The Jump Around

Chris McIntosh is out as athletic director at Wisconsin Badgers, leaving for a senior role with the Big Ten — and it raises a major question:

Did he leave… or did he jump ship?

In this special emergency episode of The Jump Around, we break down:

Why McIntosh made the move now

The state of Wisconsin athletics in the NIL era

Whether the Badgers have fallen behind the Big Ten

The leadership vacuum facing UW right now

What comes next for football, basketball, and the entire department

From NIL struggles to fan frustration, this moment could define the future of Wisconsin sports.

Is this a smart career move… or a sign of bigger problems in Madison?

Where does Wisconsin really fit in today’s college sports landscape? 🤔

On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down the biggest questions surrounding the Badgers:

Are Wisconsin’s football and basketball programs closer to a blue blood or a mid-major in today’s NIL era?

What does John Blackwell’s departure say about the state of Wisconsin athletics?

Can the Badgers realistically compete for championships moving forward?

Is there untapped revenue potential Wisconsin should be leveraging?

Plus, Wisconsin beat reporter Jim Polzin joins the show to give his insight on Blackwell, NIL, and where the Badgers stand compared to the rest of college sports.

The Wisconsin Badgers are under the microscope 👀

On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down some of the biggest questions surrounding Wisconsin athletics:

What grade does Athletic Director Chris McIntosh deserve right now?

Are there real concerns about Luke Fickell and Wisconsin football heading into 2026?

Early spring practice takeaways, including defensive dominance and QB development

Frank Kaminsky responds to the “mid-major” debate

Recruiting buzz: Is Fickell building the best class in program history?

Plus, former Badgers fullback and new Director of Football Alumni Relations Bradie Ewing joins the show to discuss his new role, the importance of alumni engagement, and his confidence in the future of Wisconsin football.

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Wisconsin had everything lined up for a March run — and still lost to High Point.

The Jump Around breaks down the Badgers’ shocking Round of 64 exit, what went wrong late, and the bigger questions now facing Greg Gard and Wisconsin basketball.

Jim Rutledge and Pablo Iglesias discuss the brutal ending to a season that felt like it could be different, why Wisconsin couldn’t get stops late, whether roster construction and NIL limitations are holding the Badgers back, and what this loss means for Greg Gard moving forward.

They also dive into:

Why the High Point loss hurts so much

Whether Wisconsin’s March struggles are becoming a bigger issue

Greg Gard’s future and the direction of the program

The Badgers’ roster build, toughness, and defensive concerns

Frank Kaminsky’s comments on Gard and the state of Wisconsin basketball

Why other Big Ten tournament runs only made this loss sting more

If you’re a Wisconsin Badgers fan, this episode is a full postmortem on one of the most frustrating NCAA Tournament exits in recent memory.

Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers coverage, analysis, reactions, and interviews from The Jump Around on ESPN Madison and ESPN Milwaukee.

The Sweet 16 is set, and for Wisconsin fans, it somehow hurts even more.

Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust react to the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, why the Badgers’ loss to High Point still stings, and how the Big Ten’s success made it all worse. Iowa and Nebraska are somehow one win away from the Final Four, while Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois are all still alive.

The guys break down the Big Ten’s Sweet 16 teams, revisit the idea that the 6-seed may have been the better path, and reset their thoughts on the tournament heading into Thursday’s regional semifinals.

In this episode:

Why Wisconsin’s loss still feels brutal

Why High Point pushing Arkansas changes nothing

Iowa and Nebraska’s bizarre runs

Michigan State skepticism

Illinois vs Houston preview

Purdue, Michigan, and the Big Ten’s ceiling

Final Four reset after the first weekend

The Wisconsin Badgers just suffered a stunning 83-82 loss to High Point… and it’s how it happened that makes it even worse 😳

Jim Rutledge, Riley Jauch, and Molly Brown react to a game Wisconsin led by 8 points with just over 7 minutes left before everything unraveled. High Point closed on a late surge, hitting 7 of their final 9 shots, while the Badgers fell apart down the stretch with turnovers, missed chances, and no final shot.

