Wisconsin basketball supporters are once again mentally preparing for an inevitable letdown. Following their embarrassingly shocking loss to Iowa on Saturday, fans were in a state of open rebellion. Can we really blame them? The team’s recent performance has been abysmal, winning only one out of their last six games after being ranked sixth in the nation. It remains to be seen if a team has ever plummeted from a top-six ranking in February to missing the tournament entirely. This question may soon be answered in a couple of weeks.
While I found amusement in the reactions on social media over the weekend, there is now a more foreboding sentiment sweeping through the fanbase. The pressing question is: how many of the remaining games can the 17-9 Badgers actually win? With matchups against Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Rutgers, and Purdue still to come, the team faces a challenging five-game stretch to salvage a season that has already gone off the rails.
Curiosity led me to peruse a Reddit thread filled with predictions for the rest of the season, and the general consensus is not optimistic. Take a look at some of the reactions below:
[Insert reactions from Reddit thread]
While there were a few individuals who remained hopeful, the overwhelming majority of comments reflect the prevailing sentiment among fans. Greg Gard, who was once able to win back the support of Badgers fans, now finds his seat growing warmer within the span of just two weeks. As a lifelong Wisconsin fan, I can honestly say that I have never witnessed anything quite like this.
Is Greg Gard’s job in jeopardy?
As for my own prediction, I unfortunately believe that the Badgers will only win one more game for the remainder of the season, and that would be the matchup against Maryland. In the other four games, they are likely to be considered underdogs. If Wisconsin finishes the regular season with a disappointing 18-13 record after closing out 1-4, fans will undoubtedly call for Gard’s dismissal, and it might become a reality. One thing is certain: something needs to change, and it needs to happen urgently. So, let’s continue to enjoy the rollercoaster ride, because at least the downfall provides good material! Share your thoughts on the Badgers with me at David.Hookstead@
According to the Source outkick.com