Report: Wisconsin to offer Greg Gard long-term contract

According to a JSOnline report, Wisconsin is set to offer Greg Gard a 'long-term contract' to become the next head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team, removing his interim tag. Gard was named the interim head coach following Bo Ryan's sudden, mid-season retirement.

Under Gard, the Badgers have stepped their game up in the 2016 portion of the current season, running out to a 13-5 record under the former associate head coach, including wins over No. 4 Michigan State, No. 19 Indiana, No. 2 Maryland and No. 8 Iowa. With the recent win over Minnesota, Gard helped lead Wisconsin to their 15th consecutive top-four finish in the Big Ten with a conference record of  12-5. They're ranked No. 27 in the KenPom rankings, and are currently projected to be a No. 7 seed according to ESPN, and a No. 8 seed according to CBS Sports in the NCAA Tournament this March.

Coach Gard has been a part of the Wisconsin coaching staff since 2001 when he joined as an assistant coach. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2008. He and Ryan also coached together while at Wisconsin-Platteville and Milwaukee.