This story was updated to change a photo.
For the first time, a Wisconsin coach has been immortalized in the Kohl Center rafters.
That is program legend Bo Ryan, who was honored with a ceremony at halftime of the Badgers’ matchup against the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Friday.
Ryan and the rest of Wisconsin’s 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams were honored as the 2024-25 team battled the Wildcats — a team that lost to Wisconsin during each of those Final Four runs. The occasion was the 10-year anniversary of the first run, as well as Ryan being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Ryan’s name now hangs in the rafters alongside program legends Frank Kaminsky, Michael Finley and Ab Nicholas.
The banner only includes his name and his coaching tenure — both assistant and head coach. An expansion to include career honors, records and awards would stretch far past the allotted length.
Ryan’s Hall of Fame career includes a 394-157 overall record (364-130 at Wisconsin), three Big Ten tournament titles, four Big Ten regular season titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 seasons, four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and, as highlighted, those two Final Four runs in 2014 and 2015.
He was the driving force behind the most successful run in Wisconsin basketball history.
Wisconsin now returns for the second half looking to repeat Ryan’s success against the Wildcats. The Badgers built a 55-44 halftime lead in what was a high-flying opening period.
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