Wisconsin Badgers still have a path to a Big Ten regular season championship

The Badgers have fortified their NCAA Tournament resume and put themselves in position to for a top four finish and a double bye in next month's conference tournament in Chicago.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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With wins in nine of its last 11 games, Wisconsin still has an outside chance to win a regular season Big Ten title. The Badgers are the only team in the NCAA with 3 wins over AP Top-10 teams and have a path to winning a piece of the Big Ten regular season championship, despite sitting in a tie for fifth in the league with a 10-4 conference mark.

Why it matters

The Badgers' recent turnaround has put them in contention for a Big Ten regular season title, which would be their first since 2022. This comes after a rocky start to the season, where they had more ugly losses than quality wins in their nonconference schedule and started Big Ten play with blowout losses.

The details

Wisconsin has to play four of its last six games on the road, with three Quad-1 games, starting Tuesday at Ohio State. They also need a Michigan team that has lost once all season to lose three of its final five games, which is a long shot but no team ahead of Wisconsin has an easy finishing stretch.

  • The Badgers had completed a nonconference schedule with more ugly losses than quality wins and started conference play with an embarrassing 30-point loss at Nebraska and an uncompetitive 16-point home loss to Purdue.
  • With wins in nine of its last 11 games, Wisconsin still has an outside chance to win a regular season Big Ten title.

The players

Greg Gard

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team.

Jack Robison

A Wisconsin Badgers basketball player.

Zach Kinziger

A Wisconsin Badgers basketball player.

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What they’re saying

“Head coach Tom Izzo said the Spartans are not a great team, adding "we're only as good as we are when we're playing together and things are going our way.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.