VARSITY

Former Badger defensive back and the current Director of Personnel Development & Area Scout with the Seattle Seahawks, LaMar "Soup" Campbell joined Jim Rutledge and Jesse Nelson on The Jump Around! The six-year NFL veteran talked about what he's looking for in the next Wisconsin athletic director and how the Wisconsin football program can turn around to being successful in the Big Ten and on the national college football landscape. Plus more from the experienced Campbell as he was part of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl organization!

Evan Cohen, co-host of Unsportsmanlike and UW alum, joined The Jump Around with Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch to discuss the announcement of the nine-person search committee for the University of Wisconsin's vacant athletic director position. The names included former Badger greats Chris Ballard (Indianapolis Colts GM), Michael Finley (Dallas Mavericks co-GM), and Meghan Duggan (director of player development with the New Jersey Devils). Evan gives his reaction to the committee and gives his four names that he WISHED were included in the search for Wisconsin's new AD. Evan also points out one name missing on the committee who is a direct source for success within Wisconsin football... all that and more from his appearance on The Jump Around!

Exclusive interview with Nyzier Fourqurean — former Wisconsin CB and current Los Angeles Rams UDFA — on his journey, the NCAA situation, and what’s next!

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard joins Ben Brust to talk through a busy offseason in Madison, including roster retention, transfer portal additions, and what comes next after John Blackwell’s departure. Gard shares how he evaluates portal talent, balances offense with the need to improve defensively, and adapts to the realities of NIL and modern college basketball. He also discusses the impact of athletic director Chris McIntosh leaving and what stability looks like during a changing time on campus. Plus, Gard explains why he supports expanding the NCAA Tournament and why college basketball needs a bigger spotlight earlier in the season. It’s a wide-ranging Badgers conversation with insight on the present and future of the program.

Wisconsin Football Strength Coach Brady Collins joins the show to discuss offseason changes to the football program, player development for the NFL Draft, and growth of the Badgers this spring on the gridiron. You don't want to miss any of the JUICE that Collins' brings and get you amped up for the upcoming Wisconsin football season!

Jon Arias and Jess Williams are on the call for the Badgers Spring Match against in-state rival UW-Green Bay. Wisconsin handles the Phoenix in the 5-set SUPER SWEEP!

Badgers legend and former AD Pat Richter joins the show! He spins yarns from his AD days, elaborates on why he took the Wisconsin job, lists the qualities he'd look for in the next athletic director, and more!

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. Spoiler alert... it's not where we'd like...

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, his confidence in the future of Wisconsin football, and much more!

Mark Tauscher joins Jim, Matt & Molly to react to Badgers basketball's loss to 12-seed High Point in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament! Tausch shares why his hopes were higher than usual heading into the tournament, and they discuss the biggest hurdle for this program moving forward in the NIL era of college basketball -- can they find the depth they desperately need? Jim also asks if Wisconsin should be considered a college basketball Cinderella team moving forward, and Tausch answers the big question -- is Greg Gard the right guy for the job?

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!

Former Badger guard Kamari McGee joins the show! He talks about his excitement for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, why he believes Wisconsin is poised for a deep run, Nick Boyd, his game at the Barstool HQ and much more!

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

March Mode is back. ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf and Badger legend Ben Brust break down Wisconsin’s 97-point road statement at Purdue, what the win means for seeding, and how defined roles are shaping this team heading into Big Ten tournament week and Selection Sunday. Toplines • Badgers finish the regular season with a huge road win at Purdue • Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combined for a monster night • Austin Rapp’s role growth and Aleksas Bieliauskas’ defensive presence • Wisconsin locks into the 5-seed for the Big Ten tournament — what to expect in Chicago • Selection Sunday countdown and bracket implications Drop questions in the comments and we’ll answer them on Monday’s episode. ⏱ Chapters 0:00 March Mode Ep. 3 — intro 0:15 Big win at Purdue — overview 0:40 Boyd & Blackwell breakout (48 combined) 1:05 Efficient shooting & first-half explosion (12 threes) 3:00 Austin Rapp’s emergence & defined roles 6:29 Braden Carrington & bench impact 10:16 Aleksas Bieliauskas’ presence down low 13:27 Badgers = 5-seed for Big Ten tourney 15:00 Who they might see in Chicago / matchup notes 19:41 Why one win/loss in the BTT won’t shake confidence 23:30 Closing + Selection Sunday preview

