Where Wisconsin basketball sits in Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN bracketology update
Wisconsin basketball (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten) rose to the No. 2 seed line in Joe Lunardi’s ESPN bracketology update on Friday.
The Badgers’ latest move comes three days after their dominant home win over an injury-plagued Illinois squad on Tuesday. As Wisconsin experienced following Feb. 15’s win over No. 7 Purdue, the victory prompted a major shift in several key ranking metrics. UW now sits at No. 7 in KenPom with the nation’s No. 6-ranked offense, plus is up to No. 11 in the NCAA NET Rankings.
The Badgers also sit ranked No. 11 in the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Sports Coaches Polls. That position could rise further with a win over Oregon on Saturday.
Lunardi currently ranks the Badgers as the No. 7 overall team in the nation, slotted behind only Auburn, Alabama, Duke, Florida, Houston and Iowa State. UW leapfrogged both Tennessee and Texas A&M after its win over the Fighting Illini. The recent seeding jump is a significant development. Just six days ago, Wisconsin was projected as a No. 4 seed and the No. 14 overall team in the country.
Here is how Lunardi’s full Feb. 21 bracket panned out:
- East: No. 1 Duke (No. 3 overall), No. 2 Tennessee, No. 3 Texas Tech, No. 4 Purdue
- West: No. 1 Florida (No. 4 overall), No. 2 Iowa State, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Michigan
- Midwest: No. 1 Alabama (No. 2 overall), No. 2 Wisconsin, No. 3 Arizona, No. 4 St. John’s
- South: No. 1 Auburn (No. 1 overall) No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Kentucky, No. 4 Michigan State
If Wisconsin defeats Oregon on Saturday in Madison, Gard’s group could see a further shift in Lunardi’s next bracket projection. Oregon is ranked No. 32 in the NCAA NET, making Saturday’s game a Quad 2 matchup for the Badgers. A triumph would mark the team’s 15th combined Quad 1 or 2 win this season.
Wisconsin and Oregon will tip off at noon ET, 11:00 a.m. CT on Fox.
