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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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Nov 13, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team watches the Final Four banner rise before the game with the Western Illinois Leathernecs at the Kohl Center. Western Illinois defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers basketball team watches the Final Four banner rise before the game with the Western Illinois Leathernecs at the Kohl Center. Western Illinois defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

2013 – 2016: The Peak of Tournament Success

2013-2014: 30-8 (12-6  Big Ten), Final Four

As those rising stars mentioned earlier picked up another year of experience, Wisconsin became one of the best teams in the country in ’13-14. The team finished second in the Big Ten and with quality wins aplenty, were selected to be a two seed in March Madness. And from there, the Badgers took off. They went through American, Oregon, and Baylor before matching up with Arizona in the Elite Eight. This was their first Elite Eight appearance since ’04-05, but this time they came out on top in overtime, sending Wisconsin to their second Final Four of the century, where they lost to Kentucky.

2014-2015: 36-4 (16-2 Big Ten), National Championship Game

And the success didn’t stop there. After bringing back the majority of talent from a season ago, the Badgers build on their Final Four run for a more special one in ’14-15. Behind Player of the Year (and NBA first round pick) Frank Kaminsky was another first round pick in Sam Dekker, not to mention the sensational sophomores Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes. There were high expectations entering the season and they lived up to them, dominating the competition. After winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament, the Badgers were awarded a one seed in the Big Dance. From there they went through both Oregon and Arizona again on their way to their second straight Final Four appearance, where they met undefeated Kentucky (who knocked them out the year prior). Yet, Kaminsky went for a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds to hand Kentucky their first loss and send Wisconsin to just its second ever National Championship Game (1941 previously). They were unsuccessful in winning the title as Jahlil Okafor and Duke took that from them, but it was the greatest season Wisconsin has ever had.

2015-2016: 22-13 (12-6 Big Ten), Sweet 16

After making the Final Four in back-to-back seasons, Bo Ryan retired at the beginning of the ’15-16 season, leaving his longtime assistant Greg Gard to be the interim head coach. Kaminsky, Traevon Jackson, Duje Dukan, and Josh Gasser all graduated in addition to Sam Dekker leaving early for the NBA, making the ’15-16 Badgers all about the juniors Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig, and the outstanding freshman big man Ethan Happ. The transition period got off to a little bit of a rocky start, but with a great finish to the regular season, Wisconsin once again made the NCAA Tournament, this time as a seven seed. But, they still made their mark on March by knocking off the two seed Xavier to reach the Sweet Sixteen thanks to “Klutch Koenig.”

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