Badgers drop out of AP top-25 poll for first time all season

For the first time all season, the Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team fell out of the Associated Press top-25 poll Monday.

After being ranked 25th last week, the Badgers lost 73-69 to No. 23 Purdue on Tuesday and 77-73 to fifth-ranked Iowa on Sunday.

More Badgers coverage

Head coach Greg Gard’s squad received 24 votes in the poll, which trailed four other unranked teams — BYU (93), Oregon (67), Connecticut (53) and Clemson (25).

Wisconsin has lost three straight games overall and eight consecutive contests against ranked opponents. The Badgers’ last win over a top-25 foe was a 71-59 victory over then-No. 21 Minnesota. Since then, the Gophers have plummeted to a 13-14 record (6-14 Big Ten).

In the opening week of the AP top-25 poll this season, the Badgers were ranked seventh, and Wisconsin rose all the way up to No. 4 after a 3-1 start. It’s been a free fall for the Badgers ever since they were ranked No. 6 on Dec. 28.

With the regular season behind them, the Badgers (16-11, 10-10) prepare for the Big Ten tournament. On Thursday, Wisconsin will battle the winner of Wednesday’s first-round matchup between Nebraska and Penn State.

If Wisconsin can advance past the Cornhuskers or Nittany Lions, a rematch against Iowa awaits in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday.