Why an injury cost the Badgers their desired draw in the NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most thrilling and unpredictable events in all of sports, with each game holding immense weight as teams battle for supremacy. For the Wisconsin Badgers, the road to the NCAA Tournament was one marked by hard-fought victories, strategic brilliance, and relentless teamwork. However, despite all their efforts throughout the regular season and into the postseason, the Badgers’ anticipated success in the 2025 NCAA Tournament was significantly hampered due to one critical factor: injury.

In the world of college basketball, a single injury can change the trajectory of a team’s season. The Wisconsin Badgers, a team built on a deep roster and strong leadership, found themselves in a precarious position when one of their key players suffered a devastating injury just before the NCAA Tournament. This setback not only affected their performance on the court but also derailed their intended path in the bracket, with their hopes for a deep run dashed prematurely.

This article delves into the unfortunate injury that impacted the Wisconsin Badgers during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the ramifications for their intended draw, and how the team tried to overcome the adversity. It will also explore the challenges the Badgers faced without one of their star players, and how this injury illustrates the fine margins that can define success or failure in March Madness.

The Wisconsin Badgers: A Team Built for Tournament Success

Before the injury that shook their NCAA Tournament dreams, the Wisconsin Badgers had positioned themselves as a formidable contender. Under the leadership of head coach Greg Gard, the Badgers had built a reputation for being one of the most disciplined and fundamentally sound teams in the country. With a mixture of veteran players and young talent, Wisconsin had the tools to make a deep run.

Key Players for Wisconsin’s Success

Among the team’s standout players were senior forward Tyler Wahl, sophomore guard Chucky Hepburn, and senior center Steven Crowl. Wahl had been a cornerstone of the Badgers’ success, providing leadership, versatility, and crucial scoring both inside and on the perimeter. Hepburn, known for his clutch shot-making ability, was the floor general who guided the team through tight situations, while Crowl’s size and skill in the paint made him a constant threat on both ends of the floor.

These players, among others, had formed a core that allowed Wisconsin to challenge the best teams in the Big Ten and position themselves well for a potential run in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers’ defense, known for its discipline and ability to lock down opposing offenses, was another strength that made them a difficult team to beat in March.

With a blend of experience, talent, and depth, the Badgers had every reason to believe that they could be a sleeper pick to go far in the tournament. The team was in prime form, and the only thing standing between them and a potential run to the Final Four was the unpredictable nature of the tournament itself—and an injury that would ultimately derail their plans.

The Injury: A Critical Setback for the Badgers

As Wisconsin entered the NCAA Tournament, their preparation had been focused on maximizing their strengths and building momentum off their strong regular-season play. However, just days before the tournament began, the Badgers suffered a blow that would shake their entire postseason outlook.

Tyler Wahl, one of Wisconsin’s key players and its undisputed leader, suffered an injury during practice. The injury, a sprained ankle, was initially thought to be minor, but further evaluations revealed that Wahl would not be able to play at full strength for the tournament’s opening rounds. His absence was a significant blow to the team’s hopes, as Wahl’s versatility on both ends of the floor had been a critical component of Wisconsin’s success all season long.

Wahl was the player that the Badgers relied on to guard opposing forwards and centers, stretch the floor with his shooting, and provide leadership in crunch-time moments. He had been one of the top defenders in the Big Ten, and his ability to guard multiple positions allowed head coach Greg Gard to use different defensive schemes and matchups to his advantage. Without Wahl in the lineup, Wisconsin’s defense was bound to lose a key element, leaving them vulnerable against high-powered offenses in the tournament.

In addition to his defensive contributions, Wahl’s offensive versatility was a major factor in the Badgers’ balanced attack. He was capable of scoring in the paint, knocking down mid-range jumpers, and facilitating ball movement. Losing him would mean relying on other players to step up offensively, which put more pressure on Chucky Hepburn and Steven Crowl to take on a larger share of the load.

Impact on the Badgers’ NCAA Tournament Draw

The timing of Wahl’s injury could not have been worse. The Badgers had been placed in a favorable draw, with the expectation that they could make a deep run if they played to their potential. Their path to the Final Four was not overly daunting, and with Wahl leading the charge, many felt Wisconsin had the talent and experience to overcome their first few opponents.

But the injury to Wahl changed everything. Without their star player, Wisconsin had to adjust its game plan significantly. Wahl’s absence affected not only the team’s overall strategy but also their chances of advancing against tough competition. The Badgers now had to face the reality that their hopes for an extended run were in jeopardy.

Opening Round: A Narrow Escape Without Wahl

In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin faced a team that was on paper less talented but still capable of pulling off an upset. Without Wahl’s leadership and defense, the Badgers struggled to find their rhythm early on. Montana, their opponent, took advantage of the situation by exploiting Wisconsin’s defensive lapses and attacking the paint with greater success than expected.

Wisconsin’s offensive sets, usually methodical and crisp, seemed disjointed without Wahl’s scoring presence. While Hepburn tried to shoulder much of the scoring load, and Steven Crowl provided solid post play, the Badgers were often forced to rely on outside shooting, which had been a weaker aspect of their game all season long.

The game remained close throughout, with Wisconsin needing to dig deep in the final minutes to hold off Montana’s upset bid. Ultimately, the Badgers won, but it was clear that they were not playing at the level they were capable of. The loss of Wahl’s versatility and leadership had a noticeable impact on the team’s confidence, and they would need to find a way to adjust quickly if they were to survive further rounds.

Subsequent Rounds: Wisconsin’s Tournament Hopes Fade

As Wisconsin progressed through the tournament, the absence of Wahl became even more apparent. In the second round, they faced a much stronger team—an opponent with a high-powered offense and a solid defensive game plan. Despite the valiant efforts of Chucky Hepburn and Steven Crowl, the Badgers could not keep up with the speed and skill of their opponent.

Without Wahl’s defensive prowess, Wisconsin struggled to guard opposing forwards and centers, leaving open lanes to the basket and allowing for easy points in the paint. Offensively, the Badgers found it difficult to generate consistent scoring, as Hepburn was often the focal point of the opposing defense. While Crowl did his best to pick up the slack, the lack of scoring balance and the inability to slow down the opponent on defense ultimately led to Wisconsin’s elimination from the tournament.

It was a heartbreaking ending for the Badgers, who had envisioned a different outcome. With Wahl in the lineup, the team had been poised to make a deep run, potentially challenging for a spot in the Final Four. But the loss of their star player left them vulnerable against teams with more depth and star power.

The Broader Implications of Wahl’s Injury for Wisconsin

The injury to Tyler Wahl highlighted how fragile a team’s tournament hopes can be. In a sport as competitive as college basketball, where a single elimination game can end a season, injuries can have catastrophic consequences. For the Badgers, Wahl was not just a scorer or a defender; he was the glue that held the team together. Without him, Wisconsin’s offense lacked cohesion, and their defense was significantly weakened.

While other players stepped up to the challenge, the Badgers were simply not the same team without Wahl. His absence affected both the tactical approach that head coach Greg Gard had implemented and the team’s confidence heading into each game. The tournament was a harsh reminder of the importance of health and the fine line between success and failure in March Madness.