The Wisconsin Badgers entered the 2025-26 college basketball season ranked 24th in the AP Poll. But they are no longer ranked in that poll — and in at least another one.
In the latest edition of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll released on Monday, the Badgers found themselves outside of the Top 25.
For what it’s worth, the Badgers received four votes. For comparison, the Georgia Bulldogs received 43 votes but did not make the Top 25 either.
The Michigan Wolverines and the Arizona Wildcats are the No. 1 and No. 2 programs in the poll, respectively, while the Duke Blue Devils are No. 3. They are followed by the Iowa State Cyclones at No. 4, while the UConn Huskies round out the top five.
Wisconsin basketball needs bigger wins to boost its March Madness resume
The Badgers didn’t give their resume a shot in the arm when they suffered an embarrassing 90-60 road loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers last Wednesday. On the season, Wisconsin is 7-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. The Badgers are also 0-2 against AP Poll-ranked programs.
The good news for Wisconsin, which is also 0-2 in Quadrant 1 games and 2-1 in Quadrant 2 contests, is that there are still plenty of chances for it to score big wins.
While a win this coming Friday in a Milwaukee Hoops Showdown game at Fiserv Forum against the Villanova Wildcats would barely move the needle, a loss against the Big East program would harm Wisconsin’s March Madness stock.
After that, Wisconsin faces the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Milwaukee Panthers for the final two games on the Badgers’ 2025 schedule. Wisconsin then returns to action in 2026 with a tough assignment versus the Purdue Boilermakers at home. on Jan. 3.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
