Bucky is Dancing in Brackets

Internet image of Indy's logo.

Wisconsin earned a 5th seed in the West Region where they will play High Point University.

The Panthers are champions of the Big South Conference again in 2026, making this their second trip to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. In 2025, they lost to Purdue, in 2026, they play another Big Ten conference school.

Wisconsin had a good year, finishing fifth behind Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, and Nebraska with a 14 - 6 conference record. Included in their wins were victories over Michigan at the Wolverines arena; Illinois twice, once in Champaign and again in the conference tournament; and Michigan State at home.

The back court is strong with John Blackwell, a third-year Badger, and Nick Boyd, who transferred to Wisconsin this season. The two work together well and are strong scorers. This team, under coach Greg Gard, seems to have more offensive weapons than prior seasons. 

Center Nolan Winter is good inside and able to hit from behind the three-point line. Andrew Rohde is strong on defense and Austin Rapp came to the team with a good three-point shot from Australia via Portland (Oregon) University.

I expect the Badgers to reach the Sweet Sixteen where they will likely find Arizona, the top seed in the West Region. Wisconsin has played well against strong teams like the Wildcats, and while it would be an upset, it wouldn't surprise me if they beat Arizona.

Speaking of brackets...

Behold, a not yet broken, bracket. 3/17/2026 dwm

There's a lot of 'chalk' in my bracket with one 1-seed and three 2-seeds in my Final Four. Overall #1 Duke goes to Indianapolis from the East Region after taking care of Sienna and Ohio State during the first weekend and defeating Kansas and Michigan State the second weekend.

In the West, I'll take my Badgers in an upset of #1 Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen. I like Wisconsin and believe they are strong enough to win it all; but Purdue often has Bucky's number, so I think the Boilermakers will beat Queens, Missouri, Gonzaga, and Wisconsin to reach the last weekend just 60-miles from their campus.

The Midwest will come down to a regional final with two teams that have been in the Top Ten all year. I'm going with Iowa State, predicting they take care of Tennessee State, Kentucky, Virginia, and Michigan to reach their first Final Four since 1944.

And in the South, Houston fights their way back to where they lost to Florida by two in the Championship game. The Cougars will take care of business against Idaho, Texas A & M, Illinois, and Vanderbilt.

Houston beats Duke and Purdue defeats Iowa State creating a showdown between the Big 12 and Big 10. Purdue has played in the title game twice before, this time they win it all. (You're welcome, Jake.)