NCAA Tournament Status Update for Wisconsin Forward Nolan Winter Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter has shared an update regarding his status ahead of the 2025-26 NCAA Tournament, sparking anticipation among fans. The junior missed the entire Big Ten Tournament, a decision that may have influenced Wisconsin’s last-second defeat to Michigan in the semifinals. Despite the team’s reliance on Austin Rapp for key contributions, the loss by three points left fans wondering how the outcome might have changed if Winter had been available. Winter’s absence forced the Badgers to depend heavily on their 3-point shooting, a strategy that has been a staple of their offense this season. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell have led the way with their perimeter scoring, but the team’s reliance on long-range shots raised questions about their depth and adaptability. Winter’s return could provide a significant boost, particularly in the tournament’s high-stakes environment. On Monday, Winter posted a series of images on Instagram with the caption “go time,” signaling his readiness to compete. Coach Greg Gard had previously indicated that Winter would be back in time for March Madness, and the forward’s social media update appears to confirm that timeline. His return is seen as a critical factor for Wisconsin’s chances in the NCAA Tournament. Despite the setback in the Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin secured a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, a testament to the team’s overall performance. However, the selection comes with a challenging first-round matchup. Winter’s physicality and ability to alter games on the defensive end are expected to play a pivotal role in navigating the tournament’s early rounds. The Minnesota native last played on March 4 against Maryland, where he recorded seven points and six rebounds.#ncaa_tournament #austin_rapp #nolan_winter #wisconsin_badgers #nick_boyd
Wisconsin vs. Maryland Preview and Prediction: Badgers are big favorites on Senior Night The Wisconsin Badgers will host the Maryland Terrapins in their final home game of the season on Wednesday. The matchup, scheduled for 7:00 PM CT on Fox Sports 1, sees the Badgers as 13.5-point favorites. After rebounding from an upset loss to Oregon with a dominant 90-73 victory over Washington in Seattle, Wisconsin looks poised to secure a strong finish to the campaign. Badger fans should be aware of Maryland’s struggles this season. Under first-year head coach Buzz Williams, the Terrapins have posted an 11-18 record and sit second-to-last in the Big Ten standings with a 4-14 conference record. Their offensive output of 70.7 points per game ranks near the bottom of the conference, while their defense allows 77.1 points per game, creating a -6.4 point differential—the worst in the league. A significant factor in Maryland’s woes is the absence of leading scorer Pharrel Payne, who played only 10 games before sustaining an injury against Michigan on December 13. Without Payne, transfer guard David “Diggy” Coit has stepped up, averaging 14.0 points per game. Coit made headlines with a 43-point performance against Penn State on January 18, hitting a school-record nine three-pointers. In the backcourt, redshirt freshman Andre Mills and true freshman Darius Adams form the core of Maryland’s offense. Mills, the third-leading scorer at 11.7 points per game, led all scorers with 24 points in an upset win over Iowa on February 11. Adams contributes 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, with his best performance coming in a 20-point effort against Alabama in November. The Terrapins’ frontcourt is anchored by three seniors. Transfer forward Solomon Washington leads the team in rebounds at 9.#wisconsin_badgers #maryland_terrapins #buzz_williams #pharrel_payne #david_coit
Maryland men’s basketball at Wisconsin preview The Maryland Terrapins aim to recover from a recent loss to Rutgers by facing Wisconsin, a team on a strong upward trajectory. With just two games left in the season, Maryland’s struggles in Big Ten play have intensified, leaving them tied with the 1992-93 team for the most conference losses in program history. A loss to Wisconsin could push them closer to breaking that record. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is positioned for a strong March Madness run, having won five of its last six games. Key victories over ranked opponents like Illinois and Michigan State highlight their momentum, despite a recent setback against Oregon. The Badgers are playing at their peak as the season approaches its critical phase. The matchup is set for Wednesday at 8 p.m., televised on Fox Sports 1. Wisconsin enters the game with a 20-9 record and a 12-6 mark in the Big Ten. Head coach Greg Gard, in his 11th season, has led the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including Sweet 16 runs. His coaching legacy includes two Big Ten regular-season titles and two Coach of the Year awards. Gard’s focus on ball security has paid off, as Wisconsin ranks fifth in the conference with the fewest turnovers and a strong assist-to-turnover ratio. The Badgers’ offensive strengths include sharpshooting from beyond the arc, where they rank sixth in the Big Ten at 35.5% from three-point range. However, their efficiency inside the paint remains a challenge, which could be an area for Maryland to exploit. Key players for Wisconsin include senior guard Nick Boyd, who averages 20.3 points and 115 assists per game, and junior forward Nolan Winter, a 7-foot center leading the team in rebounds and blocks.#nolan_winter #greg_gard #wisconsin_badgers #nick_boyd #maryland_terrapsins
