The Badger Backer Roundup: Spring Practice Standouts, Hockey Dynasty, and a WBIT Run
Football transfers are showing flashes in spring ball, women's hockey wins it all, and the women's basketball team advances to the WBIT Quarterfinals.
The spring athletic calendar for Wisconsin athletics is in full swing, bringing a massive wave of news from the McClain Center to the hardwood.
As Luke Fickell’s squad ramps up spring football practices with a major recruiting visit weekend, Greg Gard’s offseason roster movement has officially begun with Jack Robison entering the portal and Austin Rapp committing to return.
Meanwhile, the Badger women’s basketball team is putting together a thrilling postseason run, advancing to the WBIT Quarterfinals. Add in a gritty softball victory at Penn State and individual success for both golf programs, and there is plenty to cover.
Here is everything you need to know in today’s Badger Backer Roundup.
🏒 Women’s Hockey: Back-to-Back National Champions!
The Badgers have done it again. On Sunday, Mark Johnson’s squad secured a record ninth national title, defeating rival Ohio State 3-2 in a nail-biter to become the first team to win true back-to-back NCAA championships since 2018.
The Unlikely Hero: In a game filled with Olympians and superstars, it was unsung senior forward Claire Enright who delivered the ultimate dagger, breaking a 2-2 tie with the game-winning goal with just under six minutes remaining in the third period.
A Brick Wall: Junior goaltender Ava McNaughton was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, turning away 34 shots in the championship game and making several jaw-dropping saves to keep the explosive Buckeye offense in check.
Dynasty Cemented: This marks Wisconsin’s fifth NCAA title since 2019 and its ninth overall, standing alone for the most in women’s college hockey history. The senior class—featuring stars like Caroline Harvey, Lacey Eden, Laila Edwards, and Kirsten Simms—cements its legacy as one of the absolute greatest in program history.
✂️ NET CUTTER PROMOTION: 80% OFF THE BADGER BACKER! March Madness is here, and we’re cutting the nets with our biggest sale of the year. Get 80% off an annual subscription to The Badger Backer and unlock premium, exclusive Wisconsin coverage all year long.
🏈 Football: Spring Practice Standouts & Recruiting Visits
The pads are popping inside the McClain Center. With Wisconsin wrapping up its first week of spring ball, a few major storylines and standout performances are beginning to emerge from Luke Fickell’s squad.
The Standouts: Louisville transfer QB Deuce Adams is making a strong case for the No. 2 job, showcasing deep-ball accuracy with multiple long touchdowns to Chris Brooks Jr. and early enrollee Kash Brock. On the defensive side, transfer EDGE Micheal Garner and safety Carson Van Dinter are consistently making plays.
Injury Triumph: The best sight of the spring might be offensive tackle Kevin Heywood. After suffering a torn ACL last spring, Heywood is fully back and competing for a starting spot, bringing a crucial veteran presence to the offensive line.
The Recruiting Trail: The staff hosted a massive crop of talent over the weekend to take in practice. Headlining the group was top-rated 2027 in-state running back Kingston Allen (Green Bay). The “In-State Wall” strategy continues in full force, with the Badgers keeping a heavy press on 4-star offensive lineman Cole Reiter, the Mallinger twins, and top target from across the Minnesota border, linebacker Blake Betton.
🏀 Men’s Basketball: Roster Movement Begins
The offseason arrived earlier than anyone wanted following the first-round NCAA tournament exit, and the roster maneuvering is officially underway.
Robison to the Portal: Sophomore wing Jack Robison became the first Badger to enter the transfer portal this spring. The former four-star recruit from Minnesota played sparingly in his two seasons in Madison (just 48 total minutes) and will look for a larger role elsewhere.
Rapp Returns: In massive retention news, sophomore forward Austin Rapp has committed to returning for the 2026-27 season. The Portland transfer became a huge piece down the stretch of the season, stepping into the starting lineup and shooting over 41% from deep. His return gives Greg Gard a proven, floor-spacing building block for next year’s frontcourt.
🏀 Women’s Basketball: WBIT Magic at the Kohl Center
Don’t look now, but the Wisconsin women’s basketball team is on a serious postseason run!
The Miami Upset: Entering as a No. 3 seed, Wisconsin went on the road to Coral Gables and stunned No. 2 seed Miami, 72-65. The Badgers put on a shooting clinic, hitting a season-high 56.5% from beyond the arc. Destiny Howell led the charge with 23 points, while Kyrah Daniels (14 pts, 13 reb) and Gift Uchenna (13 pts, 11 reb) both posted massive double-doubles.
Hosting Harvard: The reward for the road upset? Wisconsin gets to return to Madison to host No. 4 seed Harvard in the WBIT Quarterfinals. Tip-off is set for Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM CT at the Kohl Center. A win sends them to Wichita for the semifinals!
🥎 Softball: Bouncing Back in Happy Valley
The Badgers (16-11, 2-4 B1G) showed serious resilience during their road trip to Penn State, bouncing back from a tough 14-8 loss on Saturday to capture a 7-4 victory in Sunday’s series finale.
The Comeback: Trailing 4-3 heading into the seventh inning on Sunday, the Badgers exploded for four runs. Emily Bojan tied the game, and junior Alivia Bark broke it open with a clutch two-run double.
The Workhorse: Right-hander Shelby Jacobson was the anchor Wisconsin needed. She threw a massive 146 pitches to record her second complete game of the season, grinding out the victory in the circle.
⛳ Men’s Golf: Shwartz Shines in Arizona
The men’s team traveled to Peoria, Arizona, for the “Pay It Forward” Collegiate at the Wigwam Resort, finishing 8th overall in a highly competitive field.
Top-Five Finish: Sophomore Jason Shwartz led the charge, shooting 5-under for the tournament to secure a top-five finish (his second career top-five). He was an absolute birdie machine, specifically dominating the Par 4s.
Solid Support: Sophomore William Harned also put together a strong showing, finishing 26th at even-par after firing a season-low 68 (-4) in the opening round that included a spectacular eagle on the 14th hole.
⛳ Women’s Golf: Siehl’s Career Week at MountainView
The Badgers took 11th place at the MountainView Collegiate in Tucson, but the weekend truly belonged to senior Alexia Siehl.
Career-Best Performance: Siehl finished fourth overall at 7-under par, marking the best finish of her collegiate career. She rocketed up the leaderboard on Saturday with a collegiate-low 66 (-6), racking up 14 birdies over the three-day event.
Stricker Surges: Sophomore Izzi Stricker also put together a great weekend, finishing 31st (+3) after a strong second-round 71 that helped her jump 22 spots on the leaderboard.
It means a lot to have you here at The Badger Backer. I’m passionate about digging deep into Wisconsin football and basketball, and your readership makes it all worthwhile. Catch up on previous posts or ensure you don’t miss anything by subscribing below! Let’s keep the Badger conversation going!
Follow me on ‘X’ @christianborman and @thebadgerbacker!