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MADISON, Wis., january 13, 2026 – A seismic shift rippled through college basketball on Saturday as Wisconsin delivered a stunning 91-88 road victory over No. 2 Michigan, handing the Wolverines their first loss of the season. The win wasn’t just a feather in the Badgers’ cap; it propelled them 13 spots up the NET rankings to No. 40 and injected new life into their postseason aspirations.The atmosphere in Ann Arbor was electric, but wisconsin silenced the crowd with a performance that screamed “Selection Sunday contender.”
Badgers Crack Bracketology as No. 10 Seed
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Wisconsin’s upset victory has them projected as a No. 10 seed in the latest bracket simulations.
- Despite a 1-5 record in Quad 1 games, Wisconsin boasts an unblemished 10-0 mark against Quad 2, 3, and 4 opponents.
- Michigan, despite the loss, remains a No. 1 seed, but their margin for error has considerably decreased.
- saint Louis and Texas are making strong cases for inclusion, while Kentucky faces mounting pressure.
Michigan’s impressive start to the season, fueled by dominant performances, had them comfortably positioned as a No. 1 seed in most bracket projections. Their NET ranking (currently No. 11) and strength of schedule reflect this success. However, the loss to Wisconsin, coupled with recent close calls, raises questions about their consistency. The Wolverines’ rankings, remarkably staying ahead of four undefeated high-major teams in both metrics. This speaks to the Wolverines’ dominant six-week stretch, which included six high-major victories by margins of 18 or more points. However, recent near-misses at Penn State and now the loss to Wisconsin signal potential vulnerabilities.
Kentucky’s Resume Takes a Hit
While Kentucky secured a dominant 92-68 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, their tournament resume actually took a step back. Their December 13th home victory over Indiana was downgraded from a Quad 1 to a Quad 2 win after the Hoosiers fell in the NET rankings following a loss to Nebraska. Similarly, Missouri’s recent struggles have impacted Kentucky’s January 7th loss to the Tigers, now considered a Quad 3 loss.
currently 10-6 overall and 1-2 in SEC play, Kentucky is a No. 10 seed heading into a crucial Wednesday matchup at LSU. The Tigers are among the “First Four Out,” making this game pivotal for both teams. A road game at Tennessee looms next, adding further pressure on the Wildcats to avoid another slip-up against a banged-up LSU squad.
Surging saint Louis
Saint Louis, led by head coach Josh Schertz and star player robbie Avila, is building a compelling tournament resume. The Billikens are now projected as a No. 7 seed after improving to 15-1 overall and 3-0 in A-10 play with an 84-72 win at La Salle on Saturday.Their only loss came in a one-point neutral-site contest against stanford, a team also currently in the bracketology field.
Navigating a challenging conference schedule remains the key for Saint Louis. They’ve already secured a crucial Quad 1 win on the road against VCU,and continuing that momentum will be vital as they aim to avoid the bubble heartbreak that Indiana State experienced last year with the same duo.
Texas’ pope is Preaching
Texas’ 92-88 victory at Alabama stands as one of the weekend’s most meaningful upsets, trailing only Wisconsin’s win over Michigan. The Longhorns desperately needed a win of this caliber to revitalize Year 1 of the Sean Miller era. When jordan Pope gets hot, watch out. He’s been lethal from beyond the arc in Texas’ two Quad 1 victories, shooting 13-of-26 from three-point range and scoring 28 points in both games.
The Longhorns (10-6
