Talkin’ Badgers: A Wisconsin Badgers Football and Basketball Podcast

Wisconsin basketball loss at Ohio State a reminder of Badgers' limitations

Despite its deflating loss at the hands of a middling Ohio State Buckeyes squad, this Wisconsin basketball [http://badgerbreakaway.com] team is still the same group that earned top-10 road wins [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-basketball-mailbag-austin-rapp-turnaround-unsung-contributors] in Ann Arbor over the Michigan Wolverines and in Champaign over the Illinois Fighting Illini (not to mention a dominating victory over Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans). This UW squad that fell 86-69 in Columbus is the same one that erased a massive deficit against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, because it is the same group that put itself in the precarious position of needing a historic comeback [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-basketball-proves-new-way-it-can-win-vs-minnesota] to sweep the Gophers. Wisconsin is flawed, but its flaws are what make this basketball team so exciting. It is the traits that seemingly give the Badgers a chance to beat any team on a given night that also make them so vulnerable. After back-to-back wins over Illinois and Michigan State, the ceiling of head coach Greg Gard’s latest squad was realized. It did not, however, eliminate the risks of employing a team built around two ball-dominant guards [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-basketball-mailbag-nick-boyd-defense-2027-recruiting] and effective long-range shooting. When either of those two factors, let alone both at once, is lost, this is a basketball team that quickly comes crashing down to Earth. But hey, that’s college basketball. *Watch on YouTube [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] *Join Bucky's Burrow! [https://discord.com/invite/22kGDjR7gX] *Follow Dillon Graff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnQtVWZQZEtqWW1SclBtMnF6Q09XNlYzUnd6d3xBQ3Jtc0trM3RlUndvR3BWTi0wUnJPRlVHRU9odXMwcnRMNnJvbmVMU2lkeUk3OTBIc0dqaXN3ZGxWVWlvcklTSVNIT09BNzZmVlJTbVdXaVJaeUVKOFRGemV2TExoNjJ6UnA3WEc2MlZoMFNaY05pajRMZ012OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FDillonGraff&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Kedrick on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kedrickstumbris.bsky.social] *Follow the podcast on Twitter/X [http://www.x.com/talkinbadgers] We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com [https://www.badgernotes.com/]. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become the leading source for independent Wisconsin Badgers coverage. Get full access to Badgernotes at www.badgernotes.com/subscribe [https://www.badgernotes.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Wisconsin men's basketball proves new way it can win vs. Minnesota

Facing a 20-point deficit in the first half, all seemed lost for Wisconsin basketball [http://badgernotes.com] on Wednesday night. By intermission, that lead slimmed narrowly to 18 points, but that was just enough for the Wisconsin Badgers to mount a comeback tied for the largest in program history. Led by John Blackwell’s game-high 23 points, UW, for the second time in eight days, escaped with a dramatic victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. By capturing the 67-63 win, Wisconsin tied a program record for the largest deficit overcome in a second half and set a new record with its longest-ever winning streak over its border battle rival. Unpack all the history of the win, a handful of key plays, and what made this Wisconsin men’s basketball win different than its other recent come-from-behind victories. This time, Wisconsin won thanks, in part, to a hard-nosed defensive effort, and not solely on the back of its prolific offense; that signals a continued upward trajectory for these Badgers. *Watch on YouTube [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] *Join Bucky's Burrow! [https://discord.com/invite/22kGDjR7gX] *Follow Dillon Graff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnQtVWZQZEtqWW1SclBtMnF6Q09XNlYzUnd6d3xBQ3Jtc0trM3RlUndvR3BWTi0wUnJPRlVHRU9odXMwcnRMNnJvbmVMU2lkeUk3OTBIc0dqaXN3ZGxWVWlvcklTSVNIT09BNzZmVlJTbVdXaVJaeUVKOFRGemV2TExoNjJ6UnA3WEc2MlZoMFNaY05pajRMZ012OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FDillonGraff&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Kedrick on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kedrickstumbris.bsky.social] *Follow the podcast on Twitter/X [http://www.x.com/talkinbadgers] We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com [https://www.badgernotes.com/]. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become the leading source for independent Wisconsin Badgers coverage. Get full access to Badgernotes at www.badgernotes.com/subscribe [https://www.badgernotes.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Injured Wisconsin basketball meets 'a very good Panthers team'

With recent injuries to NBA Draft prospects John Blackwell and Nolan Winter, Wisconsin basketball [http://badgernotes.com] could be shorthanded when facing the in-state Milwaukee Panthers. As Big Ten play looms, the Wisconsin Badgers cannot afford to slip up, no matter their injury situation. If Blackwell and Winter are unable to play, UW will quickly have to find the secondary scoring options it has been lacking. Against the Central Michigan Chippewas, transfers Braeden Carrington and Austin Rapp combined for 27 points, showcasing some promise [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-badgers-basketball-88-61-win-central-michigan-takeaways?r=1szimq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] of becoming reliable options alongside Blackwell, Winter, and Nick Boyd. A fast-paced Milwaukee team could test a questionable Badgers defense. Liam Hanley of the Shepherd Express joins Talkin’ Badgers [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] host Kedrick Stumbris to offer the Panthers’ perspective on the non-conference matchup. This year’s version of head coach Bart Lundy’s Milwaukee Panthers is younger than his other recent teams, but it remains an offense-first program. A welcome change from years past, however, is Milwaukee’s surprising knack for taking care of the basketball. Between injuries, high-octane offense, and the Panthers playing three games in four days, this winter break matchup may wind up more closely-contested than Badgers fans would prefer. *Watch on YouTube [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] *Follow Liam Hanley on X [https://x.com/lhanley_34]*Read Liam's work for Shepherd Express [https://shepherdexpress.com/topics/liam-hanley/]*Oldest Players in College Basketball [https://www.basketunderreview.com/the-oldest-players-in-college-basketball-2025-26/]*Listen to MKE Sports Express [https://open.spotify.com/show/29eFGK8n1Zm2boWaeVFwNx] *Join Bucky's Burrow! [https://discord.com/invite/22kGDjR7gX] *Follow Dillon Graff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnQtVWZQZEtqWW1SclBtMnF6Q09XNlYzUnd6d3xBQ3Jtc0trM3RlUndvR3BWTi0wUnJPRlVHRU9odXMwcnRMNnJvbmVMU2lkeUk3OTBIc0dqaXN3ZGxWVWlvcklTSVNIT09BNzZmVlJTbVdXaVJaeUVKOFRGemV2TExoNjJ6UnA3WEc2MlZoMFNaY05pajRMZ012OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FDillonGraff&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Kedrick on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kedrickstumbris.bsky.social] or the website formerly known as Twitter [https://x.com/KedrickStumbris] *Follow the podcast on Twitter/X [http://www.x.com/talkinbadgers] We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com [https://www.badgernotes.com/]. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become the leading source for independent Wisconsin Badgers coverage. Get full access to Badgernotes at www.badgernotes.com/subscribe [https://www.badgernotes.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Wisconsin basketball returns to face shorthanded BYU Cougars

All wins on an NCAA Tournament resume are good wins. But a win, in a presumably hostile environment, against a top-20 team would be a great win on Wisconsin basketball [http://badgernotes.com]‘s NCAA Tournament resume. The No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers are out west in Salt Lake City, Utah, to face the No. 9 BYU Cougars. Although the team that cut UW’s March Madness run short less than eight months ago is above Wisconsin in the human polls, some computers like the Badgers more than the Cougars on a neutral court. This game, notably not on BYU’s campus, however, will not be a neutral environment. In Wisconsin’s first test away from the Kohl Center this season, it faces a daunting crowd, a preseason All-American in the frontcourt, and another former five-star prospect running point. While the Badgers are fully healthy, the Cougars may not be. BYU is potentially down two of its starters, and that opens up a golden opportunity for UW to put a gold star on its resume before Thanksgiving. It is an opportunity most college basketball teams cannot afford to give up. Join today’s episode of Talkin’ Badgers [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] to find out who’s in, who’s out, and why this November matchup could mean so much for Wisconsin come tournament time. *Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/tK4mb_CXg7w] *Join Bucky's Burrow! [https://discord.com/invite/22kGDjR7gX] *Follow Dillon Graff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnQtVWZQZEtqWW1SclBtMnF6Q09XNlYzUnd6d3xBQ3Jtc0trM3RlUndvR3BWTi0wUnJPRlVHRU9odXMwcnRMNnJvbmVMU2lkeUk3OTBIc0dqaXN3ZGxWVWlvcklTSVNIT09BNzZmVlJTbVdXaVJaeUVKOFRGemV2TExoNjJ6UnA3WEc2MlZoMFNaY05pajRMZ012OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FDillonGraff&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Brandon Cooper [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkN6dHhtWUtlUVJaNXlQSUM3aXlNV1ljbWVIUXxBQ3Jtc0ttcnU1Q3p6S0ZNb1BVSzFjUThSdVp0dEc3Zzg2ZjlZSEVhZWgyWm5IOWx5aHBtTEhjdUNOY0MyQm54YUJpc3lsbWtVLW8tTDRQMTdPT0ZFbDBlMDhKamFQdV95UDItTV9KbFRSWFZXaU9iOGt0dzlpaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FFrznPizzaCooper&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Ryan Eilers [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHc0YXo5VEFva0dzMFJ3bjJnM2RaQ2lGcTJFd3xBQ3Jtc0trYmpRakR1YWFIbHN0QzE1YXRxQkZDY1FDYUFXdnQwZmxEbEw4YnhGTTd3N2ttM243X1JwRDBZQnJGUHdqM1FLcmx1aXZTWnhkNHBvQ0RlR0Q0WWNYTU5DamZIblJyYjJLbW00NEVEUkpfSlRzZ1ZKNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fryanbeilers&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Kedrick on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kedrickstumbris.bsky.social] or the website formerly known as Twitter [https://x.com/KedrickStumbris] *Follow the podcast on Twitter/X [http://www.x.com/talkinbadgers] We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com [https://www.badgernotes.com/]. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become the leading source for independent Wisconsin Badgers coverage. Get full access to Badgernotes at www.badgernotes.com/subscribe [https://www.badgernotes.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Wisconsin football flips game in 6 drives, beats Washington

