Open Jim: Who's the X-factor for Wisconsin men's basketball? JIM POLZIN Feb 11, 2025 Feb 11, 2025 Updated Aug 22, 2025 × The Badgers did a lot of rebuilding this summer. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard breaks down how the team has developed cohesion so quickly. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Today’s Open Jim mailbag question comes from @ksagendo on X:kAmk6>m%9:D W&?:G6CD:EJ @7 (:D4@?D:? >6?’D 32D<6E32==X E62> D66>D E@ 92G6 E96 >2<:?8D @7 2 $H66E `e CF? @C >@C6 — H9:49 A=2J6C 5@ J@F D66 ?665D E@ 36 E96 >2:? C62D@? 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FA 2D 2 E62> — E92E 42? 96=A E9:D 8C@FA 8@ 7C@> 8@@5 E@ C62==J 8@@5]k^Am kAmq=24<H6== :D E96 )\724E@C[ :? >J @A:?:@?]k^Am Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story How Wisconsin men's basketball's 'chemistry' shined vs. Iowa The Badgers did a lot of rebuilding this summer. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard breaks down how the team has developed cohesion so quickly. Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball upsets Purdue on the road The 16th-ranked Badgers upset No. 7 Purdue on the road Saturday, rallying behind John Tonje and a strong supporting cast. Wisconsin men's basketball needed to 'compete,' and final stretch vs. Iowa showed how good that could be A two-game sweep didn't come easy, but the Badgers showed some growth in the road victory. Polzin: Why 'chatter don't matter' to Wisconsin men's basketball team The Badgers have exceeded preseason expectations in the Big Ten this season. The latest example of that was a convincing win over the conferen… Wisconsin men's basketball rises in AP rankings again after another strong week The Badgers have won three-straight games headed into one of their biggest games of the season. 3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's road win against Iowa The Badgers had to battle much more than in the teams' last meeting, but still picked up an important victory in Iowa City. Polzin: Wisconsin men's basketball has chances to improve already solid NCAA Tournament profile The Badgers are projected as high as a No. 3 seed with four weeks remaining until Selection Sunday. A trip to Milwaukee for the opening weeken… Inside Ricardo Hallman's return to Wisconsin football: 'It think it's the smartest decision' With news from the transfer portal being important in the offseason, the retaining of an All-American player may just be the biggest roster ne… Sophomore experiencing growing pains, and triumphs, of Wisconsin men's basketball stardom John Blackwell has looked elite at times this season, but before Saturday's win over Iowa, encountered a difficult stretch. The sophomore has … Carter Gilmore's journey from uncertainty to 'joy' with Wisconsin men's basketball The Badgers senior forward’s fear once held him back on the court. But in the best season of his career, he’s playing free and contributing in… Open Jim: Can Wisconsin men's basketball keep its young standouts? BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his mailbag. What to know about Wisconsin men's basketball's opponent, Purdue Notes on the Boilermakers as the Badgers prepare for one of their biggest road matchups of the season. 3 things that stood out in Wisconsin women's basketball's loss to No. 22 Michigan State The Badgers lost their 12th game in 13, never putting up much of a fight in a conference battle in East Lansing. Wisconsin men's basketball loses key backup, gains another as walk-on guard breaks out Redshirt freshman guard Jack Janicki stepped up like he hadn't before when thrust into a backup point guard role with senior guard Kamari McGe… Wisconsin men's basketball re-reveals another 'weapon' with an added component Steven Crowl has been able to play well without scoring for the Badgers. He showed the scoring against Illinois, which is just another way Wis…
How Wisconsin men's basketball's 'chemistry' shined vs. Iowa The Badgers did a lot of rebuilding this summer. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard breaks down how the team has developed cohesion so quickly.
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball upsets Purdue on the road The 16th-ranked Badgers upset No. 7 Purdue on the road Saturday, rallying behind John Tonje and a strong supporting cast.
Wisconsin men's basketball needed to 'compete,' and final stretch vs. Iowa showed how good that could be A two-game sweep didn't come easy, but the Badgers showed some growth in the road victory.
Polzin: Why 'chatter don't matter' to Wisconsin men's basketball team The Badgers have exceeded preseason expectations in the Big Ten this season. The latest example of that was a convincing win over the conferen…
Wisconsin men's basketball rises in AP rankings again after another strong week The Badgers have won three-straight games headed into one of their biggest games of the season.
3 things that stood out from Wisconsin men's basketball's road win against Iowa The Badgers had to battle much more than in the teams' last meeting, but still picked up an important victory in Iowa City.
Polzin: Wisconsin men's basketball has chances to improve already solid NCAA Tournament profile The Badgers are projected as high as a No. 3 seed with four weeks remaining until Selection Sunday. A trip to Milwaukee for the opening weeken…
Inside Ricardo Hallman's return to Wisconsin football: 'It think it's the smartest decision' With news from the transfer portal being important in the offseason, the retaining of an All-American player may just be the biggest roster ne…
Sophomore experiencing growing pains, and triumphs, of Wisconsin men's basketball stardom John Blackwell has looked elite at times this season, but before Saturday's win over Iowa, encountered a difficult stretch. The sophomore has …
Carter Gilmore's journey from uncertainty to 'joy' with Wisconsin men's basketball The Badgers senior forward’s fear once held him back on the court. But in the best season of his career, he’s playing free and contributing in…
Open Jim: Can Wisconsin men's basketball keep its young standouts? BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his mailbag.
What to know about Wisconsin men's basketball's opponent, Purdue Notes on the Boilermakers as the Badgers prepare for one of their biggest road matchups of the season.
3 things that stood out in Wisconsin women's basketball's loss to No. 22 Michigan State The Badgers lost their 12th game in 13, never putting up much of a fight in a conference battle in East Lansing.
Wisconsin men's basketball loses key backup, gains another as walk-on guard breaks out Redshirt freshman guard Jack Janicki stepped up like he hadn't before when thrust into a backup point guard role with senior guard Kamari McGe…
Wisconsin men's basketball re-reveals another 'weapon' with an added component Steven Crowl has been able to play well without scoring for the Badgers. He showed the scoring against Illinois, which is just another way Wis…