Kristian Ferrell
The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The men's basketball team has a rich history, with a single National Championship win in 1941. This win was the culmination of a 12-game winning streak and the team's only NCAA national championship title to date. The Wisconsin Badgers have also clinched three Premo-Porretta National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916) and four Helms Foundation National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916, 1941).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first and only NCAA Championship win | 1941 |
| Names of players in the starting lineup | Ted Strain, Gene Englund, Charles Epperson, Johnny Kotz, and Fred Rehm |
| Coach | Harold "Bud" Foster |
| Names of breakout players | John Kotz and Gene Englund |
| Number of Premo-Porretta National Championship wins | 3 (1912, 1914, 1916) |
| Number of Helms Foundation National Championship wins | 4 (1912, 1914, 1916, 1941) |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 2 |
| Year of most recent Final Four appearance | 2000 |
| Number of consecutive seasons in the NCAA tournament | 14 (1999-2012) |
| Number of non-NCAA national titles in rowing | 30 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team won the NCAA championship in 1941
- This was the team's first and only NCAA championship title
- The Wisconsin women's hockey team won the NCAA Women's National Championship in 2007
- The Badgers won their fourth national championship in 2011
- The Wisconsin basketball legacy began in 1898 under coach Dr. James C. Elsom
The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team won the NCAA championship in 1941
The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team has a long and proud history, with the team's first season beginning in December 1898 under the guidance of their inaugural coach, Dr. James C. Elsom. The 1940-1941 team stands out as an iconic era for the Badgers, as they clinched the NCAA national championship title that season.
Led by coach Harold "Bud" Foster, the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team of 1940-1941 broke multiple school and conference records on their way to winning the NCAA championship. This team remains the only Badgers men's basketball side to have won the national championship. The team boasted two breakout stars, John Kotz and Gene Englund, who both had stellar individual seasons. Englund, the All-American team captain, set a Big Ten scoring record with 162 points and was named the conference's MVP. Kotz, a sophomore, was voted the outstanding player in the NCAA tournament and went on to become UW's career scoring leader by the end of his time at Wisconsin.
The Badgers' road to the championship wasn't without its challenges, as they got off to a rough start. However, they soon found their rhythm and embarked on an impressive 12-game winning streak, culminating in their first undisputed Big Ten championship since 1918. This streak contributed to their impressive overall season record of 20-3.
The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team's triumph in the 1941 NCAA Tournament remains a shining moment in the program's history. It is a testament to the team's resilience, talent, and determination. Their success has solidified the Badgers' reputation as a powerhouse in college basketball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's rich history.
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This was the team's first and only NCAA championship title
The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The men's basketball team has won one NCAA championship title in its history, in 1941. This was the team's first and only NCAA championship title.
The 1940-1941 season was a breakout year for the Badgers, with players John Kotz and Gene Englund leading the team to a 12-game winning streak. Kotz, a sophomore, was voted the outstanding player in the NCAA tournament, while Englund, in his final season with the Badgers, set a Big Ten conference scoring record with 162 points and was named the MVP.
The team got off to a rough start, but went on to break multiple school and conference records before clinching the NCAA championship title. The team was coached by Harold "Bud" Foster, Wisconsin's all-time "winningest" men's basketball coach. The Badgers defeated Dartmouth 51-50 in the final, with a starting lineup of Ted Strain, Englund, Charles Epperson, Kotz, and Fred Rehm.
The 1941 championship remains the only NCAA national championship title for the men's basketball team, though the University of Wisconsin has seen success in other sports, including hockey and rowing. The Badgers have also won several Premo-Porretta and Helms Foundation National Championships in basketball, further solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in college basketball.
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The Wisconsin women's hockey team won the NCAA Women's National Championship in 2007
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's men's basketball team has won one national championship. The 1940-1941 team, coached by Harold "Bud" Foster, is the only team to have achieved this feat. They broke multiple school and conference records and clinched the NCAA championship title with a 39-34 win.
While the men's basketball team has not won another national championship since, Wisconsin has found success in other sports. Notably, the Wisconsin women's hockey team won the NCAA Women's National Championship in 2025. This was their eighth national championship, with all of their wins coming under the leadership of coach Mark Johnson, the winningest coach in NCAA Division I women's hockey history.
Wisconsin's 2025 championship game was a rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes, having faced off in the 2023 and 2024 championship games as well. The Badgers boasted the best offense and defense in the country, with more than five goals scored per game and just over one goal conceded per game. Their star players included Laila Edwards, who scored a highlight reel goal, and Simms, who was named the Women's Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player.
The 1940-1941 men's basketball team and the 2025 women's hockey team have brought national glory to the University of Wisconsin-Madison through their outstanding performances and championship wins.
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The Badgers won their fourth national championship in 2011
The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The men's basketball team has a rich history, with the 1940-1941 team clinching the school's only NCAA national championship title. This team, coached by Harold "Bud" Foster, broke multiple school and conference records.
In addition to this NCAA championship, the Badgers have also clinched three Premo-Porretta National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916) and four Helms Foundation National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916, 1941).
The Badgers have made it to the Final Four twice in their history—in 1941 and 2000. In 2002-03, they won the Big Ten outright but then lost in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament to Ohio State. In the 2003-04 season, the team went on to win the program's first Big Ten Tournament title but lost to Pittsburgh in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team won their fourth national championship in 2011, defeating Boston University 4-1 at Tullio Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. This victory was under the leadership of head coach Tony Granato.
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The Wisconsin basketball legacy began in 1898 under coach Dr. James C. Elsom
The Wisconsin Badger basketball legacy began in December 1898 under the guidance of inaugural coach, Dr. James C. Elsom. The team has evolved into a perennial force in college basketball, capturing the nation's attention with their impressive performances.
The 1940-1941 season stands out as a landmark campaign for the Badgers. Under the leadership of Coach Harold "Bud" Foster, Wisconsin's all-time "winningest" men's basketball coach, the team embarked on a remarkable journey. Despite a rough start, the Badgers broke multiple school and conference records, showcasing their determination and talent.
The starting lineup of Ted Strain, Gene Englund, Charles Epperson, Johnny Kotz, and Fred Rehm played a pivotal role in the team's success. Gene Englund, the All-American team captain, set a Big Ten scoring record with 162 points and was named the conference's MVP. Meanwhile, sophomore Johnny Kotz, who would go on to become UW's career scoring leader, was voted the outstanding player in the NCAA tournament.
The Badgers' hard work culminated in their first and only NCAA National Championship title, clinching a 39-34 victory. This triumph remains one of the greatest success stories in Badger basketball history. The team's achievement was celebrated by thousands of fans who greeted them upon their return to Madison, with house mothers even suspending rules to allow female students to join the festivities.
In addition to their 1941 NCAA championship, the Badgers have also secured three Premo-Porretta National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916) and four Helms Foundation National Championships (1912, 1914, 1916, 1941). These victories highlight Wisconsin's rich basketball legacy and their enduring impact on the sport.
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