Following BYU’s defeat, Wisconsin coach Greg Gard’s NCAA Tournament record and history have been updated.
Following BYU’s defeat in the NCAA Tournament, Greg Gard, the head coach of the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team, has seen his NCAA Tournament record and history updated, which sheds light on his legacy and trajectory within the sport. Over the years, Gard has established himself as a respected leader in college basketball, but his career in the NCAA Tournament has been a journey filled with moments of triumph and disappointment. This updated reflection on Gard’s record is a way to understand his role as a coach, as well as the challenges and successes he has encountered throughout his tenure at Wisconsin.
Early Years: Taking Over for Bo Ryan
Before examining Gard’s NCAA Tournament history, it’s important to understand the context in which he took over the Wisconsin program. Greg Gard was hired as the assistant coach under legendary head coach Bo Ryan, who led the Badgers to a period of unprecedented success. Ryan, who had been at Wisconsin for 14 years, retired unexpectedly during the 2015-2016 season, and Gard was named interim head coach for the remainder of the year. This was a moment of significant transition, and expectations were high for the program due to its recent success under Ryan, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, Big Ten titles, and a trip to the Final Four in 2014.
In his interim role, Gard helped steer the Badgers through the remainder of the season, leading them to the Sweet 16 of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. This immediate success in the tournament showed that Gard could handle the pressure of leading a team in high-stakes environments, and it helped solidify his position as head coach going forward. Gard was officially named the head coach of Wisconsin in 2016, and he inherited a program with a strong foundation, but one that also carried the weight of high expectations.
Greg Gard’s Early NCAA Tournament Success
In his first full season as head coach in 2016-2017, Gard’s Badgers made it to the NCAA Tournament, where they were placed as a 8th seed. The team had a solid season, and the expectation was that they could make a deep run in the tournament. Wisconsin faced off against the 9th-seeded Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round and came out victorious. In the Round of 32, they met a formidable opponent in the 1st-seeded Villanova Wildcats. While Wisconsin lost in a close game, the performance showed that Gard’s team was competitive and that the program was in capable hands.
Gard’s second NCAA Tournament appearance as head coach came in 2018, and this marked a notable step forward for his career. The Badgers had a solid regular-season record and earned a 9th-seed in the tournament. Gard’s team had a tough first-round match against the 8th-seeded Texas A&M Aggies. Unfortunately, Wisconsin suffered an early exit, losing the game by a significant margin. This loss raised questions about Gard’s ability to lead the Badgers in high-pressure tournament situations, but it didn’t completely tarnish his overall reputation as a coach.
Breakthrough Year: The 2019 NCAA Tournament
Gard’s most significant breakthrough in the NCAA Tournament came in 2019. This year marked a turning point for Wisconsin basketball under Gard’s leadership. After a somewhat underwhelming 2018-2019 regular season, the Badgers were still able to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a 5th seed. Wisconsin’s success during the tournament, which included significant wins over quality opponents, helped elevate Gard’s stature.
In the 2019 tournament, the Badgers started strong, defeating the 12th-seeded Oregon Ducks in the first round. Their second-round game was against the 4th-seeded Kansas Jayhawks, a matchup many expected Wisconsin to lose. However, Gard’s team pulled off a remarkable upset, winning the game 66-63 in a thrilling contest. Wisconsin advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time under Gard, and it was clear that this success was a step forward for both the program and its head coach.
However, the Badgers’ run was cut short in the Sweet 16, where they faced off against the 1st-seeded and eventual national champion, the Virginia Cavaliers. Despite their best efforts, Wisconsin fell short in a tightly contested game. Nonetheless, Gard’s performance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament proved that he had the ability to lead Wisconsin deep into the tournament, and the Badgers’ overall progress helped boost Gard’s stock as a coach.
The 2020-2021 Season and the Impact of COVID-19
The 2020-2021 season brought a unique set of challenges for all college basketball teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Gard and Wisconsin, the season was full of highs and lows, as the Badgers navigated the difficulties of playing in a season disrupted by the pandemic. Wisconsin’s record was solid enough to earn them a spot in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, and they entered the tournament with high expectations.
Wisconsin was seeded 9th in the tournament, facing off against the 8th-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round. It was a matchup between two storied programs, and the game was expected to be a competitive one. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, the Badgers fell to North Carolina in a frustrating loss. The defeat was a disappointment for Gard, as many had expected Wisconsin to at least advance past the first round. Still, the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic added complexity to that season, and it was clear that Gard and his players were doing their best to succeed under extraordinary circumstances.
Greg Gard’s NCAA Tournament Record and Legacy
As of 2025, Greg Gard’s NCAA Tournament record is marked by several significant milestones, though it is also characterized by a number of early exits that have left fans and analysts questioning what might have been. Gard has led Wisconsin to the tournament on multiple occasions, including a notable Sweet 16 appearance in 2019. His overall record in the tournament shows that he is capable of leading Wisconsin to success, but he has yet to make a deep run to the Final Four, which would be a major achievement for both the program and his career.
While Gard’s tournament history has been a mix of highs and lows, he has managed to keep Wisconsin competitive year in and year out. The consistency with which he has brought the team to the tournament is a testament to his coaching ability and his ability to recruit and develop talent. However, the lack of a deeper tournament run has been a key critique of his tenure, especially as expectations have continued to rise following his successes during the regular season.
Comparing Gard to Other Big Ten Coaches
When comparing Greg Gard to other Big Ten coaches, it is clear that Gard’s tournament success is somewhat middle-of-the-pack. While coaches like Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Chris Beard of Indiana have achieved sustained success in the NCAA Tournament, Gard’s tournament run has not yet reached the same level of acclaim. That being said, Gard has built a Wisconsin program that is competitive year after year, and his teams have shown the ability to compete against the top programs in the country.
Gard’s ability to build teams that are hard-nosed, defensively strong, and well-coached has helped him maintain respect in the Big Ten and in the NCAA Tournament. His track record, while lacking in deep tournament runs, suggests that he is a capable coach who could still make a breakthrough in the future, especially with continued recruiting success and development of his players.
The Future of Greg Gard and Wisconsin Basketball
Looking ahead, Greg Gard’s future with Wisconsin basketball is one filled with both opportunity and pressure. While Gard has already demonstrated that he can keep Wisconsin competitive in the NCAA Tournament, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can finally guide the team to a deep tournament run and perhaps a Final Four appearance. The program’s continued success, both in the Big Ten and nationally, will depend on Gard’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball and continue to develop his players both on and off the court.
In conclusion, Greg Gard’s NCAA Tournament history and record, while still evolving, paint a picture of a coach who has brought Wisconsin basketball into a new era following Bo Ryan’s tenure. His journey in the NCAA Tournament has been marked by strong performances, particularly in the 2019 tournament, but has also seen its share of disappointments. As Gard continues to lead Wisconsin, his tournament legacy will likely continue to grow, and with the right mix of talent and preparation, a deep run in the tournament could be on the horizon.
