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USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Updated Big Ten football 2026 team recruiting rankings (July 18)
The class of 2026 recruiting cycle has quieted over the last few weeks. Official visits have concluded, plus most of the class' top recruits have announced their verbal commitments. July is college football's closest thing to a month off in today's age. There are no bowl games, no transfer portal window, no training camp practice and, for these purposes, no recruiting visits or contact. The closest thing to news that we get is a commitment or two and the start of dedicated season preparation. That preparation will pick up significantly next week, as the Big Ten holds its media days in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 22-24. Wisconsin is one of six programs scheduled for Wednesday, July 23's session Before that date turns full focus to the fast-approaching season, it's worth taking a few late-summer looks at the Big Ten team recruiting rankings for the class of 2026. The rankings are close to final, with limited commitments trickling in throughout the month. Updated Big Ten football class of 2026 team recruiting rankings (July 18) Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football a finalist with several SEC programs for notable 2026 safety
Wisconsin football made the final schools for class of 2026 safety Jowell Combay on Sunday. The Badgers were listed alongside Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Combay also noted that he will announce his commitment on July 9 at 5 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. CT. 247Sports currently lists the Marietta, Georgia, native as a three-star recruit. He's specifically ranked as the No. 632 player in the class of 2026, the No. 49 safety and the No. 70 player from his home state. The recruiting service notes that he took official visits to Oklahoma State on April 25, Missouri on May 30, South Carolina on June 6, Wisconsin on June 13 and Tennessee on June 20. It does not list a trip to Georgia, one of his five finalists. 247Sports has yet to register a crystal ball prediction for Combay's commitment. On3/Rivals sees a tight four-team race, with Tennessee at 28%, South Carolina at 18.5%, Missouri at 15.9% and Wisconsin at 13.2%. Wisconsin's class of 2026 currently ranks No. 48 in the nation with 15 players committed. The program is still seeking a final boost to elevate the class into the nation's top 30. Stay tuned later this week for Combay's decision. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball recruits lead New Zealand to FIBA U19 World Cup Round of 16 win
Wisconsin basketball commits Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball led New Zealand to the FIBA U19 World Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday. A day removed from the team's narrow 103-97 loss to Serbia, New Zealand responded with a critical 99-86 victory over China in its first win-or-go-home contest of the circuit. New Zealand's commanding 52-37 edge by intermission set the tone for the remainder of the contest, which concluded with a dominant defensive effort in the fourth quarter. After scoring 35 points in the third frame, China mustered just 14 total points in the final period of play, enabling New Zealand to advance to the next round of the World Cup. Jones, who pledged his commitment to Greg Gard's program on July 25, 2024, was responsible for 16 points off 6-of-12 from the field, 1-of-3 from 3-point range and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. The 6-foot-5 guard also corralled a team-best nine rebounds and dished out four assists in over 31 minutes of play. Seven of the class of 2025 product's points arrived in the first quarter, fueling New Zealand to an 11-point edge within the first 10 minutes of action. New Zealand national teamer and future Badger Jackson Ball also showed out with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in over 29 minutes on the floor. Ball opened the tournament with a team-high 17 points against Argentina on June 28, and he dropped a team-leading 19 points against Serbia on July 1. Through three games, he ranks second on his team in scoring with 13.5 points per game. Jones, meanwhile, is accountable for 13.3 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds per contest. Both players appear towards the top of New Zealand's scouting report, and they've put together impressive outings through four games thus far. Behind strong performances from future NBA athletes Koa Peat, AJ Dybantsa, Morez Johnson Jr. and Christopher Brown, the Americans have amassed a perfect 4-0 mark, including a dominant 140-67 win over Jordan in their Round of 16 game on Wednesday. New Zealand will square off next against Switzerland on July 4 for an opportunity to appear in the semifinals. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin basketball commits lead New Zealand to second win at FIBA U19 World Cup
Wisconsin basketball class of 2025 commit Hayden Jones led New Zealand to its second straight pool play win of the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup on Sunday. A day removed from its 77-72 victory and fourth-quarter comeback against Argentina, New Zealand pocketed a commanding 73-50 triumph over Mali in its second group stage contest of the circuit. New Zealand held Mali to just 12 total points in the second half, enabling Jones and his teammates to morph a three-point edge into a 23-point blowout. Jones, who committed to the Badgers' program on July 25, 2024, registered a game-best 19 points off 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard also snared eight rebounds and dished out two assists in his 25 minutes of action. Of note, 12 of Jones' points arrived in the second quarter, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to push New Zealand ahead at the half. His fellow New Zealand national team member and Badger commit Jackson Ball, who accounted for a team-high 17 points against Argentina, finished with six points, three rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes of play. Through two games, Jones leads his country with 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, followed by 11.5 points and three assists per contest from Ball. The Americans, who roster future professional stars Koa Peat, AJ Dybantsa, Morez Johnson Jr. and Christopher Brown, secured an 88-73 win over Australia in their first pool play game. New Zealand will square off next against Serbia on July 1 for a chance to claim a 3-0 mark in Pool A. If the squad earns an unblemished record, it will advance to the knockout stage in search of an appearance in the tournament's championship match on July 6. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin star transfer forward commits to the reigning national champion
Wisconsin star transfer forward commits to the reigning national champion Wisconsin women's basketball star transfer forward Serah Williams committed to UConn on Wednesday. Williams entered the portal last month after three decorated years with the Badgers. The Brooklyn, New York, native burst onto the scene immediately as a true freshman in 2022-23, starting 30 games and averaging 24.8 minutes, 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and a Big Ten-best 1.9 blocks. She then took a significant step forward as a sophomore in 2023-24, averaging 17.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and a Big Ten-best 2.8 blocks per game over 30 appearances. Her play that season earned a First-Team All-Big Ten honor, as well as the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Finally, Williams excelled yet again as a junior in 2024-25, tallying 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. The forward entered the portal on March 12, just three days after head coach Marisa Moseley resigned. She now commits to a UConn program that is the undisputed best in women's college basketball, fresh off a 2025 national title. Since coach Geno Auriemma took over in 1985, the program has claimed 12 national championships, plus hasn't missed the NCAA Tournament since 1988. The now-former Badger will get a chance to contribute on college basketball's biggest stage as a senior in 2025-26. She will do so as Wisconsin undergoes a program rebuild under new coach Robin Pingeton. The Badgers are still in search of their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
