Busting Brackets
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Wisconsin Basketball: A look at the Badgers’ success this century

By Lukas Harkins

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players run on the court after the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wisconsin won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players run on the court after the 2015 NCAA Men's Division I Championship semi-final game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wisconsin won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) reacts to a call during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeat the Mavericks 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) reacts to a call during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeat the Mavericks 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2001 – 2004: Enter Bo Ryan and Devin Harris…

2001-2002: 19-13 (11-5 Big Ten), Second Round

In the first season of head coach Bo Ryan, the Badgers secured a tie for the Big Ten regular season title even though they went just 8-8 outside of the conference. Led by the freshmen Devin Harris and Mike Wilkinson, along with junior guard Kirk Penney, Wisconsin entered the tournament as an eight seed once again, hoping for another Cinderella run. This time, however, they were ousted by the one seed, Maryland.

2002-2003: 24-8 (12-4 Big Ten), Sweet 16

Building off the tie for the Big Ten title, the trio of Harris, Wilkinson, and Penney made the Badgers the outright winners in ’02-03. The Badgers also added talented freshman Alando Tucker, who made an immediate impact, scoring 12.0 points per game. They entered the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season as a five seed and made it to the Sweet 16, the furthest they had been since the Final Four in ’99-00. They were knocked out there by the Keith Bogans-led Kentucky Wildcats.

2003-2004: 25-7 (12-4 Big Ten), Second Round

This was the last season for Devin Harris, who declared for the NBA Draft (he was selected 5th overall), but he made it a special one. With his 19.5 points per game, he was recognized as a second-team All-American and took the Badgers took a second place finish in the conference. Alando Tucker was expected to take another step in his progression, but he was injured early and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Yet, Wisconsin was awarded a six seed and avoided the first round upset by taking down 11-seed Richmond before falling to the three seed, Pittsburgh.

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