Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket as Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) defends during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket as Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) defends during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Wisconsin Badgers

2015-16 record: 22-13 , 12-6 in Big Ten, reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Head coach: Greg Gard

Notable departures: None

Notable returnees: Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ, Bronson Koenig, Vitto Brown, Zak Showalter, Jordan Hill, Khalil Iverson, Alex Illikainen, Charles Thomas IV

Notable newcomers: Non-ranked SF Aleem Ford, non-ranked PG D’Mitrik Trice, redshirt freshman Brevin Pritzl, sophomore Andy Van Vliet (sat out last season)

A familiar team looks to be primed for the Big Ten title this season. The Badgers return over 95 percent of their production from last season and their coaching situation is settled after retaining interim-coach Greg Gard. Their starting lineup possesses scoring, shooting, experience, rebounding and the ability to play inside-and-out.

Individually, senior forward Nigel Hayes looks to have a massive year. He struggled with efficiency at times last season, but all the signs point to him averaging 16-to-18 points per game in 2016-17. Fellow big man Ethan Happ was impressive as a freshman, and looks to be seen as one of the best big men in the Big Ten.

In the backcourt, senior guards Zak Showalter and Bronson Koenig are back for what seems like their 8th year. Koenig, in particular, is primed for a nice campaign after becoming more comfortable as a main option as last year went along.

Next: Georgetown's Bradley Hayes is out for four games

If this Wisconsin team feels familiar, it’s because they are like many of the Bo Ryan teams of the past. They are not going to make mistakes and are sound in every phase of the game. They may not be the most exciting top-10 team in the country, but they are really good and have a legitimate chance to go to the Final Four.

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