Where the Badgers stand in the latest Big Ten Tournament projections

The Wisconsin Badgers are just two games away from postseason play, finishing up the regular season against the Maryland Terrapins and the Purdue Boilermakers this week.

Heading into the final weeks of the season, the Badgers had been on a nice streak, getting back into the race for a coveted top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which gives teams a triple bye and decreases the number of games needed to win the trophy.

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However, Wisconsin had two costly losses in the last two weeks, falling short on the road against the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks. That put them in a tough position with their Big Ten seeding, and they didn’t get much help from the other top teams in the conference this weekend.

Heading into the final week, here’s what the top of the Big Ten looks like, with their conference records in parentheses:

1. Michigan (17-1)

2. Nebraska (14-4)

3. Michigan State (14-4)

4. Illinois (13-5)

5. Purdue (12-6)

6. Wisconsin (12-6)

7. UCLA (11-7)

At the moment, the possibilities are endless for the Badgers. With some big-time help, the Badgers can get as high as No. 3 (although that looks highly unlikely at the moment), but can also slide as low as No. 7 with a pair of losses.

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Last week, we shared some of the top scenarios for Wisconsin to get a top-four seed, which primarily revolved around the results of Michigan State and Purdue. While the Boilermakers lost to Michigan State and Ohio State, the Spartans won their two games and now stand two games up on the Badgers with two to go.

In the final week of the regular season, Michigan State faces 12-17 Rutgers at home and No. 3 Michigan on the road. To eclipse the Spartans, the Badgers need them to lose both games.

However, another avenue for a top-four seed opened up as Illinois lost games to UCLA and Michigan last week. That marked their fourth loss in six games. But the Fighting Illini face the 11-18 Oregon Ducks at home and the 11-18 Maryland Terrapins on the road to end the year. Wisconsin needs Illinois to lose at least one of those to have a chance at a top four seed.

Of course, none of this matters if Wisconsin isn’t able to beat Purdue on the road in addition to Maryland at home.

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While Wisconsin could tie Nebraska in conference record at 14-4 if the Cornhuskers lose to both Iowa and UCLA this week, Nebraska holds the tiebreakers in every scenario, so Wisconsin’s ceiling is the No. 3 seed in the conference, with a likelihood that they’d be at No. 4 if they earn a double-bye.

Right now, the likeliest method to a top-four seed is looking for an Illinois loss, while winning out this week.

But, if the Badgers cannot get a top-four seed, they will play on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament next week and will need to win four games in four days to win it all. So, there’s a lot at stake in the final week of the Big Ten.