Badgers’ 2026-27 Roster Preview: Offseason Drama Ahead
Wisconsin basketball faces major turnover after losing three seniors and awaiting decisions from two star juniors. With the transfer portal opening April 7, coach Greg Gard must refill holes at guard and frontcourt. Incoming freshmen Jackson Ball and LaTrevion Fenderson join unproven depth at point and wing. The frontcourt could return intact if Nolan Winter stays, alongside Austin Rapp and Aleksas Bieliauskas. Key transfer targets include Jack Janicki, Hayden Jones, Riccardo Greppi, and Will Garlock. Projections place two transfers at each guard spot and a stable power forward/center duo of Bieliauskas and Winter.
Welcome to “Basketball Mad Libs: Offseason Edition.” Imagine spending months drafting a roster, only to have half your parts portal bail faster than a sinking ship. It’s like building IKEA furniture blindfolded—painful, inconsistent, and prone to missing screws. Meanwhile, Wisconsin fans will pretend they signed top-tier guards while scrambling for anyone whose highlight reel doesn’t involve tripping over the baseline. Tune in next spring when reality TV meets college hoops, complete with dramatic departure montages and tearful press conferences. At least the table charts are pretty.
Top 5 Badger Houdinis: Who’s Disappearing Into the Portal?
After an early tournament exit, Wisconsin hoops players are eyeing the transfer portal. At greatest risk is junior forward Riccardo Greppi, buried at 1.3 minutes per game amid a crowded frontcourt. Senior guard John Blackwell, a 19.1-point scorer, could cash in elsewhere if he forgoes the NBA. Juniors Jack Robison and Will Garlock face looming competition from incoming wings and returning frontcourt staples. Even 7-footer Nolan Winter might be lured by bigger offers. The portal window runs April 7–21, promising a frenzy of departures.
Breaking news: Wisconsin athletics has announced that their roster is, in fact, a revolving door. In a bold PR move, each exit will be accompanied by a choreographed dance number—because why not lean into the chaos? Greppi will pirouette out, Blackwell will mic-drop, and Winter will strut through the tunnel like it’s Fashion Week. Meanwhile, coach Gard will stand in front of a green screen pretending he’s unbothered, hurling platitudes about “growth opportunities.” Stay tuned for the ultimate reality show: “The Real Pivots of Madison.”
Bracket Reveal Bonanza: Men’s Hockey Selection Show
Wisconsin men’s hockey clinched its 28th NCAA Tournament berth under coach Mike Hastings. Despite an early Big Ten exit, an ECAC upset secured their at-large bid. On Sunday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. CT, ESPNU will reveal the 16-team bracket to regional sites in Albany, Sioux Falls, Loveland, and Worcester. Regional semifinals run March 26–27, with finals March 28–29. Successful teams advance to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas April 9 (semis) and April 11 (championship).
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a bracket reveal into a three-hour contact sport, here’s your chance. Expect analysts to use obscure metrics like “glide path consistency” and “puck aura” to justify team seeds. Camera cuts will linger uncomfortably on fans wearing foam fingers and novelty hats, while commentators debate whose goalie mask design is more “intimidating.” And don’t forget the production segment showing a zamboni carving artful patterns in the ice, because what’s a selection show without an impromptu ice-dancing interlude?
Championship Face-Off: Badgers vs. Buckeyes Live Guide
Ohio State (36-4-0) and Wisconsin (34-4-2) face off for the NCAA women’s hockey title at Pegula Ice Arena, Penn State, on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. CT. Both teams have dominated the Frozen Four, combining for eight titles since 2019. ESPNU will broadcast with John Buccigross, AJ Mleczko, and Madison Packer; radio coverage on 1070 AM The Game. Trophy presentation on ESPN+ follows the final whistle.
Brace yourselves for the ultimate mid-March showdown where the real rivalries are formed over who can pronounce “WCHA” first. Viewers will marvel at the slow-motion replays of body checks and the dramatic shot of the puck hitting the post—all while sipping lukewarm coffee at 3 p.m. on a Sunday. Expect hashtags like #GritAndGlory and #BadgersBeliebers to trend briefly before being replaced by Monday morning memes. And if you miss the game? Don’t worry, social media will recap every embarrassing slip and triumphant goal in 280 characters or less.
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