Wisconsin finished off its non-conference schedule with a win over Milwaukee. Zach and Jesse discuss what they've seen from the #Badgers so far and what awaits them in 2026. BadgerExtra's Jim Polzin also joins the show to talk about his impressions of Greg Gard's team, whether he thinks they are an NCAA Tournament team and the guys veer into Luke Fickell and Chris McIntosh job security and football talk. The show closes with some listener questions.

Wisconsin finished off its non-conference schedule with a win over Milwaukee. Zach and Jesse discuss what they've seen from the #Badgers so far and what awaits them in 2026. BadgerExtra's Jim Polzin also joins the show to talk about his impressions of Greg Gard's team, whether he thinks they are an NCAA Tournament team and the guys veer into Luke Fickell and Chris McIntosh job security and football talk. The show closes with some listener questions.

A podcast focused solely on the Wisconsin basketball team with hosts Zach Heilprin of the Wisconsin Sports Zone Network and Jesse Temple of The Athletic.

The Swing: A Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Podcast

Audio and podcasts from The Zone Madison!

Audio and podcasts from The Zone Madison!

The Zone

Evaluating Wisconsin heading into 2026, NCAA Tournament (?), Jim Polzin joins the show

The NFL Combine gets going in Indianapolis this week. Zach and Jesse discuss the two Badgers in attendance -- Vinny Anthony and Mason Reiger -- and which will get drafted higher. Then the guys dive into the best potential pros on the current Wisconsin roster and rank the top-5 transfers all-time for the Badgers. They close with some more travel stories.

The NFL Combine gets going in Indianapolis this week. Zach and Jesse discuss the two Badgers in attendance -- Vinny Anthony and Mason Reiger -- and which will get drafted higher. Then the guys dive into the best potential pros on the current Wisconsin roster and rank the top-5 transfers all-time for the Badgers. They close with some more travel stories.

NFL Combine, best pro prospects on current roster, Top 5 transfers all-time

Wisconsin earned a bounce back win over Iowa on Sunday. Zach and Jesse dive into the latest special effort from Nick Boyd, the importance of Austin Rapp's surge, Nolan Winter delivering and more.

Then former Wisconsin guard Freddie Owens joins to talk about his new book (Echoes of Stark Park: Lessons on Resilience, Growth and the Journey to Legacy) that details the experiences that took him from growing up on the Northside of Milwaukee to Big Ten titles for the Badgers to a 20-year coaching career and all the lessons along the way. 

The guys then close the show with questions from listeners, including whether Zach misses former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. 

 

 

Wisconsin earned a bounce back win over Iowa on Sunday. Zach and Jesse dive into the latest special effort from Nick Boyd, the importance of Austin Rapp's surge, Nolan Winter delivering and more.
Then former Wisconsin guard Freddie Owens joins to talk about his new book (<a href="Echoes%20of%20Stark%20Park:%20Lessons%20on%20Resilience,%20Growth%20and%20the%20Journey%20to%20Legacy">Echoes of Stark Park: Lessons on Resilience, Growth and the Journey to Legacy</a>) that details the experiences that took him from growing up on the Northside of Milwaukee to Big Ten titles for the Badgers to a 20-year coaching career and all the lessons along the way.&nbsp;
The guys then close the show with questions from listeners, including whether Zach misses former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery.&nbsp;
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Badgers bounce back against Iowa, Freddie Owens joins the show, listener questions

It was a little good and a little bad from Wisconsin over the past week. Zach and Jesse discuss what the setback at Ohio State means, while also talking about the blowout of then-No. 10 Michigan State at home. Then they get into where Nick Boyd ranks among transfers at Wisconsin, Andrew Rohde's struggles, potential for Hayden Jones, what would constitute a successful season the rest of the way and more.

It was a little good and a little bad from Wisconsin over the past week. Zach and Jesse discuss what the setback at Ohio State means, while also talking about the blowout of then-No. 10 Michigan State at home. Then they get into where Nick Boyd ranks among transfers at Wisconsin, Andrew Rohde's struggles, potential for Hayden Jones, what would constitute a successful season the rest of the way and more.

Evaluating Wisconsin heading into 2026, NCAA Tournament (?), Jim Polzin joins the show

The Swing: A Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Podcast

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