After the Purdue and Iowa losses, did you think this was possible? After the Brad Davison suspension heading into the Michigan State game, did you think this was possible? After the embarrassing loss at Minnesota, did you think this was possible? By “this,” I am referring to the goal of every Wisconsin basketball team before a season begins: getting a top-four seed at the Big Ten Tournament, which carries a double bye.
Wisconsin, believe it or not, has a very good chance of hunting down this prize.
Don’t look now, but Michigan State has lost four out of its last five games and still has to make road trips to the two best teams in the Big Ten, Maryland and Penn State.
Don’t look now, but Illinois has lost four in a row, and star Ayo Dosunmu is injured.
Don’t look now, but Iowa is dealing with even more injuries and was down to six scholarship players this past Thursday against Indiana.
Don’t look now, but Rutgers still has just one win away from home and will likely have to win a few roadies to get a top-four seed at the Big Ten Tournament.
Wisconsin — with a schedule heavily tilted to home games the next few weeks (four out of the next five at the Kohl Center) — is in great position to get a top-four seed at the Big Ten Tournament. The Badgers are tied in the loss column for third place, and given the struggles of the other teams tied with UW in the loss column, the Badgers have the best circumstances (fewest injuries) and the most favorable path (home games).
Who would have thought that a few weeks ago? Life might not be perfect, but it certainly isn’t bad, in spite of all the disruptions and controversies which have surrounded the 2020 basketball Badgers. It could all be so much worse than it is now… and Wisconsin has a great chance to improve its situation in the next three weeks.