Greg Gard says opening NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee is 'a reward' for Wisconsin

Wisconsin did not end the year the way the Badgers were hoping, but the work put in during the regular season paid off on Selection Sunday. When the bracket for the NCAA Tournament was revealed, Wisconsin received the 3-seed in the Midwest Region.

In the regular-season finale, the Badgers missed a shot at the outright B1G title with a loss to Nebraska. Johnny Davis was dinged up in that loss and looked out of sorts with a 3-for-19 shooting performance during a quarterfinal loss to Michigan State in the B1G Tournament.

Fortunately, the regular season performance by Wisconsin was rewarded on Sunday. The Badgers were the highest seed out of the B1G and landed in the Midwest Region.

With that placement, Wisconsin will get to play in Milwaukee during the Round of 64 and the Round of 32, should the Badgers advance. Head coach Greg Gard called that placement “a reward” for the hard work during the season.

Greg Gard expected to be seeded in Milwaukee, but says you can’t take getting a seed for granted: ” I see the work these guys put in over the other 11 months of the year, so to be able to have them go on this journey … and play here in Milwaukee, it’s a reward.”

— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) March 13, 2022

#Badgers coach Greg Gard notes that the seeding and location turned out as he expected.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) March 13, 2022

Hopefully, the Badgers can make that solid seeding pay off. Wisconsin’s first game will be against 14-seed Colgate.