Even after losing the likes of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, the Wisconsin Badgers are still among Andy Katz’s top 44 teams.
In the first-ever Power 44, Wisconsin earned a No. 36 ranking. Duke, Blackwell’s new home, tops the rankings at No. 1.
Fellow Big Ten teams, No. 3 Michigan, and No. 4 Illinois, find themselves in the top five. In total, 12 Big Ten teams were in the Power 44.
Katz may have the Badgers as a bottom-nine team in this set of rankings, but even making the Power 44 proves there’s still a lot Wisconsin has to look forward to next season.
All in all, Austin Rapp and Nolan Winter are the only returning players in Greg Gard’s starting lineup. There’s still time for things to change, but incoming freshman Owen Foxwell, along with transfers Trey Autry and Eian Elmer are projected to round things out.
Gard’s incoming freshman class has some talent, and he did a great job in the portal as he also brought in Victory Onuetu. A good majority of his bench players are returning for the 2026-27 season, one that would be considered a success if the Badgers simply made it out of the first round.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Where does Wisconsin men’s basketball rank in Andy Katz’s Power 44?
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
