Milwaukee Journal Sentinel beat reporters Mark Stewart and John Steppe join host JR Radcliffe to analyze Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball, plus other UW sports.
Football falls to UCLA with USC on deck, young volleyball superstar continues to shine and more (10.23.2026)
Oct 23, 2026
Show notes
Badgers reporters John Steppe and Mark Stewart discuss Wisconsin's narrow football loss to UCLA, with questions about the secondary and passing game, a quarterback who can run but doesn't fill up the stat sheet in the air, an offensive line still feeling it out and yet ... a shot to win near the end. USC comes to town next; could the Badgers show they still belong in the Big Ten's upper-middle class with a win? Plus, they discuss volleyball and the emerging greatness of ultra-young freshman Decelise Champion, men's basketball and women's hockey.
Dominant win over Michigan State further strengthens idea that this year's Badgers are different (10.08.2026)
Oct 08, 2026
Show notes
A 31-3 over Michigan State gets the Badgers off to a 2-0 start, and now we have to ask just what this team is genuinely capable of doing. Could they hang with the three ranked opponents on the docket after the bye week? Host JR Radcliffe and Journal Sentinel reporter Mark Stewart look at a big day for Colton Joseph running the football, the star turn of Jacob Harris, the reshuffled offensive line and the defense holding a team to just a field goal without the benefit of a turnover. Plus: Nobody believes in the men's basketball team. Again.
Badgers pull an absolute stunner! Win over Penn State changes trajectory of season ... and maybe program? (09.29.2026)
Sep 29, 2026
Show notes
Badgers reporters Mark Stewart and John Steppe discuss the shocking result Sept. 26 when the Wisconsin Badgers went to Penn State and defeated the No. 13 Nittany Lions, 24-20, getting a 72-yard touchdown with 1:13 left on the clock. How did the Badgers do this, and what does it change about the season or the trajectory of the Luke Fickell era? Who stood out? How concerned are we still about a quarterback who threw three interceptions, including a pick-six? Is this a one-off or have they shown they have what it takes to stack into more success?
After strong showing against EMU, do we allow ourselves to think Badgers have a chance against Penn State? (09.24.2026)
Sep 24, 2026
Show notes
The Wisconsin Badgers enjoyed a 55-10 blowout over Eastern Michigan, providing perhaps just enough optimism that UW could hang with Penn State in the Big Ten opener Sept. 24. Just how much belief should there be? Badgers reporters John Steppe and Mark Stewart join host JR Radcliffe to look back at the win, including a buffet of turnovers and good special-teams play. What's the temperature on quarterback Colton Joseph after he and Tyrell Henry had such a big day? Is it possible the Badgers pull the upset?
They also discuss the start of Big Ten play in volleyball and a couple inductions into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame.
Was there anything inspiring about the Badgers win over Western Illinois? (09.17.2026)
Sep 17, 2026
Show notes
The Badgers defeated Western Illinois on the football field, but didn't exactly leave Badger nation inspired, even with a lopsided victory. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Mark Stewart and John Steppe join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the self-described mediocre day from quarterback Colton Joseph, the running game, the lack of turnovers on defense and what we need to see in the final tune-up against Eastern Michigan this weekend before Big Ten play begins.
They also discuss the latest for the women's volleyball team, including some injury updates, and look ahead to the men's basketball and women's hockey seasons on the horizon.
What do we make of Wisconsin's 41-13 loss against Notre Dame? (09.08.2026)
Sep 08, 2026
Show notes
Well, that went about as well as expected. The Badgers football team lost to Notre Dame in the Sept. 6 season opener, 41-13, but there were some encouraging signs early, including on defense and special teams. How did quarterback Colton Joseph look in his debut? Badgers reporter Mark Stewart joins host JR Radcliffe to break it down, from offensive line play to Mason Posa shining again to what questions remain as they prepare for Western Illinois.
Previewing Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame: What does success look like in this game? (09.03.2026)
Sep 03, 2026
Show notes
As the Badgers football team prepares to face Notre Dame, reporter John Steppe joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss what fans should expect. Do they have ANY chance in this game? If so, where might they have an advantage? Which players are John keeping an eye on, and what does success in this game look like? Is this season Luke Fickell's last stand? Plus, volleyball thoughts after the Badgers began 2-3, though all three losses are to top-five nationally ranked opponents.
Summer's over! Let's introduce you to the Badger football depth chart (08.26.2026)
Aug 26, 2026
Show notes
The football season is a little more than a week away, and now's the time to get to know who the top players will be for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. Host JR Radcliffe and Journal Sentinel reporters Mark Stewart and John Steppe go position-by-position, discussing the projected starters. Is the offense really in good hands with quarterback Colton Joseph? What do we make of the QB depth chart overall? Can the offensive line overcome some pretty key injuries? Which newcomers will ignite the defense behind the returning sophomore linebacker tandem of Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano?
Plus: John discusses what he saw from Wisconsin volleyball in their first two matches of the season against top-10 teams, and where Braeden Carrington stands as a potential returnee to the Badgers basketball team, now that (one of) the courts have weighed in.
A top candidate emerges for UW athletics director, plus a check in on offseason story lines (06.30.2026)
Jun 30, 2026
Show notes
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Badgers reporters John Steppe and Mark Stewart join host JR Radcliffe to discuss what appears to be the pending hire of Shawn Eichorst as the next athletics director at the University of Wisconsin. He's been AD at Nebraska and Miami and worked at places like Texas; how will he fit in his home state at UW, and what's his first order of business? Then, the guys check in on the various offseason story lines, recruiting and otherwise, surrounding football, basketball and volleyball. What should we know about top men's basketball recruit Baboucarr Ann and wildly intriguing volleyball newcomer Decelise Champion?
Transfer portal re-shapes basketball teams, plus Jack Sorgi commits to Badgers (04.27.2026)
Apr 27, 2026
Show notes
John Steppe and Mark Stewart from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discuss the re-shaped rosters for the men's and women's basketball teams. The men brought in a player from a team that turned into one of the biggest stories of 2025-26, and the women brought in a McDonald's All-American. Is recruiting overseas the way forward for a program like Wisconsin? Plus: The football team brings in Jack Sorgi, the son of a former UW starting quarterback, and a check-in with the volleyball team/
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
