The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball fell out of the top 25 in the final Associated Press men’s college basketball rankings.
The Badgers fell from No. 23 in the final rankings before the NCAA Tournament to receiving votes nearly three weeks removed from their season collapsing in a 72-61 upset loss to No. 12 James Madison in their first March Madness game.
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National runner-up Purdue was the top Big Ten team, finishing at No. 2. Illinois finished at No. 6 with Northwestern, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers all receiving votes along with the Badgers (who earned 27 points in the rankings) in the final rankings of the season.
Wisconsin, after several weeks out of the rankings, earned its spot back in the rankings following a run at the Big Ten Tournament which looked to rekindle some mid-season momentum that once had the Badgers ranked as high as No. 6.
But their stay in Brooklyn, New York — their host site for the NCAA Tournament’s first and second rounds — was short. The Badgers fell behind 18-5 against the Dukes. The same slow starts that had plagued the Badgers during a 2-6 February came back at the worst possible moment for Wisconsin, ending its return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence in its first game.
Despite an improved Big Ten finish and a return to March Madness, the offseason began quickly.
The transfer departures are coupled with the Badgers remaining on the hunt for an assistant coach, as former Wisconsin assistant Dean Oliver announced he wouldn’t return to the program for an eighth season on the Badgers bench. A source close to the men’s basketball program told BadgerExtra that Oliver’s contract was not renewed.
Even with the departures, Wisconsin can still return as many as three starters and eight players who were consistently members of its rotation by season’s end.
Chucky Hepburn is one of three starters slated to return to the Badgers in 2024-25.
The Badgers will add two freshmen — guard Daniel Freitag and forward Jack Robison — which leaves them with two open scholarships to build their roster through the transfer portal or other means this offseason. The window in which players are able to enter the transfer portal closes May 1.
AP college men’s basketball rankings for April 9, 2024
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Record | Points | Previous |
| 1. | Uconn (58) | 37-3 | 1450 | 1 |
| 2. | Purdue | 34-5 | 1386 | 3 |
| 3. | Alabama | 25-12 | 1217 | 19 |
| 3. | Houston | 32-5 | 1217 | 2 |
| 5. | Tennessee | 27-9 | 1203 | 6 |
| 6. | Illinois | 29-9 | 1095 | 10 |
| 7. | North Carolina | 29-8 | 1048 | 5 |
| 8. | Iowa State | 29-8 | 1012 | 4 |
| 9. | Duke | 27-9 | 982 | 13 |
| 10. | North Carolina State | 26-15 | 928 | NR |
| 11. | Arizona | 27-9 | 828 | 9 |
| 12. | Marquette | 27-10 | 825 | 8 |
| 13. | Creighton | 25-10 | 797 | 11 |
| 14. | Clemson | 24-12 | 740 | NR |
| 15. | Gonzaga | 27-8 | 684 | 18 |
| 16. | Baylor | 24-11 | 535 | 14 |
| 17. | San Diego State | 26-11 | 505 | 24 |
| 18. | Auburn | 27-8 | 467 | 7 |
| 19. | Kansas | 23-11 | 265 | 17 |
| 20. | Kentucky | 23-10 | 242 | 12 |
| 21. | Saint Mary’s | 26-8 | 207 | 15 |
| 22. | Utah State | 28-7 | 186 | 20 |
| 23. | Washington State | 25-10 | 135 | 25 |
| 24. | South Carolina | 26-8 | 117 | 16 |
| 25. | Dayton | 25-8 | 112 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 87, Oregon 77, Colorado 75, BYU 71, Texas 62, James Madison 61, Seton Hall 39, Grand Canyon 37, Wisconsin 27, Northwestern 23, Texas Tech 19, Indiana St 18, Miami 13, Michigan St. 12, Duquesne 9, Yale 7, Arkansas 6, New Mexico 6, Colorado St. 5, Maryland 5, Florida 4, Rutgers 2, Oakland 1, Nevada 1.
Photos: Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin men’s basketball coaching career
Former Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan visits with Conner Essegian, left, and Max Klesmit during a 2023 practice at the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion.
Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Greg Gard, left, and former coach Bo Ryan converse during a 2023 practice at the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan and his team leave the floor celebrating their win over the Oregon in the 2014 NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker and coach Bo Ryan laugh during a 2015 news conference in Los Angeles.
Former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan embraces his wife, Kelly, during a 2021 halftime ceremony honoring his coaching accomplishments at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan questions a call during the second half of Wisconsin’s 68-67 loss to UW-Milwaukee in a 2015 game at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan is honored for his 700th win before a 2014 exhibition game against UW-Parkside at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan reacts during the second half of the Badgers’ 72-65 win over the Oregon Ducks in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament in Omaha, Neb.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan shake hands at half court after Duke’s 80-70 win over Wisconsin in a 2014 game at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan cuts down the net after the Badgers defeated Arizona in overtime in the 2014 NCAA Tournament in Anaheim, Calif.
Wisconsin’s Joe Krabbenhoft embraces coach Bo Ryan after leaving the court in the second half of the Badgers’ 85-61 win over Indiana in a 2009 game at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan talks with his players during a practice at the 2008 NCAA Tournament in Omaha, Neb.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, left, greets Purdue coach Gene Keady after Wisconsin beat Purdue 64-52 in their 2005 game in Madison. It was Keady’s final game in the regular season.
Bo Ryan announces his retirement during a 2015 news conference at the Kohl Center.
Players lift Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan after defeating Arizona in a 2014 NCAA Tournament game in Anaheim, Calif.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan yells after he was called for a technical foul for during the second half of their 2004 game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan acknowledges the crowd during a 2014 Kohl Center celebration event marking the team’s upcoming NCAA Final Four appearance.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan cuts down the last portion of the net after the team won the 2015 Big Ten Conference title with a 68-61 win over Michigan State at the Kohl Center.
Bo Ryan screams at a referee during thethe first half of a 2022 NCAA Tournament game against Maryland in Washington.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan consoles players as they leave the floor after their loss to Kentucky in a 2014 Final Four game in Arlington, Texas.
Wisconsin’s coach Bo Ryan buries his face in his hands during the final minutes of a 2006 loss to Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, accompanied by his wife, Kelley, speaks at a 2007 halftime ceremony dedicating Bo Ryan Court at the Williams Fieldhouse on the University of Wisconsin Platteville campus.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan sits for a portrait in his Kohl Center office during the 2013 season.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, left, and assistant Greg Guard pose for a photo before the 2015-16 season.
Bo Ryan answers questions during his 2001 introductory news conference.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan gives an earful to a referee during a 2002 win over Illinois at the Kohl Center.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell talks to Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan before a 2015 baseball game in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan reacts to the winning 3-point shot with 1 second left to beat Tulsa in the second round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, left, with his father, Butch Ryan, after the Badgers beat NC State in a 2005 NCAA Tournament game in Syracuse, N.Y.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan walks to the floor for an open practice during the 2014 NCAA Tournament in Arlington, Texas.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan acknowledges members of the media before boarding a flight to the 2014 Final Four.
Wisconsin seniors J.D. Wise, from left, Dan Fahey, Ryan Evans, Mike Bruesewitz and Jared Bergrren stand with their framed jerseys while joined by coach Bo Ryan before a 2013 game at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan smiles as the clock runs down during the second half of a 2011 win over Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan talks about the team’s game against Kansas State in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament in Omaha, Neb.
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan and his wife, Kelley, join players and their families to watch the 2004 NCAA Tournament selection show in Indianapolis.