Wisconsin's Sweet 16 Push Soars Sharply at Championships!

Wisconsin forward Austin Rapp (22) shoots a 3-pointer against Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at United Center in Chicago on Saturday, March 14, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images A Yaxel Lendeborg three-point shot near the buzzer proved to be the difference between the 23rd-ranked Wisconsin Badgers and the third-ranked Michigan Wolverines, with Michigan winning 68-65.

With the win, Michigan moves on to the Big Ten tournament championship game, where they look to repeat as champions. For the Badgers, it’s a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking loss after making another 15-point second-half comeback against a top-ten Big Ten opponent. While disappointment is understandable, there was much to like about Saturday’s performance .

This team now gets to find out who they will face in the NCAA tournament and where they will play. Unlike last season, the Badgers will get an additional day of rest before March Madness and should have Nolan Winter in the starting lineup for the first round. Wisconsin appears to be a 5-seed in some Bracketology projections.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Badgers in a 5-12 matchup with High Point out in Portland as of Sunday morning. CBS Bracket projections also have Wisconsin as a five-seed facing MAC tournament champion Akron in the West region. One final projection from Fox Sports’ Mike DeCourcy has the Badgers facing Southland tournament champion McNeese State in the South Region as of Saturday afternoon.