Wisconsin climbs back into latest AP Top 25 poll

After three straight wins, the Wisconsin Badgers find themselves back in the AP Top 25 poll.

The Badgers spent seven straight weeks in the top 25 in the middle portion of the season, but fell out of the poll after losing four of five in early January. However, it appears they have gotten through the rough patch of the season after winning three straight conference games including an upset of now-No. 5 Michigan.

The Wolverines are the highest-ranked Big Ten team in this week’s release, with in-state rival Michigan State trailing them by just one spot at No. 6.

After knocking off Michigan State, Purdue sits at No. 17.

Maryland had the biggest drop of any team, falling eight spots to No. 22 after an 11-point loss to Illinois at home.

The Badgers then round out the rankings at No. 24, with Iowa and Nebraska sitting just outside the polls. With Nebraska, Maryland, Michigan, and Michigan State all on the schedule in the next five games, the Badgers should have plenty of opportunities to pick up some quality wins and improve their résumé.

Wisconsin’s non-conference opponents are also helping, as Virginia and Marquette both now sit in the top 10. While no loss is great, some are better than others, and the Badgers have two quality losses to the aforementioned teams. NC State also remained in the rankings just in front of the Badgers at No. 23. With a plethora of quality wins and quality losses, the Badgers have rightfully found their way back into the polls as they continue to build toward March.