The Badgers had an ugly collapse at home to snap a five-game winning streak.

 

On a five-game winning streak, the Wisconsin Badgers suffered an ugly collapse in the second half, dropping a 77-73 loss in overtime at the Kohl Center on Saturday, putting a major blow to their Big Ten Championship hopes.

 

It was a slower start for the Badgers in a back-and-forth affair with the Ducks, but a surge midway through the first half created a double-digit lead. Oregon made a major comeback in the second half, cutting a 17-point lead to force overtime with a rapid push in the final minutes, leading to the nail-biting finish.

 

Then, in overtime, the Ducks relied on center Nate Bittle and the Badgers had no answer, struggling to put together success on the offensive end.

 

With the loss, Wisconsin dropped to 21-6 on the season and 11-5 in conference play, falling to fifth in the Big Ten standings behind the Maryland Terrapins.

 

Here are three quick takeaways from Wisconsin’s 77-73 overtime loss to the Oregon Ducks on Saturday.

 

 

Coming into Saturday, the Badgers were seen as 8.5-point favorites over the Ducks. Still, some viewed the game as a potential ‘trap’ game, given that Oregon was coming in on a three-game winning streak and had shifty guards such as Jackson Shelstad that could give Wisconsin some problems.

 

Well, it was a competitive battle over the first eight minutes, as Wisconsin saw success inside, but couldn’t get any of their triples to fall, while Oregon had three threes in the early minutes to get them out to a 17-14 lead with 11:15 to go in the period.

 

From there, though, Wisconsin dominated the half, going on a 24-4 run, which was what they had in the first half of their home win over the Indiana Hoosiers, taking a 38-21 lead with two minutes left in the period.

 

It was a dominant stretch from the Badgers, who saw success in a number of different areas on the court. As expected, star guard John Tonje led the way with 16 of those 24 points, scoring 13 straight at one point to ignite the spark for Wisconsin.

 

The Badgers have played strong complementary basketball throughout the season. But, it’s runs like these that end up separating them from their opponents.

 

The impressiveness of that first-half run made the second-half collapse even more of a struggle, as the Badgers seemed to have all the momentum going into halftime and couldn’t capitalize on the stretch at home.

 

 

As the Ducks slowly chipped at the Badgers lead in the second half, Wisconsin sputtered offensively, as they couldn’t put together the type of run that they had in the first half.

 

But, the true collapse came over the final five minutes, where Wisconsin struggled to break Oregon’s full-court press, while also turning the ball over in the half-court.

 

Wisconsin held a 62-47 lead with just under eight minutes to go. That was cut to seven points within the final five minutes, and disaster started to strike.

 

The Badgers had six turnovers over the final 4:45, with center Steven Crowl committing three, and they really struggled to close out the game over the final minute. Normally, this is a situation that Wisconsin would like to end in, as their strong free throw shooting has closed out close games a couple of times this season.

 

But, the Badgers never got to those free-throw shooting moments, turning the ball over four times in the final two minutes, and the Ducks took advantage with two three-pointers, including the game-tying shot from Jackson Shelstad with 12 seconds remaining.

 

This collapse is one that isn’t expected by a veteran-laden Wisconsin team filled with experience and ball-handling. But, that was the outcome on Saturday, and the Badgers sputtered at the worst time, failing to recover after that.

 

Changing the gameplan

Looking back at the first half, while three-pointers weren’t falling at their usual rate for the Badgers, Wisconsin saw success when putting the ball in the hands of John Tonje and Steven Crowl.

 

Tonje worked well going downhill, going 4/5 inside the arc, while hitting both of his free throws en route to a 16-point first half.

 

And Steven Crowl won the battle against Nate Bittle, getting 10 first-half points while also going 4/5 inside the arc. Crowl forced three fouls against Bittle in the period, limiting Oregon to just seven minutes in the period.

 

However, the Badgers shied away from that in the second half, not setting Crowl much in the post to give him opportunities against Bittle. And that proved costly.

 

Not only could Wisconsin not get much rhythm offensively as Crowl had just two shot attempts in the period, but Bittle really started to get going offensively, scoring 12 second-half points before getting six of Oregon’s 11 in overtime.

 

The Badgers needed to keep the Ducks center in foul trouble. While they had a couple of dribble drives from the guards that didn’t fall, they didn’t ride the hot hand with Crowl and that proved costly, especially early in the period, as Bittle got into a rhythm and took over the game for Oregon.

 

The Wisconsin football program has appointed Marcus Sedberry as the new general manager for the 2025-26 season. With three years of experience in Wisconsin football operations and prior experience at Baylor, Sedberry steps into the role after former GM Max Stienecker moved to USC. His background includes significant involvement in fundraising and strategic project management. Sedberry takes on leadership amidst challenges, including the team’s first missed bowl game since 2001 and a significant player turnover through the transfer portal.

 

By the Numbers

23 players left Wisconsin during the recent transfer portal window.

30 new recruits, including high school players, are set to join the Badgers.

 

The Badgers have only one verbal commitment for the 2026 recruiting class.

Key period for scheduling visits and pursuing prospects is ongoing until April 16.

