Wisconsin ranked 12th in the Big Ten men's basketball media poll

The Badgers are in prove-it mode after losing A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn in the transfer portal.

Mar 15, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) shoots as Northwestern Wildcats forward Luke Hunger (33) defends during the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

It could be worse. The team located on the other side of the Mississippi River is dead last in the Big Ten men's basketball preseason poll. That alone should make the Wisconsin Badgers, sitting at No. 12 in the poll, feel a little bit better.

After getting snubbed in the All-Big Ten First Team preseason picks — 10 players were picked and none play for the Badgers — Wisconsin has more bulletin-board material by being picked to finish 12th by the media.

The poll was created by The Columbus Dispatch and The Indianapolis Star and included votes from 33 reporters who cover teams in the Big Ten.

Team	Points (first-place votes)
1. Purdue	572 (20)
2. Indiana	549 (7)
3. UCLA	510 (2)
4. Illinois	458 (2)
5. Michigan State	448 (1)
6. Oregon	412
7. Rutgers	391
8. Ohio State	369 (1)
9. Michigan	342
10. Maryland	263
11. Iowa	249
T-12. Wisconsin	212
T-12. Nebraska	212
14. USC	196
15. Washington	158
16. Northwestern	153
17. Penn State	87
18. Minnesota	62

The Badgers are in prove-it mode entering the 10th season under head coach Greg Gard. They have the unenviable task of replacing last year's leading scorers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who both left in the transfer portal after last season. Storr is now with the Kansas Jayhawks and Hepburn is at Louisville.

Wisconsin has its annual red-white scrimmage on Oct. 20 followed by an exhibition tuneup against UW-River Falls on Oct. 30. The regular season begins Nov. 4 when they host Holy Cross. The first big test will come Nov. 15 as the Arizona Wildcats visit the Kohl Center in Madison.