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Bilas Ranks Wisconsin Badgers Outside Top 30 in College Basketball
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas believes the Badgers are not a top-tier team this season despite their recent success.
Feb. 19, 2026 at 6:31am
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ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas has ranked the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 37 in his latest Bilas Index, putting them outside his top 30 teams in the country. This comes despite the Badgers' recent wins over top-10 opponents Illinois and Michigan State, which have helped them climb back into the AP Top 25 poll.
Why it matters
Bilas is a respected voice in college basketball analysis, so his assessment of the Badgers carries significant weight. Wisconsin has been a consistent contender in the Big Ten in recent years, so Bilas’ ranking suggests the Badgers may not be among the nation’s elite teams this season despite their recent success.
The details
The Badgers have won nine of their last 11 games, including three victories over top-10 opponents. However, Bilas believes there are several other teams ranked ahead of Wisconsin, including SMU, St. Mary’s, Indiana, Georgia, UCLA, Texas, and Auburn – none of which are currently ranked in the AP Top 25. Bilas praised the Badgers’ veteran backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who are both averaging career-high scoring numbers.
- The Badgers jumped back into the AP Top 25 this week at No. 24.
- Wisconsin last ranked in the AP Top 25 back in Week 4.
The players
Jay Bilas
An ESPN college basketball analyst who ranked the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 37 in his latest Bilas Index, putting them outside his top 30 teams in the country.
Nick Boyd
A veteran guard for the Wisconsin Badgers, averaging a career-high 20.6 points per game.
John Blackwell
A veteran guard for the Wisconsin Badgers, averaging a career-high 19.0 points per game.
What they’re saying
“Wisconsin proved its potential when it handed Michigan its first loss of the season in Ann Arbor on Jan. 10. Now back-to-back victories at Illinois (in overtime) and against Michigan State have been impactful reminders.”
— Jay Bilas, ESPN College Basketball Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
The Badgers will likely be favored in every game until they face the Purdue Boilermakers on the road to end the season, giving them an opportunity to continue building their resume and potentially move up in the rankings.
The takeaway
Bilas’ ranking of the Badgers outside the top 30 teams in the country suggests Wisconsin may not be among the nation’s elite this season, despite their recent success and climb back into the AP Top 25. The Badgers will have a chance to prove Bilas wrong as they finish the season with a favorable schedule.
