If Wisconsin makes a change at the end of the 2026 season, Fickell’s buyout will drop to around $13.6 million. But if it doesn’t turn around, the Badgers could be digging a hole into a crater from which it will take years to recover.

It was amazing to see, and it just gives us so much energy.” One of the only people in the building who tempered their excited in the moment was his dad, but that didn't stop head coach Greg Gard from gushing about the progress his son has made since joining the program as a walk-on before the 2022 season.

Setter Charlie Fuerbringer returned from a shoulder injury to help lead Wisconsin to a sweep over Indiana. Middle blocker Carter Booth had a strong performance with 11 kills and five blocks. The Badgers' offense was highly efficient, siding out at an 83% rate for the match.

Wolverines battled back in a scoring frenzy, snatching the lead and silencing Wisconsin's perfect season with late empty-netters.

Kinziger, Wisconsin’s top recruit in the Class of 2025, was a star at De Pere High School and came in with the potential to play early. But, through the Badgers’ first two games, it has been fellow freshmen Hayden Jones, Will Garlock, and Aleksas Bieliauskas in the rotation instead.

Watch Wisconsin football fans storm Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday after the Badgers snapped their six-game losing skid with a win over Washington:

Nick Boyd's starring role and Isaac Gard's impactful minute are among the takeaways from Wisconsin's win over Northern Illinois.