 

As Sedberry takes charge, he must focus on roster management and securing key recruits to rejuvenate the program. Building relationships with high school prospects and ensuring effective NIL deals will be critical for future success.

 

Bottom Line

Marcus Sedberry’s experience and strategic oversight could be key in redirecting Wisconsin football towards success after a challenging season. His ability to attract talent will determine the team’s trajectory moving forward.

 

 

 

 

Wed, Feb 5, 2025, 3:23 PM GMT·2 min read

MADISON – Wednesday marked the first day of the final signing period for Division I and II football.

 

Wisconsin isn’t expected to add any players from the high school ranks. The Badgers locked down their class in December when they signed 24 high school players during the early period.

 

UW’s class ranks No. 21 nationally, according to Rivals. The Badgers are 25th on 247sports’ list, 27th according to On3 and No. 31 according to ESPN.

 

 

More than half of that group is already on campus taking classes and preparing for spring ball. Here is a look at who is here, who is on the way and who is no longer coming.

 

Wisconsin football commits enrolled and working out

Emmett Bork, TE, 6-6, 240, Oconomowoc, Wis. – Oconomowoc HS

 

 

Cooper Catalano, LB, 6-2, 215, Germantown, Wis – Germantown HS

 

Nicolas Clayton, OLB, 6-5, 215, Gainesville, Fla. – Bucholz, HS

 

Nolan Davenport, OL, 6-6, 290, Massillon, Ohio – Massillon HS

 

Grant Dean, S, 6-1, 185, Neenah, Wis. – Neenah HS

 

Luke Emmerich, S, 6-1, 190, Monticello, Minn. – Monticello HS

 

Eugene Hilton Jr., WR, 6-1, 200, Zionsville, Ind. – Zionsville HS

 

Remington Moss, S, 6-2, 190, Dumfies, Va. – St. Michael the Archangel

 

Torin Pettaway, DL, 6-5, 290, Middleton, Wis. – Middleton HS

 

Michael Roeske, OL, 6-8, 305, Wautoma, Wis. – Wautoma HS

 

Jaimier Scott, S, 6-1, 185, Mount Healthy, Ohio – Mount Healthy HS

 

 

Cairo Skanes, CB, 6-1, 180, Asheville, N.C. – Providence Day HS

 

Carter Smith is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback who committed to the Wisconsin Badgers from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida.

Carter Smith is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback who committed to the Wisconsin Badgers from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida. More

Carter Smith, QB, 6-3, 190, Fort Myers, Fla – Bishop Verot HS

 

Xavier Ukponu, DL, 6-3, 300, Denton, Tex. – Guyer HS

 

Hardy Watts, OL, 6-6, 300, Boston – Dexter Southfield

 

Wisconsin football commits who will arrive at the end of the school year

Cam Clark, OL, 6-7, 295, Dexter, Mich. – Dexter HS

 

Nizyi Davis, TE, 6-5, 215, Indianapolis – Lawrence Central HS

 

Sam Lateju, OLB, 6-6, 225, Lagos, Nigeria – Lawrenceville HS (N.J.)

 

Drayden Pavey, DL, 6-3, 295, Cincinnati – Taft HS

 

 

 

Mason Posa, LB, 6-3, 220, Albuquerque – La Cueva HS

 

Logan Powell, OL, 6-05, 290, Phoenix – Brophy Prep Jesuit HS

 

Jahmare Washington, CB, 6-2, 170, Chicago – Morgan Park HS

 

 

 

Sam Greer was at Ohio Stadium to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Michigan Wolverines in an NCAA football game on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024.

Analysts and critics believe offense is one of the immediate problems that the Wisconsin Badgers football after a failed 2024 season and they are doing just that by providing an offer to an offensive tackle regarded as among the best in his class.

 

Wisconsin Badgers coach Luke Fickell

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell watches a drill during fall training camp at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. – Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The team, who recently promoted Kenny Guiton to quarterbacks coach, made their interest on OT Sam Greer official as announced by the Archbishop Hoban standout.

 

Greer is a four-star prospect and will be eligible for college football by 2026.

 

Aside from Wisconsin, he also received interests from Missouri which he already made an official visit, Ohio State, Boston College, Central Michigan, and Duke.

 

Programs that made official offer aside from UW are Florida State Seminoles and Northwestern Wildcats.

 

Wisconsin Badgers football prospect Sam Greer

Hoban offensive lineman Sam Greer (right) blocks Barberton linebacker Micryn Miller in a Division II regional quarterfinal, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

He did not confirm if he already accepted the offer but he said that he can’t wait to “build this relationship” with the Badgers.

 

Wisconsin Badgers made an offer to 4-star defensive line

Talent retention is another thing that the Badgers need to address after the departure of several players through the transfer portal.

 

They might get one in the next two years in case a four-star prospect they made an offer to signs with them.

 

Defensive line Zane Rowe from Guyer also received and offer from Wisconsin Badgers football.

 

He announced the official offer through his X account where he said he had a great conversation with Badgers defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow.

 

He will enter college football by 2027 but as early as now, he already received three offers from prominent college football programs.

 

Wisconsin Badgers football prospect Zane Rowe

First to make an offer was the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida Seminoles made their own pitch on January 6 and then the Arizona Wildcats had their turn six days after.