UW Badgers men earn No. 5 seed, to face Washington or USC

(UW ATHLETICS) – The Wisconsin men’s basketball team earned the No. 5 seed in the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament presented by TIAA and will play on Thursday at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT at the United Center in Chicago. 

The Badgers (22-9, 14-6 Big Ten), will take on the winner of No. 12 seed Washington and No. 13 seed USC live on Big Ten Network. Fans can also listen to the action on the Badger Radio Network as Matt Lepay and Brian Butch will have the call.  

This marks UW’s 29th Big Ten tournament and its fourth as the No. 5 seed. Wisconsin has been the No. 5 seed the last two years and has made it to the Big Ten title game each time. 

The Badgers are looking for their fourth Big Ten tournament title, winning the title in 2004, 2008 and in 2015.