Episodes

  • Ep. 74 - Badgers BLASTED by Ohio State… Cause for Concern? | Ben Brust Joins + Wisconsin March Fixes

    Ep. 74 - Badgers BLASTED by Ohio State… Cause for Concern? | Ben Brust Joins + Wisconsin March Fixes
    Feb 19 2026
    The Wisconsin Badgers followed up a MASSIVE 92-71 win over Michigan State by getting brought back to Earth in an 86-69 loss to Ohio State. Is this just a bump in the road… or something bigger to worry about heading into March? On today’s episode of The Jump Around, we break down: 🏀 What went wrong against the Buckeyes 📊 Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament seeding outlook (Joe Lunardi #7, CBS #8) 🔧 The THREE biggest things Greg Gard’s team must fix before March 🎥 Biggest takeaway from A Road At Night 🥇 Badgers playing for gold 🔥 Electric Final Four debate Plus — Badgers legend Ben Brust joins at 1PM to talk Wisconsin hoops, tournament expectations, and more. Is this team still built for a Sweet 16 run?
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    55 mins
  • Ep. 73 - Is Wisconsin a REAL Sweet 16 Team? Badgers Shock #8 Illinois + Jeff Grimes & Matt Mitchell

    Ep. 73 - Is Wisconsin a REAL Sweet 16 Team? Badgers Shock #8 Illinois + Jeff Grimes & Matt Mitchell
    Feb 12 2026
    Wisconsin basketball just made a statement. After a controversial loss at Indiana, the Badgers responded by knocking off #8 Illinois in overtime — adding it to a growing list of HUGE road wins, including #2 Michigan. But here’s the real question: 👉 Is Wisconsin more likely to make the Sweet 16… or MISS the tournament entirely? We break down: Wisconsin’s tournament ceiling What the Illinois win really means Joe Lunardi & CBS seeding projections Whether this team is built for March Greg Gard’s elite troll moment The Badgers’ portal success PLUS — two major football interviews: 🏈 Matt Mitchell (OLB/Special Teams coach) 🏈 Jeff Grimes (Offensive Coordinator) We dive into: Wisconsin’s defensive culture Offensive identity moving forward The Badgers’ offseason direction Drop your take in the comments: Sweet 16 run… or early exit?
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Ep. 72 - COACHING vs RECRUITING... What’s Gone Wrong at Wisconsin + Riley Nowakowski Joins!

    Ep. 72 - COACHING vs RECRUITING... What’s Gone Wrong at Wisconsin + Riley Nowakowski Joins!
    Feb 12 2026
    On today’s episode of The Jump Around, we dig into the decline of Badgers in the NFL, the lack of Wisconsin players in the Super Bowl, and what it says about the direction of the football and basketball programs. We break down NFL Draft results since 2020, examine Luke Fickell’s record and recruiting, and ask the tough question: 👉 Is Wisconsin’s recent struggle about recruiting, coaching, or something deeper? We also turn the focus to Greg Gard and Wisconsin basketball, looking at NCAA Tournament results, Sweet 16 droughts, and whether the Badgers are falling short in March because of personnel or crunch-time coaching. Plus: 🔍 How many wins does Luke Fickell need in 2026 to keep his job? 📉 Why has Wisconsin produced fewer high-impact pros in recent years? 🗣️ A lively Twitter Portal with fan-submitted questions 🏆 National champion Riley Nowakowski joins us to talk Indiana’s magical run, Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza, and what it’s like to win it all 📍 LIVE on the ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee YouTube channels 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — recruiting, coaching, or both?
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    54 mins
  • Ep. 71 - Wisconsin’s 2026 Football Schedule Is OUT — Are The Badgers An 8-Win Team?!

    Ep. 71 - Wisconsin’s 2026 Football Schedule Is OUT — Are The Badgers An 8-Win Team?!
    Jan 29 2026
    The Wisconsin Badgers’ 2026 football schedule is officially here, and it raises a big question — is this finally the year Wisconsin takes a real step forward? On today’s episode of The Jump Around, we break down every game on the Badgers’ schedule, debate whether this is the easiest path to 8 wins in years, and discuss what it all means for Luke Fickell and the program moving forward. 🔹 Full 2026 Wisconsin Football Schedule Breakdown 🔹 Is this an 8-win team… or are expectations too high? 🔹 Badgers basketball rallies from 20 down vs Minnesota — encouraging sign or red flag? 🔹 Six Badgers shine in Senior Bowl showcase games — who has the best NFL future? 🔹 JJ Watt weighs in on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub 🔹 Twitter Portal chaos: Notre Dame fans, Minnesota slander & more 📍 LIVE on ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee 👍 Like, subscribe, and comment — do YOU see 8 wins on this schedule?
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    37 mins
  • Ep. 70 - Luke Fickell BREAKS DOWN Wisconsin Badgers NIL, Recruiting & the Portal | Full Reaction

