The Jump Around

Shawn Eichorst has officially taken over as Wisconsin's athletic director — and his first public comments are already generating debate. On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to Eichorst's introductory press conference, including his comparison of Wisconsin to Texas and what his vision could mean for the future of Badger athletics. In this episode: Shawn Eichorst's...

Wisconsin has officially named Shawn Eichorst as its next athletic director. Was this the right move for the future of Badger athletics? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to Wisconsin's biggest offseason decision and discuss what the hire means for football, basketball, NIL, and the future of the athletic department. In this episode: Our reaction to Wisconsin o...

The Jump Around is LIVE on ESPN Madison reacting to reports that Shawn Eichorst is expected to become Wisconsin's next Director of Athletics. Jim Rutledge & Riley Jauch are on the air! What does the reported hire mean for the future of Wisconsin football, Luke Fickell, Badgers basketball, NIL, revenue sharing, and the direction of the athletic department? Eichorst is a Wisconsin native and former...

The Wisconsin Badgers open the 2026 season with one of their biggest challenges in years: a showdown against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field for the 2026 Shamrock Series. On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch break down whether the Shamrock Series matchup could set the tone for Wisconsin’s entire season and what the Badgers need to show against a national title contender to...

Can Wisconsin football exceed expectations in 2026? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to Phil Steele’s latest preseason preview and discuss why he believes the Badgers are poised for a major improvement this season. From projected offensive production to quarterback Colton Joseph’s outlook, we break down whether Wisconsin fans should share that optimism. In thi...

Wisconsin football is on a recruiting heater. The Badgers have added several key commitments to their 2027 recruiting class and now sit among the top-ranked classes in the country. Is this a sign that Luke Fickell's vision is finally taking shape, or are recruiting rankings less important in the transfer portal era? On this episode of The Jump Around with Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch, we discuss:...

Has Luke Fickell actually improved Wisconsin football? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch examine the biggest question surrounding the Badgers heading into the 2026 season. Despite several difficult years for the program, Luke Fickell has brought in promising young talent, including Cooper Catalano, Mason Posa, and quarterback Colton Joseph. But has it been enough? To...

Is Wisconsin football becoming irrelevant in the modern college football landscape? On this episode of The Jump Around, Jim Rutledge and Riley Jauch react to anonymous Big Ten coaches taking shots at the Badgers and debate whether Wisconsin football is still viewed as a nationally relevant program. We discuss: Why many people seem down on Wisconsin football What the Badgers must do to become natio...

Could Wisconsin football have won a national championship in an expanded College Football Playoff? On this episode of The Jump Around, we dive into the growing debate surrounding the future of the CFP as the Big Ten reportedly pushes for a 24-team playoff while the SEC prefers a 16-team format. What would expansion mean for the Wisconsin Badgers? Would it actually improve UW’s chances to compete f...

The future of Wisconsin athletics is officially in motion. The Wisconsin Badgers announced the nine-person committee tasked with selecting the university’s next athletic director — and the names are drawing major reactions. From Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard to former Badgers stars Michael Finley and Meghan Duggan, who will have the biggest influence on the future of UW athletics? On this ep...

Are the Wisconsin Badgers being underrated heading into 2026? On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down where Wisconsin truly belongs in the Big Ten after being projected as low as #14 by major outlets. Is the national perception fair... or way off?? We also kick off our Athletic Director search series with a deep dive into Shawn Eichorst: the Wisconsin native and current Texas deputy AD w...

For the first time since 1978, Wisconsin football had ZERO players drafted in the NFL Draft… 😳 Is this rock bottom for Wisconsin Badgers football under Luke Fickell — or is there reason for optimism? On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down: What the “no draft picks” reality means for the program Key takeaways from spring practice (including major OL improvement 👀) Why the defense may s...

Big news for Wisconsin basketball - John Blackwell is heading to Duke, while Nolan Winter is staying a Badger for life… and the fanbase is split. On this week’s episode of The Jump Around, we dive into: Blackwell to Duke reaction — are you rooting for him or not? Comparing John Blackwell vs Nolan Winter’s legacy at Wisconsin Rapid-fire “one word” breakdown of every major Wisconsin program Big Cat’...

