STEVE MEGARGEE
FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz says his confidence hasn’t

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski celebrates while cutting down the net after Duke defeated Arkansas in a college basketball game in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA men's tournament in San Francisco, Saturday, March 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
What you need to know about each team in the Final Four

By Steve Megargee Mar. 30, 2022 02:39 AM EDT
There’s no room for a surprise team at this Final Four. Duke, North

Duke's Paolo Banchero (5) hugs head coach Mike Krzyzewski after a win over Michigan State in a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Sweet 16: How each team got through in March Madness

By Steve Megargee Mar. 22, 2022 05:30 PM EDT
The second week of the NCAA Tournament is when the Sweet 16 gets reduced to the Final

Iowa forward Keegan Murray is fouled by Purdue center Zach Edey, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue flexing muscles as it seeks elusive Final Four berth

By Steve Megargee Mar. 21, 2022 05:51 PM EDT
Purdue is using its extraordinary size to push around opponents, dominate the boards

Purdue's Trevion Williams gets past Texas's Brock Cunningham during the first half of a second-round NCAA college basketball tournament game Sunday, March 20, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Purdue finally solves Beard in March, beats Texas 81-71

By Steve Megargee Mar. 20, 2022 11:55 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Purdue’s Jaden Ivey had to hear from Courtney Ramey all night as

Texas head coach Chris Beard reacts during the first half of a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Virginia Tech Friday, March 18, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
NCAA East preview: Beard, Painter meet again in March

By Steve Megargee Mar. 19, 2022 06:04 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Texas’ Chris Beard has beaten Matt Painter’s Purdue teams twice in

Colgate's Nelly Cummings drives by Wisconsin's Tyler Wahl during the first half of a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game Friday, March 18, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin outlasts Colgate 67-60 as Davis leads comeback

By Steve Megargee Mar. 19, 2022 01:00 AM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Johnny Davis offered a simple explanation for how Wisconsin stepped

Texas's Marcus Carr celebrates after making the final shot in the first half of a first round NCAA college basketball tournament game against Virginia Tech Friday, March 18, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Texas beats Hokies 81-73 for 1st NCAA tourney win since 2014

By Steve Megargee Mar. 18, 2022 07:23 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Texas’ Marcus Carr says he doesn’t leave the gym on most practice

Virginia Tech's Justyn Mutts (25) celebrates after winning against Duke in the NCAA college basketball championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in New York. Virginia Tech won, 82-67. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
East Preview: Virginia Tech eager to build on its momentum

By Steve Megargee Mar. 17, 2022 05:29 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Virginia Tech has been playing do-or-die games for the last week and

New Mexico State guard Teddy Allen celebrates after the team's victory over Abilene Christian in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of Western Athletic Conference men's tournament Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Williams ready to help Murray State deliver in March again

By Steve Megargee Mar. 17, 2022 05:16 AM EDT
KJ Williams was playing a supporting role for Murray State a few years ago when Ja

Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis (1) drives past Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
March Madness: Wisconsin's Johnny Davis rises to stardom

By Steve Megargee Mar. 16, 2022 02:49 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis drives to the basket with the same

Arizona's Dalen Terry (4) celebrates after a play against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Pac-12 tournament Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Now that NCAA brackets are out, here's what you should know

By Steve Megargee Mar. 13, 2022 07:38 PM EDT
After the pandemic shut things down in 2020 and severely restricted the number of

Wake Forest's Daivien Williamson (4) shoots past Boston College's James Karnik (33) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
BUBBLE WATCH: Michigan-Indiana game critical for both teams

By Steve Megargee Mar. 10, 2022 02:42 AM EST
A look at Thursday for bubble teams chasing NCAA Tournament bids: GAME

Nebraska's Trey McGowens (2) fouls Wisconsin's Johnny Davis (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Madison, Wis. McGowens was charged with a flagrant foul on the play. Nebraska won 74-73. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Badgers' Davis expects to play this week despite 'dirty' hit

By Steve Megargee Mar. 09, 2022 05:54 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin star Johnny Davis says he expects to play in the Big

Michigan head coach Juwan Howard reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)
Focus of Big Ten Tournament: Howard's return, Davis' health

By Steve Megargee Mar. 08, 2022 05:13 PM EST
Michigan coach Juwan Howard’s return and Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis’ injury are the

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) drives past Rutgers guard Geo Baker during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Wisconsin's faith in freshman guard Hepburn has huge payoff

By Steve Megargee Mar. 04, 2022 06:25 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin showed its confidence in Chucky Hepburn months ago by

Purdue center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
NBA Prospect Watch: Defense main concern for Big Ten bigs

By Steve Megargee Mar. 02, 2022 03:09 PM EST
The extraordinary height of Purdue’s Zach Edey makes it difficult for anyone to stop

Wisconsin's Tyler Wahl, left, shoots against Purdue's Sasha Stefanovic, front, and Zach Edey, rear, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 10 Badgers nip No. 8 Purdue for share of Big Ten title

By Steve Megargee Mar. 01, 2022 11:40 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Chucky Hepburn tried to keep a straight face as the freshman

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
No. 10 Wisconsin succeeding at record rate in close games

By Steve Megargee Feb. 28, 2022 06:29 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin leads the Big Ten and has emerged as one of college

Wisconsin and Michigan players and coaches are involved in a scuffle with Michigan head coach Juwan Howard during the waning moments of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)
Michigan coach Howard hits Wisconsin assistant after a loss

By Steve Megargee Feb. 20, 2022 03:29 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Angry about Wisconsin calling a late timeout, Michigan coach