When the Wisconsin Badgers took to Barry Alvarez Field inside Camp Randall Stadium against the Washington Huskies, Luke Fickell had earned three votes of confidence [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-football-commits-luke-fickell-head-coach-2026-season] from Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh. Still, he had yet to earn one from Badgers fans [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/column-time-is-of-the-essence-to-overhaul-wisconsin-badgers-football]. Under Fickell’s stewardship, Wisconsin football [http://badgernotes.com]had lost six consecutive games, had not beaten a Big Ten foe in over a year, and was 0-9 against ranked opponents. With 60 minutes of complementary football, Fickell just might have changed some hearts and minds. “The whole locker room has been behind Coach Fick since day one,” linebacker Cooper Catalano said in a post-game interview. The Germantown native logged a game-high 19 tackles–the most by any Badgers freshman since at least 1995. Catalano and Mason Posa, both true freshmen, led the way for a classic Badgers’ victory achieved first and foremost through its defense. The duo [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-badgers-football-mason-posa-cooper-catalano-ready-to-dominate] combined for four of Wisconsin’s nine tackles for loss. “They’re just doing a great job. They’re playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” Fickell boasted [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJXUdV_YB14] of the pairing thrust into the starting lineup due, in part, to injuries. “They have that energy. They bring that energy. They have a communication side to them, too. There’s some natural–I don’t want to say alpha but–there’s some natural things that you don’t teach.” As the late hours on Saturday turned to the early hours on Sunday, Talkin’ Badgers [http://youtube.com/@talkinbadgers] went live to break down the Catalano, Posa, backup punter/unexpected leading passer Sean West, and the fourth-string [https://www.badgernotes.com/p/wisconsin-football-danny-oneil-starting-quarterback-vs-washington] turned gutsy go-to-guy Carter Smith of it all. *Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/tK4mb_CXg7w] *Join Bucky's Burrow! [https://discord.com/invite/22kGDjR7gX] *Follow Dillon Graff [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnQtVWZQZEtqWW1SclBtMnF6Q09XNlYzUnd6d3xBQ3Jtc0trM3RlUndvR3BWTi0wUnJPRlVHRU9odXMwcnRMNnJvbmVMU2lkeUk3OTBIc0dqaXN3ZGxWVWlvcklTSVNIT09BNzZmVlJTbVdXaVJaeUVKOFRGemV2TExoNjJ6UnA3WEc2MlZoMFNaY05pajRMZ012OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FDillonGraff&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Brandon Cooper [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkN6dHhtWUtlUVJaNXlQSUM3aXlNV1ljbWVIUXxBQ3Jtc0ttcnU1Q3p6S0ZNb1BVSzFjUThSdVp0dEc3Zzg2ZjlZSEVhZWgyWm5IOWx5aHBtTEhjdUNOY0MyQm54YUJpc3lsbWtVLW8tTDRQMTdPT0ZFbDBlMDhKamFQdV95UDItTV9KbFRSWFZXaU9iOGt0dzlpaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FFrznPizzaCooper&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Ryan Eilers [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHc0YXo5VEFva0dzMFJ3bjJnM2RaQ2lGcTJFd3xBQ3Jtc0trYmpRakR1YWFIbHN0QzE1YXRxQkZDY1FDYUFXdnQwZmxEbEw4YnhGTTd3N2ttM243X1JwRDBZQnJGUHdqM1FLcmx1aXZTWnhkNHBvQ0RlR0Q0WWNYTU5DamZIblJyYjJLbW00NEVEUkpfSlRzZ1ZKNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fryanbeilers&v=BBkFoauHf4w] *Follow Kedrick on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/kedrickstumbris.bsky.social] or the website formerly known as Twitter [https://x.com/KedrickStumbris] *Follow the podcast on Twitter/X [http://www.x.com/talkinbadgers] We appreciate you taking the time to read our work at BadgerNotes.com [https://www.badgernotes.com/]. Your support means the world to us and has helped us become the leading source for independent Wisconsin Badgers coverage. Get full access to Badgernotes at www.badgernotes.com/subscribe [https://www.badgernotes.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]