The Jump Around is LIVE with the latest on the Wisconsin Badgers, including the ongoing search for a new Athletic Director and the potential role of Barry Alvarez after his appearance on Wilde and Tausch yesterday... In today’s episode, we discuss: Should Barry Alvarez be involved in Wisconsin’s AD search? Did the Badgers make a mistake distancing themselves from Barry? What qualities does Wiscons...

Chris McIntosh is out as athletic director at Wisconsin Badgers, leaving for a senior role with the Big Ten — and it raises a major question: Did he leave… or did he jump ship? In this special emergency episode of The Jump Around, we break down: Why McIntosh made the move now The state of Wisconsin athletics in the NIL era Whether the Badgers have fallen behind the Big Ten The leadership vacuum fa...

Where does Wisconsin really fit in today’s college sports landscape? 🤔 On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down the biggest questions surrounding the Badgers: Are Wisconsin’s football and basketball programs closer to a blue blood or a mid-major in today’s NIL era? What does John Blackwell’s departure say about the state of Wisconsin athletics? Can the Badgers realistically compete for c...

The Wisconsin Badgers are under the microscope 👀 On this episode of The Jump Around, we break down some of the biggest questions surrounding Wisconsin athletics: What grade does Athletic Director Chris McIntosh deserve right now? Are there real concerns about Luke Fickell and Wisconsin football heading into 2026? Early spring practice takeaways, including defensive dominance and QB development Fr...

Wisconsin had everything lined up for a March run — and still lost to High Point. The Jump Around breaks down the Badgers’ shocking Round of 64 exit, what went wrong late, and the bigger questions now facing Greg Gard and Wisconsin basketball. Jim Rutledge and Pablo Iglesias discuss the brutal ending to a season that felt like it could be different, why Wisconsin couldn’t get stops late, whether r...

The Sweet 16 is set, and for Wisconsin fans, it somehow hurts even more. Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust react to the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, why the Badgers’ loss to High Point still stings, and how the Big Ten’s success made it all worse. Iowa and Nebraska are somehow one win away from the Final Four, while Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois are all still ali...

The Wisconsin Badgers just suffered a stunning 83-82 loss to High Point… and it’s how it happened that makes it even worse 😳 Jim Rutledge, Riley Jauch, and Molly Brown react to a game Wisconsin led by 8 points with just over 7 minutes left before everything unraveled. High Point closed on a late surge, hitting 7 of their final 9 shots, while the Badgers fell apart down the stretch with turnovers,...

Former Badger and current Wisconsin assistant coach Brad Davison joins The Jump Around Extra! He chats with Pablo Iglesias and Riley Jauch about his journey from playing to coaching, what the Badgers are preparing for against High Point, why this team can make a deep run, what makes Greg Gard special, and much more!

It’s officially March Madness time for the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball. On this week’s episode of The Jump Around, we break down everything you need to know ahead of Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament matchup vs High Point Panthers men's basketball as a #5 seed. High Point enters on a 14-game winning streak and is one of the highest scoring teams in the country (90 PPG) — is this a dangerous match...

March Mode is back as Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust react to the Badgers’ NCAA Tournament draw and break down Wisconsin’s path in the bracket. The Badgers are a 5 seed in the West Region and will face 12 seed High Point in the first round in Portland. Is the early tip actually a problem? Is High Point being overhyped as a 12-over-5 upset pick? And how should Wisconsin fans feel about...

The bracket is out. Alex Strouf hosts March Mode LIVE with Wisconsin Final Four legend Ben Brust and producer Riley Jauch reacting to the Wisconsin Badgers being named a #5 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin will face #12 High Point in the first round as the Badgers look to reach the second weekend for the first time since 2017. We break down: • Wisconsin vs High Point match...

It was an offensive explosion from Wisconsin's stars as Nick Boyd went off for 38 points while John Blackwell added 31, powering the #5 seeded Badgers past #4 Illinois in one of the wildest games of the Big Ten Tournament. With the win, Wisconsin advances to the semifinals where they'll face Michigan Wolverines men's basketball tomorrow. On this Jump Around Postgame Show, hosts Riley Jauch and Pab...