The Badgers should enter the season as a Top 25 team. But, where will they be ranked?
The Wisconsin Badgers are full steam ahead for the 2025-26 season after the commitment of Temple transfer forward Elijah Gray on Tuesday.
Gray was the final addition to the roster, getting Wisconsin to 15 total players, with 14 on scholarship and Isaac Gard as the lone walk-on for 2025.
Now, the Badgers have a good sense of what their rotation and team should look like entering the season, with roles becoming more defined when training camp begins in the fall.
With Wisconsin’s roster fully finalized, where should they rank in a way-too-early Top 25 power rankings?
ESPN revealed its latest update in its power rankings to account for late additions and subtractions, and the Badgers ended up at No. 20, the same spot as before.
Wisconsin ranked as the No. 5 team in the Big Ten in the rankings, with Purdue (No. 1), Michigan (No. 8), UCLA (No. 15), and Illinois (No. 16) all ahead of the Badgers.
Each of the five teams was active in the transfer portal, landing a notable starter to help them this season.
Purdue went after South Dakota State center Oscar Cluff, who averaged 17.7 points per game last season. Michigan got projected first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg to pair with Elliott Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. in the portal. UCLA landed New Mexico star point guard Donovan Dent.
Illinois, on the other hand, went the overseas route, landing point guard Mihailo Petrovic to run the show. But, they also made notable additions with Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic and Arkansas transfer Zvonimir Ivisic.
Wisconsin finished the cycle with five transfers. Guard Nick Boyd, wing Andrew Rohde, and forward Austin Rapp all project as starters. Guard Braeden Carrington and forward Elijah Gray should play meaningful roles off the bench.
They complement a strong group of returnees headlined by John Blackwell, as well as four freshmen looking to make their mark early on the roster.
Wisconsin looks much different than it did in 2024-25. But, they’ve reloaded and are ready to be a top-25 team once again.