Wisconsin Basketball Predicted to Finish 11th

A recent Big Ten media poll placed the Badgers in 11th place among 18 conference teams for the upcoming season.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball

Wisconsin Basketball Predicted to Finish 11th

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The unofficial Big Ten preseason media poll has projected an 11th-place finish for the Wisconsin men's basketball team. This forecast follows a period of significant roster turnover for the Madison program.

Why it matters

The team faces challenges after losing key contributors to graduation and the transfer portal, necessitating the integration of eight newcomers. The preseason ranking reflects uncertainty regarding how the new roster will perform in the expanded Big Ten conference.

The poll included input from 28 reporters and reflects a lower expectation than the 2025-26 preseason ranking, where the team was placed 7th. Meanwhile, Nolan Winter enters the season after a junior campaign featuring 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

The players

Nolan Winter

He is a standout forward who earned a spot on the preseason all-Big Ten second team.

The Columbus Dispatch

This news organization has been the primary organizer of the unofficial Big Ten preseason media poll for the past decade.

The details

The Columbus Dispatch conducted the poll, continuing a tradition that has spanned 10 years. Wisconsin enters the 2026-27 season with a 14-player roster that must compensate for the loss of players like Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.

Wisconsin finished fifth in the conference during the 2025-26 season.
The 2026-27 season is the upcoming period for Big Ten competition.
Results of the preseason media poll were published on October 5, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The preseason media poll places Wisconsin well below its 2025-26 finish of 5th place, signaling a potential shift in the program's competitive standing. This ranking adds pressure on the coaching staff to accelerate the development of a roster that now features eight new players.

Nolan Winter is expected to be a primary statistical contributor, coming off a junior season with 12 double-doubles. The team's 11th-place projection suggests a difficult road to qualifying for high-tier postseason tournaments compared to their standing a year ago.

The takeaway

The low preseason ranking highlights the volatility inherent in college basketball programs dealing with high turnover. Fans should watch how quickly the new roster chemistry develops early in the non-conference schedule.