Ranking each Big Ten basketball team entering conference play
8. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin has dropped its first two games in Big Ten play but has exceeded expectations overall through the non-conference schedule. The 10-3 Badgers began the season 8-0 with impressive wins over Arizona and Pittsburgh before dropping three straight to Michigan, Marquette and Illinois. Defense and rebounding were concerns in those losses and have remained such through the first two months for Greg Gard, but the Badgers鈥� ability to score has carried them as Wisconsin averages 81.5 points per game. That鈥檚 thanks in part to John Tonje who has looked like one of the top transfers in the country, while sophomores John Blackwell and Nolan Winter have also emerged. If Wisconsin can get more consistent production from veterans like Max Klesmit and Steven Crowl, a finish in the top half of the Big Ten seems likely.
