Wisconsin hoops need to stop free-fall ASAP

It has been a rough stretch for the Wisconsin Badgers.

A week ago, the Baders were 16-3 and coming off a big win over Michigan State. Things were trending up for Wisconsin, which found itself ranked fifth in the nation in Gary Parrish's "Top 25 And 1" rankings and sixth in the AP Top 25.

First came a 80-72 loss at Nebraska. The Badgers had an 18-point second-half lead and then lost by eight in overtime. That's a killer.

Then, going up against arguably the best team in the country, the Badgers lost, 75-69, to Purdue. That wasn't shocking but it still hurts.

That's a tough two games but it wasn't a losing skid yet. Then Wisconsin dropped another tough one to Michigan on Wednesday night and the wheels officially fell off.

Now the Badgers find themselves ranked No. 14 in the "Top 25 And 1" and they'll likely continue to fall in the AP Top 25.

This is still a top-25 team and one capable of going on a March Madness run, but Wisconsin isn't out of the woods just yet. There are more-than-winnable games still remaining on the schedule, but nobody would have predicted this team to lose to Nebraska and Michigan a week ago – which just goes to show how quick your fate can turn in college basketball.

With a showdown against No. 10 Illinois and a rematch with No. 2 Purdue remaining on the schedule, Wisconsin needs to stop the bleeding right now.