2025-26 College Hoops Thread

[GoldenEagles03]

Badgers look like one of the best teams in the country. Said they were a protected seed weeks ago and they may end up there after all. Boyd playing like I thought Kam would last March.

That's a stretch. But they have potential.

Far from a sure thing.

[BM1090]

That's a stretch. But they have potential.

Far from a sure thing.

Their defense on the season is worse than MU's.

S16 at best. 2nd round if they don't get a good draw.

[GoldenEagles03]

Their defense on the season is worse than MU's.

S16 at best. 2nd round if they don't get a good draw.

Ya their defense is bad, but sometimes that doesn't matter. They can score, score, score.

I was more impressed with Illinois size in that game more than anything. Think they could really make a run. Didn't realize they were that big at every position.

[wisblue]

I rarely find myself agreeing with this dude... but this ^^ @wisblue

It didn't work for MU this year because they didn't have a strong team of returning veteran players like they did the two previous seasons.

They won't have that next year either.

[Zog from Margo]

Your tax dollars at work: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2026/03/13/without-nil-bill-wisconsin-badgers-ad-chris-mcintosh-everything-is-on-the-table-cutting-sports/89108078007/

[MuggsyB]

Ya their defense is bad, but sometimes that doesn't matter. They can score, score, score.

I was more impressed with Illinois size in that game more than anything. Think they could really make a run. Didn't realize they were that big at every position.

Boyd has been playing out of his mind.  The sad reality, as I said a week or so ago, is they're a dangerous team.  Regardless of where they're seeded.  They just beat Illinois without their best big. They aren't good defensively but they're also never out of a game because they have two elite guards who can score at all three levels,  and bigs capable of making shots and spreading the floor.  I'm quite concerned they could make a deep run. 

[brewcity77]

Who are your mid-major sleepers for the tournament?  I think we could see a lot of chalk. 

I laughed at some of the matchups in my bracket today, Miami/Miami (AGAIN), Northern Iowa/Kansas, and Lehigh potentially playing into Duke.

Depending on matchup, McNeese, Akron, Northern Iowa, Hofstra, and Wright State are all teams I think could pull a stunner.

I know Gonzaga & SMC are called "mid-majors" but they're clearly not.  Let's assume SCU is in, regardless of today's result.  Let's even assume Miami is in if they don't win their tournament.  Who are the other non-autobid mid majors that will make the NCAA tournament? 

Miami-Ohio and VCU come to mind. Utah State and St. Louis will be in if they are eliminated.

[#UnleashThePortal]

It didn't work for MU this year because they didn't have a strong team of returning veteran players like they did the two previous seasons.

They won't have that next year either.

Yes. Portal >>>>>> retain.

[GoldenEagles03]

Boyd has been playing out of his mind.  The sad reality, as I said a week or so ago, is they're a dangerous team.  Regardless of where they're seeded.  They just beat Illinois without their best big. They aren't good defensively but they're also never out of a game because they have two elite guards who can score at all three levels,  and bigs capable of making shots and spreading the floor.  I'm quite concerned they could make a deep run. 

They are good, but it's not worth it to worry about. There are better teams out there at the end of the day.

[Viper]

They are good, but it's not worth it to worry about. There are better teams out there at the end of the day.

bottom line is, RED is playing meaningful games while Marquette is not. I hate saying this, but Gard has adapted. He'll take 25 yr olds on their 3rd program, and win. He'll run guys off that are dead weight. RED beat Illinois twice. Won at Michigan. Won at Purdue. Blew Izzo off the court. Shaka goes with bs RGV. Gard gets transfers that win games. Gard will reload. Shaka? Who knows.

[GoldenEagles03]

bottom line is, RED is playing meaningful games while Marquette is not. I hate saying this, but Gard has adapted. He'll take 25 yr olds on their 3rd program, and win. He'll run guys off that are dead weight. RED beat Illinois twice. Won at Michigan. Won at Purdue. Blew Izzo off the court. Shaka goes with bs RGV. Gard gets transfers that win games. Gard will reload. Shaka? Who knows.

Ok

[Viper]

Ok

...it suck's when the rival keeps on keepin on. I sure hope Shaka has a plan to get back on track. I like the core of James, Stevens and Parham. Hopefully the support will be there.

[wisblue]

Yes. Portal >>>>>> retain.

Not my point.

The portal is not a necessary piece for a team that has consistently good recruiting. But, at this point, MU basically doesn't have a senior class for next year so they won't have veteran returning players to start the season.

[wadesworld]

They are good, but it's not worth it to worry about. There are better teams out there at the end of the day.

This is one of the funniest lack of self awareness post on Scoop. You telling other people not to worry about Wisconsin, on a day you just posted all about how they can make a Final Four no less.

[#UnleashThePortal]

Not my point.

The portal is not a necessary piece for a team that has consistently good recruiting.

The only college basketball team to not use the portal was Marquette.

[brewcity77]

bottom line is, RED is playing meaningful games while Marquette is not. I hate saying this, but Gard has adapted. He'll take 25 yr olds on their 3rd program, and win. He'll run guys off that are dead weight. RED beat Illinois twice. Won at Michigan. Won at Purdue. Blew Izzo off the court. Shaka goes with bs RGV. Gard gets transfers that win games. Gard will reload. Shaka? Who knows.

You had me for some of that, but lost it at the end.

Badger fans are very nervous about NIL. They don't have much to spend and the tax grab not passing means there's no cash injection coming. They're bracing to lose Blackwell because they can't afford him.

Gard has adjusted very well and is a better coach than we've given him credit for. He's changed his system and recruiting and deserves credit for that.

But while this year was an RGV disaster, Shaka is going to make roster spots and go to the portal. He's said as much and we all know it, so continuing to blame rather than waiting to see what changes come in the next 3-6 weeks feels like piling on.

[GoldenEagles03]

This is one of the funniest lack of self awareness post on Scoop. You telling other people not to worry about Wisconsin, on a day you just posted all about how they can make a Final Four no less.

They can. Not saying they will, but they could.

I'm very aware of the situation. Still not worth it to worry about. There are a handful of teams that are better than them and there will be a handful of teams in every region better than them.

[PointWarrior]

But what if Bucky has to face Radford in the first round?

This is one of the funniest lack of self awareness post on Scoop. You telling other people not to worry about Wisconsin, on a day you just posted all about how they can make a Final Four no less.

[wadesworld]

But what if Bucky has to face Radford in the first round?

They should be worried.

[Viper]

You had me for some of that, but lost it at the end.

Badger fans are very nervous about NIL. They don't have much to spend and the tax grab not passing means there's no cash injection coming. They're bracing to lose Blackwell because they can't afford him.

Gard has adjusted very well and is a better coach than we've given him credit for. He's changed his system and recruiting and deserves credit for that.

But while this year was an RGV disaster, Shaka is going to make roster spots and go to the portal. He's said as much and we all know it, so continuing to blame rather than waiting to see what changes come in the next 3-6 weeks feels like piling on.

fair enough. I blame Shaka's approach that got MU in this mess. Hopefully, and as you say, Shaka's approach over the next month is the start to getting MU out of this mess. Those 20 L's...as they say, the #'s never lie.

[MuggsyB]

...it suck's when the rival keeps on keepin on. I sure hope Shaka has a plan to get back on track. I like the core of James, Stevens and Parham. Hopefully the support will be there.

It does suck and sucks even more that they have gotten A-A caliber players from the portal.

[Billy Hoyle]

The only college basketball team to not use the portal was Marquette.

And Stanford, who is also staying home in March

[MuggsyB]

UCLA just took out Mich St. 

[MuggsyB]

Houston is abusing Kansas.