”) and hurts your placement in your conference tournament (e.g. Eric Barnett is in the conversation for national champion, but his B1G tourney placement hurt his NCAA seed). </p>
<p id="mSvcqt">Your opponents also have more losses (for the same reason as you), so your RPI can suffer, too (but RPI can also actually be helped by being in the B1G). So, being a fairly big fish in a small pond is better than being the same-sized fish in a B1G pond, when it comes to NCAA seeding.</p>
<p id="3LryR4">After the calculations are complete, a committee rejiggers the seeds a little if the computer’s results don’t make sense. </p>
<p id="vU7nxH">We should also note here that, as predicted in the post-Big Ten Championships <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2024/3/12/24091338/wrestling-dean-hamiti-takes-second-at-big-ten-championship-wisconsin-nabs-podium-finish-for-five">article</a>, no Badgers picked up at-large bids (i.e. only auto-quals made it to the NCAAs).</p>
<h2 id="pIr7bH">Wisconsin’s championship wrestlers</h2>
<p id="8PdLZe"><strong>Reference</strong>: (seed) name (weight class) D1 record, first-round matchup’s (seed) name (school) D1 record</p>
<p id="l2Anbn"><strong>(5) Dean Hamiti</strong> (165 pounds) 26-2, (28) Chris Moore (<a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois</a>) 11-14</p>
<p id="s8s6IF">DJ is ranked 5 and seeded 5 (+/- 0)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dean Hamiti earns the No. 5 seed at 165 pounds at <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncaawrestling</a> Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/HamitiDean?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HamitiDean</a> opens against No. 28 Chris Moore of Illinois (11-14) <a href="https://t.co/yxvROunFOZ">pic.twitter.com/yxvROunFOZ</a></p>— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerWrestling/status/1768076156517966086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="m9irTn"><strong>(10) Eric Barnett</strong> (125 pounds) 26-6, (23) Tanner Jordan (SDSU) 24-9</p>
<p id="RMM9Dy">Eric is ranked 6 but seeded 10 (-4)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eric Barnett earns the No. 10 seed at 125 pounds in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncaawrestling</a> Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/ericbarnett1117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ericbarnett1117</a> will open against No. 23 Tanner Jordan of SDSU (24-9) <a href="https://t.co/bMGczp9IpH">pic.twitter.com/bMGczp9IpH</a></p>— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerWrestling/status/1768070623064883285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="jT2j7O"><strong>(17) Max Maylor</strong> (174 pounds) 18-7, (16) Jackson Turley (<a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a>) 15-6</p>
<p id="J9GtOV">Max is ranked 15 but seeded 17 (-2)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Maylor earns the No. 17 seed at 174 pounds at <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncaawrestling</a> Championships <a href="https://twitter.com/max_maylor10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@max_maylor10</a> opens against No. 16 Jackson Turley of Rutgers (15-6) <a href="https://t.co/Nuh8NCkmKc">pic.twitter.com/Nuh8NCkmKc</a></p>— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerWrestling/status/1768081110720721259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="0yTl41"><strong>(19) Joseph Zargo</strong> (149 pounds) 20-9, (14) Dylan D’Emilio (<a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a>) 24-11</p>
<p id="VpSqYc">Joey is ranked 19 and seeded 19 (+/- 0)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Zargo earns the No. 19 seed at 149 pounds at the <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncaawrestling</a> Championships<a href="https://twitter.com/joseph_zargo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joseph_zargo</a> opens against No. 14 Dylan D’Emilio of Ohio State (24-11) <a href="https://t.co/86rQUUJGwL">pic.twitter.com/86rQUUJGwL</a></p>— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerWrestling/status/1768073856411955345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="9Jf2Dg"><strong>(24) Shane Liegel</strong> (184 pounds) 19-12, (9) Bennett Berge (SDSU) 19-5</p>
<p id="utb7zv">Shane is ranked 21 but seeded 24 (-3)</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shane Liegel earns the No. 24 seed at 184 pounds at <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ncaawrestling</a> Championships <br><br>Shane Liegel opens against No. 9 Bennett Berge of SDSU (19-5) <a href="https://t.co/8dKxb77axl">pic.twitter.com/8dKxb77axl</a></p>— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerWrestling/status/1768081594328252670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="S1GLUS">Three of the five Badgers are seeded lower than their ranking. These are <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanVisga44262/status/1768078241632317585">not great seeds</a> for the Badgers, but it’s <a href="https://forum.wiwrestling.com/index.php?topic=60516.msg680431#msg680431">not all bad</a>, either.</p>
<p id="QE9K4W">We’ll go into matchups and projections in more detail with a preview article closer to tournament time, but if we figure everyone wrestles to seed with no bonus points scored, Wisconsin will have only one All-American and finish below Purdue and Illinois at 24th. </p>
<p id="9LNdYS">That result would validate all the pre-season worries about this year. All the successes of the regular season (tied for best-ever finish at Midlands, Liegel, and Maylor dramatically exceeding expectations, Barnett and Hamiti reaching career-high rankings and being in the national champ discussion for their weight classes, etc.) would be forgotten and a cloud of doom would form over the coach (i.e. not only a vocal minority who’ve been calling for his head).</p>
<p id="BIZsvp">On the bright side, the seeds set a pretty low expectation bar that our guys should be able to exceed (hey, I’m not great at spin - I’ll try harder in the preview article).</p>
<p id="C3Kas8">The <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-03-13/2024-ncaa-di-wrestling-brackets-preview-every-weight-class">NCAA Championships </a>will be held in <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri</a> March 21-23.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2024/3/18/24100506/wisconsin-badgers-wrestling-ncaa-announces-tournament-seeds-brackets-joseph-zargo-dean-hamitiNavy Badger2024-03-17T19:59:42-05:002024-03-17T19:59:42-05:00Tip-off time for Wisconsin’s first round NCAA Tournament matchup revealed