Despite big performances from Nick Boyd (27 points) and John Blackwell (22 points, 10 rebounds), Wisconsin couldn’t stop High Point’s three-point barrage (15 made threes) or execute late when it mattered most.

This wasn’t just an upset — it’s another March disappointment for Wisconsin as a No. 5 seed, and it raises serious questions about the program moving forward.

From the late-game collapse to the bigger picture, this is a raw, immediate reaction Badgers fans need to hear.

Former Badger and current Wisconsin assistant coach Brad Davison joins The Jump Around Extra! He chats with Pablo Iglesias and Riley Jauch about his journey from playing to coaching, what the Badgers are preparing for against High Point, why this team can make a deep run, what makes Greg Gard special, and much more!

It’s officially March Madness time for the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball.

On this week’s episode of The Jump Around, we break down everything you need to know ahead of Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament matchup vs High Point Panthers men's basketball as a #5 seed.

High Point enters on a 14-game winning streak and is one of the highest scoring teams in the country (90 PPG) — is this a dangerous matchup for the Badgers?

Plus, what lies ahead? A potential matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks (featuring star guard Darius Acuff Jr.) or the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

🏀 On this episode:

Wisconsin vs High Point full breakdown & expectations

Impact of Nolan Winter & Jack Janicki returning

Nick Boyd’s chase of Frank Kaminsky’s scoring record

Is Boyd already one of the greatest Badgers ever?

Greg Gard’s comparisons of Boyd & Blackwell 👀

Bracket predictions & upset picks

AND: Kamari McGee joins the show!

With March Madness here, what’s the ceiling for Wisconsin?

Sweet 16? Elite 8? Final Four?

Subscribe for more Badgers basketball coverage, March Madness analysis, and weekly episodes of The Jump Around.

March Mode is back as Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust react to the Badgers’ NCAA Tournament draw and break down Wisconsin’s path in the bracket.

The Badgers are a 5 seed in the West Region and will face 12 seed High Point in the first round in Portland. Is the early tip actually a problem? Is High Point being overhyped as a 12-over-5 upset pick? And how should Wisconsin fans feel about a potential second-round showdown with Arkansas?

Plus:

• Wisconsin vs High Point matchup reaction

• Why Ben likes the “underdog” energy around Wisconsin

• Big Ten Tournament and Big Ten Sweet 16 predictions

• Michigan State, Illinois, UCLA, Duke and Houston thoughts

• Ben Brust’s Final Four picks

• Alex Strouf’s Final Four picks

Drop your bracket thoughts in the comments and let us know: how far are the Badgers going?

⏱ Chapters

0:00 March Mode begins

0:22 Wisconsin vs High Point game time reaction

0:43 Is the early Portland tip actually a problem?

4:10 Accepting the draw and moving forward

4:58 Why High Point became America’s 12-over-5 pick

7:32 Why Ben likes Wisconsin in the underdog role

10:32 Potential Round of 32 showdown with Arkansas

13:37 Favorite NCAA Tournament tip time as a fan

14:51 Big Ten teams in the bracket

17:09 Why Ben does not believe in Michigan State

19:29 UCLA sleeper thoughts

20:21 Penn vs Illinois and Houston discussion

22:07 How many Big Ten teams reach the Sweet 16?

24:17 Ben Brust’s Final Four

25:17 Alex Strouf’s Final Four

27:04 High Point preview tease

The bracket is out.

Alex Strouf hosts March Mode LIVE with Wisconsin Final Four legend Ben Brust and producer Riley Jauch reacting to the Wisconsin Badgers being named a #5 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Wisconsin will face #12 High Point in the first round as the Badgers look to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2017.

We break down:

• Wisconsin vs High Point matchup

• The Badgers’ path in the West Region

• Potential second round opponents

• Biggest threats in the region

• National title contenders

• Full bracket reaction

Drop your thoughts and predictions in the chat — we’ll answer them live.