Former Wisconsin guard Zak Showalter joins The Jump Around! He discusses his relationship with Aaron Rodgers, how Badgers fans have embraced this year's teams, Nick Boyd, Gard's success with transfers, and much more!

Wisconsin star guard Nick Boyd joins The Jump Around to talk about his fearless playing style, leadership with the Badgers, and what it will take for Wisconsin to make a run in March. Boyd discusses: His Final Four experience at FAU and how it shapes his mindset The fearless mentality that drives his game How Greg Gard has challenged him as a leader Why the Badgers believe they can compete with anyone in college basketball What it would mean to create a March Madness legacy at Wisconsin

March Mode is back. ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust react to the Badgers’ 78–45 win over Maryland on Senior Day, but the real story is Nolan Winter’s injury and what it means for Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament outlook. How does Winter’s absence affect the rotation? Can the Badgers improve their seed with a win at Purdue? Is a 6-seed actually the sweet spot? Plus: Austin Rapp finding his role Braden Carrington’s surge Big Ten Tournament preview Ben’s Final Four LOCK A sleeper team that could crash the bracket Drop your questions in the comments for Monday’s episode.

March Mode is live. ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust kick off a twice-weekly NCAA Tournament sprint with a full breakdown of the Wisconsin Badgers as March arrives. The Badgers looked like two different teams on the West Coast: a rough loss at Oregon, then a 17-point win at Washington sparked by Braden Carrington’s 32 points and 9 threes. So what does it mean for Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament seed, their Big Ten Tournament outlook, and the matchups they do (and do not) want? Plus: Ben gives his take on the national title picture, the conferences he trusts most, why he’s skeptical of Duke in March, and quick-hits on Big Ten contenders like Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, Nebraska, and Iowa. Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll hit them on the next episode. Chapters 0:00 March Mode begins 0:56 Badgers: Oregon loss, Washington blowout 2:30 NCAA Tournament seeding: 7 seed vs 6 seed conversation 5:06 Matchups the Badgers should avoid 6:00 Wisconsin’s analytics jump (KenPom/Bart Torvik talk) 10:55 Maryland + Purdue preview 15:20 National contenders and why Ben doubts Duke 22:25 Big Ten “say something nice” lightning round 28:20 Audience questions callout + Ben’s March résumé

Former Badgers guard and host of KBN Ben Brust joins The Jump Around! He tells stories about Howard Moore, gives his thoughts on Wisconsin's tournament aspirations, why Nick Boyd and John Blackwell will be critical to their success, and much more!

Matt Lepay joins Wilde and Tausch! The Voice of the Badgers talks Wisconsin basketball's momentum, Tom Izzo & Greg Gard, his intrigue surrounding UW football, and much more!

Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes joins The Jump Around! He breaks down Wisconsin's offensive roster, talks Colton Joseph, battling injuries, and much more!

Wisconsin OLB and Special Teams coach Matt Mitchell joins The Jump Around! He takes a deep dive into the Badgers edge room heading into 2026, Mason Reiger's rising draft stock, the culture of the team, and much more!

Riley Nowakowski, a Wisconsin native and Indiana tight end who helped lead the Hoosiers to a College Football National Championship joins The Jump Around! He speaks on Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza, his journey, and much more!

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard joins Wilde and Tausch following a tough loss in overtime to Indiana featuring a couple of controversial calls in the final minute. Also, Coach Gard helps preview the powerful Howard Moore documentary "A Road At Night" with special theater showings premiering later this week.

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell joins Wilde and Tausch. Discussion of the evolution of the NCAA Transfer Portal, NIL, the outlook for Wisconsin football in 2026, and more.

Wisconsin basketball hero Freddie Owens joins The Jump Around! He talks about this year's iteration of Wisconsin basketball and what has impressed him thus far before discussing what he's learned from coaching, and his soon to be published book "The Echoes of Stark Park"!

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Posa joins The Jump Around for one of the most candid, energetic interviews of the offseason — diving into LB-U pride, recruiting in the transfer-portal era, and why he believes Wisconsin football is on the verge of something big. Posa breaks down: How he went from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Madison — and why Wisconsin wasn’t even on his radar early The recruiting relationship that pulled him away from Oklahoma and changed his trajectory Why Wisconsin is Linebacker U — and how he plans to carry on the legacy of T.J. Watt, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, and more Making an early impact as a freshman, earning snaps, and proving he belongs His mindset of competing every week despite ups and downs in the season We also dive into: His tight bond with Cooper Catalano (you'll want to hear the nickname they gave themselves...) Why he fully embraced Badger culture — rivalries, toughness, and wearing the “W” Actively recruiting transfer-portal additions like Colton Joseph and Abu Sama III How Wisconsin’s aggressive portal approach is changing the locker-room mentality Why he believes 9–10 wins and a CFP run aren’t crazy goals Facing elite teams and quarterbacks — and what separates contenders from champions Plus: 🌶 New Mexico food vs. Madison eats 🎮 Off-day hangouts, film habits, and competitive edge 🧠 Why loyalty still matters to him in the NIL + portal era This is a must-watch conversation for Badgers fans wanting a real look inside Wisconsin football’s mindset heading into the next season. 📺 Watch now on ESPN Madison & ESPN Milwaukee’s YouTube channels 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more Badgers interviews and portal coverage

The Wisconsin Badgers are back in the Final Four. Wisconsin dominated the first set and the teams went back and forth with Kentucky winning the match in five sets.

Wisconsin Badgers head wrestling coach Chris Bono joins Riley Jauch and The Jump Around Extra for an in-depth conversation on the present and future of Wisconsin Wrestling, the challenges of the NIL and transfer portal era, and what it takes to build a sustainable championship culture in the Big Ten. Coach Bono discusses: Wisconsin’s 5–0 start and goals heading into Big Ten play How the Badgers can close the gap on Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska Why development, not the portal, remains the foundation of the program The importance of All-Americans and national champions in March How Wisconsin measures progress beyond dual-meet wins The rapid growth of wrestling nationally and in the state of Wisconsin The future of women’s wrestling and why the sport is at an all-time high Bono also opens up about: The difficulty of adversity as a coach vs. athlete Building lifelong relationships with his wrestlers Maintaining roster continuity in the NIL + transfer portal era Recruiting and retaining Wisconsin in-state talent The culture of hustle, effort, accountability, and commitment inside the room Plus, Coach Bono explains why fans should make it a priority to pack the UW Field House, what makes this team especially entertaining to watch, and his vision for taking Wisconsin Wrestling events across the state. This is a must-watch conversation for Badgers fans, wrestling fans, and anyone interested in how college athletics is evolving.

The Wisconsin Badgers are back in Final Four! The Badgers went on the road to the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns winning in four sets. Wisconsin now heads to their 7th Final Four.

The 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers travel to Texas for the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament to face the Stanford Cardinal. Wisconsin comes away with their first win ever over Stanford and advance to their 8th consecutive Elite Eight.

Play-by-play voice of UW volleyball and women's basketball Jon Arias joins The Jump Around! He discusses Badgers VB heading into the Sweet 16, whether a Final Four run would be a surprise, whether he’s a believer in Robin Pingeton and how her leadership differs from past approaches and much more!

Jim Polzin of BadgerExtra joins The Jump Around! He discusses Wisconsin football’s disappointing season, the early outlook for Wisconsin men’s basketball, his reporting on UW’s response to abuse allegations against former WBB coach, Marisa Mosely and much more!