Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the look of next year's Badgers basketball team -- how different it will be without Ethan Happ and whose development will be the most crucial. How does he evaluate the 2019 season. Was it fair to call it "ugly basketball?" How did Tyler Herro's change to Kentucky impact this team? What should we expect from Micah Potter and Tyler Wahl next year? What's the rationale behind Tai Strickland's departure?  Finally, Jeff discusses his takeaways from a conversation with Dick Bennett after his son, Tony, and Virginia clinched a spot in the 2019 Final Four, and he gives some early thoughts from Badgers football spring practice.  Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com.

Wisconsin Badgers Podcast

04.03.2019: Look ahead to next year's Badgers basketball team

Jake Kocorowski of Bucky's 5th Quarter swings by to preview the NCAA Tournament, with fifth-seeded Wisconsin slated to face Oregon for the third time in six NCAA tourneys. Can the Badgers work deep into the dance despite their flaws? How does the matchup break down (along with the potential Kansas State battle in the second round)? Plus, a look back at the classic 2014 tilt between Oregon and Wisconsin. Then, Ben Steele of the Journal Sentinel stops by (30:00) to talk Marquette, also a fifth seed headed to Hartford to meet Murray State in a showcase of top individual players Markus Howard and Ja Morant. What's behind the team's late-season struggles, is Howard healthy and if this team doesn't work deep into the dance … what about next year? Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com.

03.19.2019: Your full-fledged NCAA Tournament preview with Badgers talk (and a little Marquette, too)

Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus discusses Wisconsin's zany finish to the regular season against Ohio State and looks ahead to the Big Ten tournament. How will Wisconsin get past Maryland (if they play) and Michigan State (if Indiana doesn't get there first)? Which Badgers player got snubbed for Big Ten postseason hardware, and what's the legacy of Ethan Happ now that his career is coming to a close? What type of team will give the Badgers problems in the NCAA Tournament? Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com.

03.14.2019: Previewing the Big Ten tourney and a wild regular-season finish

Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the big news that Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook is leaving the football program, and how many names should realistically be in the hunt to replace him. Yes, the name Graham Mertz is said more than once. What's Hornibrook's legacy in Madison? With the NFL Combine under way this week, which Badgers participant is likely to have the best NFL career? But it's March, so we we have to talk basketball. The Badgers will look to finish strong and secure a top-four bye in the upcoming Big Ten tournament. What's to be done about Ethan Happ's significant foul-shooting issues, and who needs to rise up aside from Happ and D'Mitrik Trice? Jeff and JR also look back at the Indiana loss and assess what could make this team a second-weekend squad in the NCAA Tourney ... or a first-round exit. Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com.

03.01.2019: Alex Hornibrook departs and March Madness begins

Nearly two decades ago, the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team made an improbable run to the Final Four and set the table for a cycle of success that featured 19 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament for a program that was seldom a qualifier for the Big Dance beforehand. Hear from players on that team -- Mike Kelley, Andy Kowske, Mark Vershaw, Jon Bryant and Maurice Linton -- as well as coach Dick Bennett. They think back to those four wins in March and subsequent loss in the national semifinal and attempt to paint a picture of how a team without any all-conference players could have huge postseason success.  Audio clips from NCAA on YouTube. Music: Scott Holmes, "Driven To Success" available at freemusicarchive.org.

Special episode: Look back at the 2000 Final Four run with Dick Bennett and members of the team

It's been nearly two decades since the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team went on a crazy run to the Final Four, employing its airtight defense and cadre of blue-collar Midwesterners who weren't destined for NBA greatness. Host JR Radcliffe sits down with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel colleague Mark Stewart to discuss the 2000 Final Four run. What were the memories from that surreal March Madness scene? COMING NEXT WEEK: A series of interviews with players from that team, including Mike Kelley, Dick Bennett, Andy Kowske, Mark Vershaw, Jon Bryant and Maurice Linton. Download the mp3 file here, listen to the stream here or below, or subscribe to it in the Apple Podcasts or Stitcher stores.  Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com.

02.14.2019: Revisiting the 1999-2000 Final Four Badgers with Mark Stewart

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus checks in on the Badgers basketball team one day before UW takes on Michigan in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin, once teetering in its NCAA Tournament candidacy, is now contending for a Big Ten title and riding a six-game winning streak. What's made the defense work so well? Is Ethan Happ a national Player of the Year candidate? What was the atmosphere like at the Kohl Center during last Friday's win over Maryland? Can this team actually win the Big Ten? What does Jeff think about Kobe King, Aleem Ford and Khalil Iverson? Music intro: "Rumble" available at https://www.bensound.com

02.08.2019: How have the Badgers become a legit Big Ten title contender?

Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus checks in on the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team, bouncing back from two tough losses with a satisfying win over Penn State. Was that as must-win as it felt? Is D'Mitrik Trice the key to the whole thing? Is it a pretty simple equation in the Big Ten -- Michigan, Michigan State and everyone else? What did Jeff think of the clunker against Minnesota? Then, one last look at the Badgers football team, looking at what's ahead now that Tyler Biadasz is coming back for another year on the offensive line. What exactly are the chances of star recruit Graham Mertz competing for that starting quarterback spot? Plus, some memories of Joe Thomas, a newly announced member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

01.08.2019: Badgers hoops sure needed that Penn State win, and Graham Mertz mania

As if the 2018 season weren't already bad enough, the Badgers lay an egg at home against Minnesota and yield Paul Bunyan's Axe for the first time since 2003. Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus joins host JR Radcliffe to answer if this is the most disappointing team he's seen, with more on potential bowl destinations, Alex Hornibrook's uneven return, special teams struggles and the future of defensive standouts TJ Edwards and Ryan Connelly. Jeff also discusses the Badgers basketball team's fruitful showing at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas and the return of Aleem Ford. Could this squad be a sleeper for the Big Ten title? Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

11.26.2018: Loss of Paul Bunyan's Axe makes 2018 a special brand of frustrating

Jonathan Taylor ran for 321 yards and three touchdowns in a stirring triple-overtime win over Purdue; where does he rank among the best ever Badgers to tow the rock? Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus swings by to chat about that and more, including a zany win, a huge performance by Andrew Van Ginkel, the next step for quarterback Jack Coan and the battle against Purdue phenom Rondale Moore. Also, a look ahead to the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe.  Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

11.19.2018: Where does Jonathan Taylor rank among the best Badgers RBs ever?

With another loss at the hands of Penn State, the 6-4 Badgers have been a disappointment, so what's left to look for in the final two regular-season games? Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus takes a look at the game and the overall state of the football squad, taking a look at the offensive line, quarterback Jack Coan, Zack Baun, Jonathan Taylor, the injured Olive Sagapolu and more. Could Northwestern give Michigan or Ohio State a run for its money in Indy? On the basketball court, is it possible Ethan Happ has gotten even better after starting the year with a triple double? And do the Badgers have a real chance against Xavier on Tuesday? Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

11.13.2018: What's left to watch for now that the Big Ten title is off the table?

Wisconsin took care of business against Rutgers on Saturday, but injuries continued to be a central story and the Badgers couldn't engineer a dominant showing against a lower-tier Big Ten team.  Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the injury to quarterback Alex Hornibrook and his replacement, Jack Coan. Is Jonathan Taylor in the awards conversation after another huge rushing performance? How did the defensive line look without injured nose tackle Olive Sagapolu. Now that the Badgers are bowl eligible, what are a couple potential postseason landing spots? What does Bucky need to beat Penn State? Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

11.06.2018: Still looking for that next gear after win over Rutgers

The Wisconsin Badgers football team took another one on the chin with a 31-17 loss at Northwestern, the Badgers' third loss of the season and potentially the most damaging. Badgers beat reporter Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel checks in to discuss the play of quarterback Jack Coan in a spot start for injured Alex Hornibrook, the rough go for running back Jonathan Taylor and the recurring injury theme, now with two new additions to the infirmary: Cole Van Lanen and Olive Sagapolu. Also, now that it appears a Big Ten West title is a long shot, what was it that we over-estimated in giving the Badgers so much preseason hype? Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

10.29.2018: Thoughts on Jack Coan, Jonathan Taylor and if there's any hope for a Big Ten title

Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus looks back at the Illinois game, analyzing the work of the patched-up secondary, the rise of Evan Bondoc and the role of TJ Edwards. Plus, how does he evaluate the receiving corps as it works to get into another gear, what's the landscape of the Big Ten West after Purdue's big win and a look ahead to Northwestern. And just for fun, a question about the Badgers basketball team. Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

10.23.2018: Turnovers galore, and how did the secondary fare against Illinois?

Journal Sentinel beat reporter Ben Steele -- filling in for an ailing Jeff Potrykus -- joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss Wisconsin's 38-13 loss to Michigan, the latest chapter of a struggle-filled 2018 season for the Badgers. What did Ben make of Alex Hornibrook's tough game? What about the patched up secondary? What was the mood after the loss, and where does Wisconsin go from here? Music available at http://freesound.org (Rhythm 1 Dist Gated - 95 BPM by Khoon and American Football Match by barcelonetasonora).

10.16.2018: Loss to Michigan puts dagger into CFP hopes

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jeff Potrykus joins host JR Radcliffe to analyze Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball.

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Wisconsin Badgers Podcast

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