COLLEGE PARK, Md. — It's February.
Narratives loom over the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team following an abysmal February last season, in which it lost six of eight games, but coach Greg Gard has at separate moments dismissed those thoughts as the team approaches the crucial month.
How can the Badgers capitalize on a stretch of five games where four are played on the road between the end of January and the middle of February?
"I never make a big deal of home or road. We never have," Gard said following the Badgers' win over Nebraska on Jan. 26. "... (The) preparation is the same. We have a game plan. If you zero in on what you're supposed to be doing, what happens outside the lines doesn't matter, right? Whether it's crowd noise for you or against you, you still have to go play.
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"... We're flying around on a private chartered plane. We'll have some nice box meals for us, I'm sure, Tuesday afternoon when we fly to Maryland. Stay in a good hotel," Gard continued. "We're flying around playing basketball. There's much more difficult things in life that you could be doing than changing time zones playing basketball."
After another strong start to the season, how can the Badgers avoid the snowballing effect they have experienced the last two seasons after two losses in three games?
"I don't worry about other years," Gard said, addressing the reporter who asked the question. "You've been around me long enough to (know that) ... onto the next game. We got to get ready for Northwestern, and they're going to be a handful, so making sure we keep getting better."
A 76-68 loss to Maryland at the XFINITY Center on Wednesday, though, served as a reminder: Collapses have been a trend for Gard's teams in each of the past two seasons. Wisconsin started 11-2 in 2022-23 before losing six of its next seven games and never winning two games in a row for the rest of the regular season. The Badgers failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament that season, later regaining some early-season form with a run to the National Invitation Tournament semifinal.
The Badgers were much improved last season, coinciding with a change to the offense that lifted its ceiling. But after a 16-4 start and heading into a Feb. 1, 2024 matchup with Nebraska, Wisconsin won just three more games the rest of the regular season before regaining form with a run to the Big Ten tournament championship game.
Both seasons ended the same way: With a disappointing performance that felt like a rerun of the issues that had plagued the program in the past. And this season, Wisconsin (16-5, 6-4 Big Ten) enters the month of February in a similar position as it was a year ago.
Gard's thought process has some merit, though. Especially in the most transient era of college basketball to date, a particular season's results likely won't overlap with another's nearly as much as they once did. But as the Badgers head on the road to play Northwestern at 1 p.m. Saturday — the second of four road games over the next five contests — finding ways to win away from home will be crucial for the Badgers.
"It's just life on the road in the Big Ten," graduate forward Steven Crowl said of a tough environment against the Terrapins. "We play again on Saturday, and hopefully we bounce back."
Wisconsin hasn't shown signs it is trending down despite multiple losses over an eight-day span. It is still ranked among the top 10 in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency metric with 122.8 points per possession (No. 9). Its defense still analytically improved after its showing against Maryland — allowing 98.3 points per 100 possessions, which ranks 46th per KenPom. The Badgers still haven't lost a game against a team outside of Quadrant 1, as defined by the the NCAA's NET ranking. But the crowd at the XFINITY Center clearly had an effect on the Badgers, who will have to endure plenty more hostile environments like that soon.
The schedule is getting harder, too. Following the road stretch, Wisconsin will return home for a three-game home stand: against No. 18 Illinois on Feb. 18, No. 16 Oregon on Feb. 22 and Washington on Feb. 25. As the Badgers hope to regain early-season form and vault themselves into elite status among Big Ten programs, the upcoming slate of games could help them reach it.
Or, things could go in the other direction.
Gard noted, following his team's loss to UCLA on Jan. 21, that he hasn't had to address a losing locker room in a while. Now, he has another bit of recent experience with it. But graduate guard John Tonje said that there's plenty more examples of what Wisconsin has done well this season and that it needs to remain consistent to get back on track.
In other words, it can't "jump ship" now.
"There's no reason to lose confidence right now," Tonje said. "We're confident in who we are and how we come together and bounce back from things like this. I think we have a mature team that's willing to learn from each win and loss, and I think we'll be just fine moving forward."
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball falters down the stretch in Big Ten road battle
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell pushes past Maryland guard Rodney Rice toward the basket during the second half Wednesday night.
Maryland forward Julian Reese drives past Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter during the second half Wednesday night.
Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl dribbles while Maryland forward Julian Reese defends during the second half Wednesday night.
Maryland guard Rodney Rice looks to pass during the second half Wednesday night.
Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie looks to pass in front of Wisconsin guard John Blackwell during the second half Wednesday night.
Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie celebrates his team's victory over Wisconsin with fans Wednesday night.
Maryland center Derik Queen drives past Wisconsin guard John Blackwell during the second half Wednesday night.
Maryland forward Julian Reese drives past Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter during the second half Wednesday night.
Wisconsin fell to Maryland to lose for the second time in three games.
Maryland forward Julian Reese celebrates his team's victory over Wisconsin Wednesday night.
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard watches during the first half Wednesday night.
Wisconsin forward Xavier Amos drives toward the basket past Maryland forward Tafara Gapare during the first half Wednesday night.
Maryland guard Selton Miguel celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the first half Wednesday night.
Maryland forward Tafara Gapare falls to the ground after being fouled against by Wisconsin guard John Tonje during the first half Wednesday night.
Maryland center Derik Queen grabs the rebound while Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl attempts to gain possession of the ball during the first half Wednesday night.
Maryland guard Rodney Rice reacts after being fouled against by Wisconsin guard John Tonje during the first half Wednesday night.
Wisconsin guard John Tonje looks to shoot as Maryland guard Selton Miguel defends during the first half Wednesday night.
Wisconsin guard John Tonje drives toward the basket as Maryland guard DeShawn Harris-Smith, left, and Maryland forward Tafara Gapare defend during the first half Wednesday night.
