Wisconsin is the Big Ten’s best hope to end a national championship drought that extends back to 2000.
The Badgers might have their best team under longtime coach Bo Ryan, led by Sporting News Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky.
How far should you take Wisconsin in your NCAA Tournament bracket pool? Do you dare risk it all? Here are a few things you should know.
BEFORE SWEET 16
Wisconsin is a safe bet to get out of the first weekend. Don’t even think about picking against the Badgers in the second round (their first game), where they are 11-2 under Ryan.
The Badgers are 17-7 in their first two rounds since 2002, and they’ve advanced to the Sweet 16 three of the past four seasons.
For those playing against the spread, the Badgers are just 12-11-1 ATS in the first two rounds under Ryan, including an 11-8-1 record as a favorite.
More bracket advice: Play the favorites | 10 more tips
SWEET 16 AND BEYOND
The Badgers are vulnerable once they get to the Sweet 16. Wisconsin is 3-6 under Ryan in the second week of the tournament and beyond, and two of those wins came last season when the Badgers’ made the Final Four.
Another warning sign: Wisconsin is 1-2 straight up as a favorite in the Sweet 16, which includes losses to Davidson (2008) and Butler (2011). If the Badgers catch a high-mid major team in the round, there could be trouble.
As for the spread, it’s worth knowing the Badgers are 5-0-1 as underdogs ATS in the Sweet 16 or beyond, and the push was a one-point loss to Kentucky in the Final Four last season. If Wisconsin gets to the Final Four and plays as an underdog, they are a good bet to cover.
B1G TITLE HOPES?
The Big Ten is a safe bet to get one its seven Tournament entrants into the Final Four; the conference has put at least one team in that round five of the last six seasons.
The Big Ten has put six teams in the national championship since 2000, including Michigan State (2000, 2009), Indiana (2002), Illinois (2005), Ohio State (2007) and Michigan (2013). The Spartans last closed the deal with a national title in 2000.
Will Wisconsin break that streak? If the Badgers can navigate past the second weekend, it’s possible, and they are an excellent cover as an underdog when/if that happens. Just be aware of a potential landmine in the Sweet 16, where Ryan is just 2-4. If you mark the Badgers for an early exit, that’s the round to do it.
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