Wisconsin Signs Former McFarland Star, Iowa Hawkeye Teagan Mallegni Wisconsin women’s basketball coach Robin Pingeton continued her efforts to bolster the Badgers’ roster by securing another in-state talent from the transfer portal. McFarland native Teagan Mallegni, a 6-foot-1 guard who previously played for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has officially committed to the University of Wisconsin, the school announced on April 18. Mallegni’s decision marks her fourth addition to the Badgers’ 2026 recruiting class, joining previously announced transfers Addie Deal and Kadidia Toure, as well as incoming freshman Alicia Courthiau from Belgium. Mallegni, who spent her first two seasons at Iowa, averaged 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds over 45 games during her time with the Hawkeyes. As a freshman, she appeared in 30 of 34 games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per contest. Her playing time and production declined in her sophomore season, with her minutes per game dropping to 5.6 and her scoring output falling to 1.5 points per game. The Des Moines Register reported that Mallegni faced significant challenges during the 2024-2025 season, including an ankle injury early in the year and a four-game absence in late November and early December following tonsil surgery. These setbacks limited her ability to regain a consistent role in Iowa’s rotation. Despite her struggles at Iowa, Mallegni was highly regarded as a high school prospect. HoopGurlz ranked her as the No. 59 player in the 2024 class, while ESPN placed her at No. 64. Her most notable performance with the Hawkeyes came in a game against Wisconsin, where she delivered a standout effort. In an 81-52 victory, Mallegni recorded season highs with 10 points, 14 minutes of play, four assists, and two steals.#iowa_hawkeyes #university_of_wisconsin #teagan_mallegni #robin_pingeton #des_moines_register
8 Must-Watch NHL Prospects in the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four The 2026 NCAA Frozen Four is set to begin on April 9, featuring four teams: the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Denver. The tournament kicks off with Wisconsin facing North Dakota at 5 p.m. and Michigan taking on Denver at 8:30 p.m. While Michigan is the favored team, the competition is fierce, with Denver holding three of the last four national championships, North Dakota boasting a potential NHL Draft lottery pick in Keaton Verhoeff, and Wisconsin making its first Frozen Four appearance since 2010. Before the tournament begins, attention turns to standout players from each team. Among the key prospects are forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders whose performances could shape the outcome of the championship. The University of Michigan’s Michael Hage, a forward for the Montreal Canadiens, is expected to return after a minor lower-body injury kept him out of the previous playoff game. Hage, who scored 51 points this season, will be a critical asset for the Wolverines as they aim to secure their first national title since 1998. His return is anticipated to bolster Michigan’s offensive efforts, and his NHL future with the Canadiens seems likely once the season concludes. Will Horcoff, another Michigan forward and prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins, has exceeded expectations this season. As the son of former NHLer Shawn Horcoff, Horcoff’s progress has been notable, particularly in his playmaking ability. His development has impressed both the Penguins and Wolverines, positioning him as a potential future NHL contributor. From the University of Denver, Eric Pohlkamp, a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks, has been a standout performer.#university_of_north_dakota #university_of_michigan #university_of_wisconsin #montreal_canadiens #university_of_denver
Wisconsin Badgers down only one rotation player for NCAA Tournament opener against High Point The University of Wisconsin will enter its NCAA Tournament opener with just one key rotation player missing as it prepares to face 12th-seeded High Point. Reserve guard Jack Janicki, sidelined due to wrist surgery, is expected to miss the game, while junior center Nolan Winter has been cleared to play after a full week of practice. Winter, who missed the final regular-season game and all three Big Ten Tournament contests, participated in Wisconsin’s open practice at the Moda Center on Wednesday, showing no signs of limitation. Winter’s return is critical for the Badgers, as he has been a dominant force in scoring and rebounding. The team’s leading rebounder with an average of 8.6 boards per game, Winter ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rebounding and has recorded double-doubles in 25 of his 30 contests this season. His scoring contributions are equally notable, with 13.3 points per game and a 69.9% shooting percentage from two-point range, which places him 10th nationally among players with at least 200 field goal attempts. No Big Ten player has matched his efficiency since the 1986-87 season. Winter’s performance has also earned him a spot among the league’s top performers, as he ranks second in the Big Ten with 12 double-doubles. He joins a select group of Badgers in the past 25 years to achieve at least 10 double-doubles in a season, alongside All-Americans Ethan Happ and Frank Kaminsky. Despite his success, Winter has limited NCAA Tournament experience, having played three games in previous tournaments and averaging 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 block in 19.0 minutes per game. Sophomore Austin Rapp has stepped into Winter’s starting role, providing reliable contributions.#high_point #ncaa_tournament #university_of_wisconsin #austin_rapp #nolan_winter
Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Set for Big Ten Tournament Debut The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team is preparing to compete in the 2026 Big Ten Tournament, set to begin on March 10 at the United Center in Chicago. The Badgers, seeded No. 5 in the tournament, will face either Washington or USC in the opening game on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CT. This marks the team’s fourth appearance in the tournament as a No. 5 seed, following previous runs to the Big Ten title game in 2024 and 2025. Wisconsin’s path to the tournament included a strong regular-season performance, finishing with a 22-9 record and a 14-6 mark in Big Ten play. The team’s success was highlighted by victories over three top-10 opponents, including wins at No. 2 Michigan, No. 8 Illinois, and No. 10 Michigan State. Additionally, the Badgers secured three top-25 road wins, a feat achieved for the third time in school history under head coach Greg Gard. The team’s recent game against No. 15 Purdue on March 5 was a standout performance, with Wisconsin defeating the Boilermakers 97-93. The Badgers hit a season-high 18 three-pointers, with Austin Rapp and Aleksas Bieuliauksas combining for eight three-pointers. John Blackwell led the team with 25 points, including five three-pointers, while Nick Boyd added 23 points and 5 assists. The win solidified Wisconsin’s No. 5 seed in the tournament. Key players earned recognition for their contributions. Nick Boyd was named to the second-team All-Big Ten after averaging 20.1 points per game, while John Blackwell earned third-team honors with a career-high 18.3 points per game. Sharif Chambliss was also honored as the Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year for his work in developing student-athletes. Wisconsin’s tournament seeding is bolstered by its rankings, including No.#big_ten_tournament #university_of_wisconsin #united_center #austin_rapp #aleksas_bieuliauksas
