Wisconsin Badgers Jump into National Polls After Impressive Start to the Season

The Wisconsin Badgers have made a strong impression in the early weeks of the basketball season, catching the attention of national pollsters. After a successful start, the Badgers are now ranked No. 19 nationally and No. 25 in other major polls as of Monday.

Wisconsin’s 4-0 start is noted for being their second perfect start in three seasons, and they have won their matchups by an average of 20.5 points. A significant highlight was their commanding 15-point victory over then-No. 9 Arizona. This marked Wisconsin’s largest margin of victory against a top-10 opponent since their win against Michigan State on February 2, 2010, where they triumphed 67-49. Additionally, they scored 103 points, the highest for the Badgers against a ranked team.

The rankings announcement comes as the Badgers prepare to face the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, who hold a 3-2 record, at the Kohl Center on Monday night. A win would match Wisconsin’s best start within Greg Gard‘s decade-long tenure as head coach.

In related events, Arizona Wildcats have been in the news following their recent performance at Wisconsin. As reported by Bruce Pascoe, Caleb Love, a key player for Arizona, struggled significantly during the game. Love’s inconsistency, highlighted by a series of early fouls leading to his fouling out, contributed heavily to Arizona’s defeat. Pascoe pointed out that Love’s offensive inefficiency often coincides with the Wildcats’ losses.

The Arizona Wildcats’ women’s team, however, has had a promising start to their season, remaining unbeaten at 5-0. Notably, coach Adia Barnes is utilizing a deep rotation, providing valuable game time to her newer and younger players. Freshman Lauryn Swann is one of those making a significant impact, improving her minutes and offering crucial three-point shooting skills.

On the football field, former Arizona star Ka'Deem Carey has found success in the Canadian Football League. Carey has had an outstanding year with the Toronto Argonauts, leading to an appearance in the Grey Cup. Meanwhile, former Arizona standout Jordan Morgan, now with the Green Bay Packers, faces a challenging rookie season, marred by injuries.

In baseball news, the Arizona Wildcats’ 2025 signing class has been ranked 18th nationally, showcasing coach Chip Hale’s recruiting talents and strategic acumen. Despite initial skepticism regarding Hale’s potential as a recruiter, he has proven adept at building a strong team in Tucson.