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.
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/
Chris McIntosh shocks Wisconsin fans with his sudden departure, plus heartbreak in NCAA final for men's hockey (04.13.2026)
Apr 13, 2026
Show notes
Didn't see that coming! University of Wisconsin athletics director Chris McIntosh has resigned from his post, effective immediately, and is taking a job with the Big Ten Conference. That leaves the program in an interesting limbo. Journal Sentinel reporter Mark Stewart joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the surprising nature of his departure, what it means for the much-maligned football program and more. They also discuss Stewart's trip to see the Wisconsin men's hockey team in the Frozen Four, where the Badgers narrowly missed a national championship with a 2-1 loss to Denver in the final.
Two key Badgers in the transfer portal; is Greg Gard's offseason job harder than ever? (04.08.2026)
Apr 08, 2026
Show notes
With the loss of top men's basketball contributors John Blackwell and Aleksas Bieliauskas to the transfer portal, Wisconsin finds itself needing to replace a whole lot of production next year. But hey, bringing in a ton of transfers worked well for national champion Michigan. Badgers reporter John Steppe and host JR Radcliffe discuss the state of the men's hoops roster and also wraps up the women's season. Plus: The football team has been bringing in a ton of in-state recruits lately; has something shifted in their recruiting strategy? John also gives his latest spring practice observations.
Hockey madness, spring football and a women's basketball team still playing (03.30.2026)
Mar 30, 2026
Show notes
Badgers reporters John Steppe and Mark Stewart join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the blizzard of Wisconsin athletics happenings, including a national championship for the women's hockey team and the men's hockey team reaching the Frozen Four. Both needed overtime wins to secure their prizes, with the women landing a ninth championship and third in the last four years. How does Mark Johnson do this? Was the men's run a surprise? What does hockey mean right now to Madison? Plus, some reactions to spring practice and the story lines to watch. Are we going to know the names of any key contributors from last year? John checks in from Wichita where he's about to watch the women's team face off in the WBIT semifinals on a run that included a crazy victory over Harvard. And, yes, we haven't yet spoken about the men's basketball team's heartbreaking end to the season and their first-round loss to High Point. We dive into that as well.
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