    Ep. 70 - Luke Fickell BREAKS DOWN Wisconsin Badgers NIL, Recruiting & the Portal | Full Reaction
    Jan 22 2026
    Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell joined Wilde & Tausch this morning — and The Jump Around is spending the entire show reacting to his most revealing comments yet. -Jim, Pablo, and Riley break down Fickell’s candid thoughts on: -Wisconsin’s aggressive but disciplined transfer portal approach -Why he never wants NIL to just be about money -Agents setting “markets” that may not be real -Why this era has no rules and demands constant adaptability -Building culture through honesty, relationships, and trust -Why Indiana’s title run matters — and why talent alone isn’t everything -His belief that college football is the greatest team sport known to man -What Colton Joseph and Wisconsin’s recruiting strategy say about the future -Why this is now a “grown man’s league” If you want the full context behind Wisconsin’s offseason mindset — straight from Fickell himself — this is a must-watch breakdown for Badgers fans. 🔴 LIVE on the ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee YouTube channels 🦡 The Jump Around — Wisconsin’s Badgers-dedicated show
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    35 mins
  • Ep. 69 - ARE WE BACK? Badgers Basketball Surges, Luke Fickell vs Curt Cignetti, & Freddie Owens Joins!

    Ep. 69 - ARE WE BACK? Badgers Basketball Surges, Luke Fickell vs Curt Cignetti, & Freddie Owens Joins!
    Jan 15 2026
    Momentum is finally building in Madison — and The Jump Around breaks it all down. On today’s episode of Wisconsin’s Badgers-dedicated show, we ask the big question: are the Badgers actually back? After a stunning turnaround on the hardwood and renewed frustration on the football side, there’s plenty to unpack. 🏀 Wisconsin Basketball: Are We Back? Three straight wins following the Purdue blowout Victories over UCLA, #2 Michigan, and Minnesota John Blackwell’s buzzer-beater — signature moment or turning point? What actually changed during this stretch? 🏈 Wisconsin vs Indiana Football Indiana Hoosiers playing for a national title sparks debate Is Curt Cignetti’s model repeatable? Should Wisconsin Badgers follow a similar blueprint? 👀 Watchability Meter Rutgers @ Penn State USC Which games are worth circling on the calendar? 🎥 Clip of the Week **Barry Alvarez’s National Championship preview Predictions for Monday night 🐦 Twitter Portal Chaos Blackwell’s buzzer-beater comparisons Healing signs for humanity How do you feel about the Badgers’ loss to Indiana now? 🎙 Special Guest: Freddie Owens 3× Big Ten Champion at Wisconsin Hit the iconic Sweet 16-clinching three vs Tulsa Former coach at Holy Cross, Montana, & UW-Green Bay Author of Echoes of Stark Park (releasing February)
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    49 mins
  • Ep. 68 - Does Wisconsin’s Portal Class Make You Believe In The Badgers Again? 👀 | Mason Posa Joins!

    Ep. 68 - Does Wisconsin’s Portal Class Make You Believe In The Badgers Again? 👀 | Mason Posa Joins!
    Jan 9 2026
    Wisconsin is making serious noise in the transfer portal, and one of the Badgers’ rising stars believes it’s only the beginning 👀 🏈 Star LB Mason Posa joins The Jump Around and delivers a powerful message to players considering Wisconsin Badgers — including why this roster can compete for the College Football Playoff. We also break down: 🔁 Wisconsin’s HOT start in the transfer portal (21 incoming transfers) ⭐ Big-name additions like QB Colton Joseph, RB Abu Sama III, and CB Bryce West 🤔 Is Badgers basketball still #InGardWeTrust? 🎙️ Kelly Sheffield’s blunt comments on transfers & agents 🐦 Twitter Portal reactions you have to hear 📌 Mason Posa accolades: 2025 Freshman All-American 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team ⬇️ Drop your thoughts below ⬇️ Does this portal class make you believe in Wisconsin football again… or do you need to see it on the field first? 🔴⚪️ New episodes of The Jump Around stream live on the ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee YouTube channels every Thursday at 12:30!
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • EXTRA: Badgers Are HEATING UP in the Portal: Wisconsin's Class Cracks Top-8, More Additions & What It Means

    EXTRA: Badgers Are HEATING UP in the Portal: Wisconsin's Class Cracks Top-8, More Additions & What It Means
    Jan 9 2026
    Wisconsin’s transfer portal run keeps rolling, and The Jump Around is here to break it all down. The Badgers now sit with the No. 8 transfer portal class in the country (per 247Sports) after adding even more talent, including offensive lineman Blake Cherry from Arkansas and cornerback Bryce West from Ohio State. On this episode, Jim, Pablo, & Riley dive into: 🔄 Wisconsin’s explosive start in the transfer portal 📈 Moving into the top-8 nationally in portal rankings 🧱 Blake Cherry (Arkansas) and how he fits into the Badgers’ offensive line rebuild 🛡 Bryce West (Ohio State) and what he brings to a retooled secondary 🏈 Previously added portal standouts: QB Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) RB Abu Sama III (Iowa State) WR Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State) 🧠 What this portal approach says about Wisconsin’s offseason philosophy Is this the most aggressive portal stretch in Wisconsin football history? Are the Badgers finally adapting to the modern era of roster building? 📺 Watch now on ESPN Madison’s YouTube channel 💬 Drop your grade for Wisconsin’s portal class in the comments 👍 Like, subscribe, and follow for more Badgers football breakdowns
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    19 mins