Coming off what could easily be described as Wisconsin’s best week of basketball this season, the Badgers must get ready to face what was once thought to be a national contender in Iowa.

The game marks a meeting of two teams that had very different expectations at the beginning of the season and have gone in opposite directions throughout the year.

It was nearly a foregone conclusion at the beginning of the season that Wisconsin would finish near the bottom the Big Ten, while Iowa would finish in first or second and become a national contender.

However, it is the Badgers that come into Tuesday’s contest on a roll after having won four consecutive Big Ten contests, including two impressive road wins against conference leader Indiana and third place Minnesota. The Badgers have also beaten nationally ranked Ohio State during this impressive stretch of basketball.

Despite the fact that the Badgers have nearly secured an invitation to the NCAA tournament, you would be hard pressed to hear Badger head coach Bo Ryan discussing post-season play with two home games remaining on the schedule.

“I think they [the players] deserve whatever they get when the season’s over, but we’ve got two more games,” said Ryan. “I’ll answer that when the regular season’s over. All I’m hoping is that they get what they deserve.”

In the two teams’ meeting at Carver-Hawkeye Arena earlier this season, the Badgers lost 69-57. Star forward Reggie Evans was dominant as he put up 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. At the time the Hawkeyes had an 11-3 record, two of their losses had come against top five teams, and they appeared to be on the right track to living up to their lofty expectations.

It was the first Big Ten game for each team, and the Badgers were able to bounce back from the loss and beat Illinois, the first of their many surprising Big Ten wins. The loss was the first look that many of the Badgers got at playing in the Big Ten, and Bo Ryan used it as something for the team to learn from.

“It was the first Big Ten game,” commented Ryan. “This is what it’s going to be like guys, for the first-year kids who haven’t gone through this. This is how loud it’s going to be, how hard it is trying to get things done. Get used to it because it’s not going to get any easier.”

Since the first meeting Iowa has gone 3-11 and are currently on a four-game losing streak that has all but ended its NCAA tournament dreams. The Hawkeyes’ terrible play has landed them in ninth place in the conference and left many Iowa fans and supporters scratching their heads at the collapse. But there is no simple answer for the Hawkeyes’ demise.

“It’s all in how you handle it with your players and try to get them to understand their own expectations more than trying figure out other peoples expectations,” said Ryan speaking of similar situations he’s been in. “So if you get a ‘W,’ how did you get a ‘W,’ what were the strengths; if you get a bump, what were the weaknesses?”

The game will take on extra meaning for the Badgers and coach Ryan. Ryan, who had compiled 383 wins in his 17th year of head coaching previous to this season, will be going for his 400th career victory.

“Actually, getting a head-coaching job later in life than a lot of guys, I was probably fortunate because I learned things. As an assistant here, as a high school head coach, as a junior high coach, as an assistant in NAIA, there are a lot of things you learn along the way,” said Ryan. “I’ve just been fortunate enough to coach in that many games. I guess you have to throw the losses in there too?that’s something you don’t think about. I’ve just been fortunate.”

Should Bo Ryan get his 400th win, he would do it under the national spotlight, as ESPN makes this the Badgers’ only nationally televised regular season game this year.

The Badgers have been excellent on offense during their last four games, scoring an average of 74 points. Coach Ryan will be looking for a replication of last game’s play from Travon Davis. The senior had led the team with eight rebounds and seven assists.

“Davis did a heck of a job. He gave some good help and he had a heck of a game,” commented Ryan. “I know a lot of Kirk’s points couldn’t have happened without Travon having that kind of game.”

While Ryan won’t talk directly about the team’s post-season aspirations, most outside observers believe that Wisconsin might get into the tournament with one more victory and certainly would with two. Suddenly, the once lowly Badgers have the number 51 RPI, a factor that weighs heavily with the selection committee.

“I don’t know what is on their minds (the selection committee),” said Ryan. “In fairness to our players, I think if you finish strong it has to be that you reward people that learn and get better as the season goes on, but I think if our players continue to be successful on the floor I don’t know how you can take an opportunity from them.”