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gnH0RvCs8JbsR2qlTHSNI5PR97U=/0x0:4515x3010/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214191/usa_today_22801737.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers will play on Friday in their first tournament game against James Madison.</p> <p id="rfZQ0K">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> will open the NCAA Tournament with a matchup against the James Madison Dukes on Friday, with tip-off set for 9:40 P.M. ET.</p>
<p id="aylyDJ">Earning a No. 5 seed on Selection Sunday, the Badgers put together a strong week of play at the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, securing wins over the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>, <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, and the <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> to reach the finals, where they ultimately lost to the <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois Fighting Illini</a>.</p>
<p id="fF6AZf">Wisconsin is the 19th overall seed in the tournament, which earned them a No. 5 seed in the South Region.</p>
<p id="WPh6cT">They’ll now focus on a James Madison team that went 31-3 during the regular season, including 15-3 in the ASUN conference.</p>
<p id="XOGxtG">The Dukes have been a top-scoring threat all year long, putting up 84.4 points a game while shooting 48 percent and 36.5 percent from three.</p>
<p id="wTAOxZ">Wisconsin will certainly appreciate the extra day of rest after playing in four games over four days this past week. With the added day, it’ll be an extra opportunity for the team to get healthy, while they get the night slate at 9:40 P.M. ET on Friday.</p>
<p id="GItDz4">Here is the full list of times for Thursday and Friday’s games, courtesy of CBS’s Matt Norlander.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> FIRST FOUR, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NCAA TOURNAMENT TIP TIMES ARE HERE <a href="https://t.co/v19Rr4Whj8">pic.twitter.com/v19Rr4Whj8</a></p>— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattNorlander/status/1769519030270865898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/17/24104351/tip-off-time-for-wisconsin-badgers-first-round-ncaa-tournament-matchup-revealed-chucky-hepburnRohan Chakravarthi2024-03-17T18:48:57-05:002024-03-17T18:48:57-05:00Transcript: What Greg Gard said after the Badgers 93-87 loss to Illinois
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship-Wisconsin vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Tq5yixTs9Pm6KAtNMumqZZCjKME=/0x0:4883x3255/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214067/usa_today_22800840.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers head coach broke down the team’s loss in the finals on Sunday.</p> <p id="4nbWu0">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> lost to the <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> 93-87 in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> finals, falling short in an offensive showdown to snap their three-game winning streak.</p>
<p id="IHu9Ah">After the game, head coach Greg Gard and guards A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn spoke with the media, breaking down his team’s efforts in the close victory.</p>
<p id="KsBKI0"><strong>Opening Statement</strong></p>
<p id="VVfb84"><strong>GREG GARD:</strong> First of all, congratulations to Illinois. I thought this was a terrific college basketball game, as it should be in March. It came down to a play here, a play there, a rebound here, a rebound there. </p>
<p id="ZgyIY4">But I’m so proud of these two guys to my right and the other 15 guys in that locker room. We’re leaving here today a much better team than when we came in on Wednesday and started this tournament on Thursday. </p>
<p id="u7BZaI">We got to the game we wanted to get to, and we were able to completely get across the finish line, but it doesn’t diminish the pride I have in these guys and how they’ve committed and grown over the last — you know, this whole season actually. </p>
<p id="hsBRvn">It stings. It hurts because it’s one we wanted obviously and it was one of our goals. But as I told them in the locker room, we put ourselves in position, so we have more basketball. We’ll take the thing we learned through this week, which were many, and way more positives than negatives. Like I said, we’re a better team walking out of here today than we were when we showed up on Thursday. </p>
<p id="rgB6iJ">I’m looking forward to these guys having more ball coming up this next week in the tournament.</p>
<p id="9hQ5aZ"><strong>Q. A.J., Coach kind of mentioned how you guys have grown throughout the year. How do you feel your game has grown over the course of the season and especially recently? </strong></p>
<p id="6gKB8a"><strong>A.J. STORR:</strong> I think just being on the same page with my guys out there, like helping me a lot. Defensively I think I improved a little. The guys are motivating me to be a better defensive player, and I’m buying into it. Just looking forward to playing some more games. </p>
<p id="FqQV6m"><strong>Q. Chucky, obviously the issue over the course of this second half of the season has been defense. Do you feel like it’s not necessarily indicative of some of the problems you guys have, but it’s just they made more of the shots and made some of the plays they needed to? </strong></p>
<p id="ZKC8Fo"><strong>CHUCKY HEPBURN: </strong>Made some tough shots, got offensive rebounds, second-chance points. That’s what we need to fix in March Madness in order to advance. We’ve got to do the little things to win games like that. </p>
<p id="BPSnc5"><strong>Q. Greg, you kind of alluded to it, but I guess what were you hoping to build with this week? How close do you feel you came to what you were trying to get out of this week? </strong></p>
<p id="9H99JR"><strong>GREG GARD:</strong> Trying to get a championship this week. That’s what we were working towards. Like I said before, we’re better today than we were at the start of the tournament when we landed on Wednesday. Now we get to go chase another championship. </p>
<p id="m8z0oQ">68 of us — or 64 of us at least with the play-in games — will start on the same starting block. One game at a time. You’ve got to get six. I liked what I saw. We’re primed and ready to go now. </p>
<p id="QCgNKO">Like I said, you want to be playing your best basketball in March, and we are. Looking forward to these guys getting more opportunities to go show how good they are.</p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-mens-basketball/2024/3/17/24104339/transcript-what-greg-gard-said-after-wisconsin-badgers-93-87-loss-to-illinois-fighting-illiniRohan Chakravarthi