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During the Milwaukee Brewers' unprecedented march to the World Series, Wisconsin men's basketball coach Greg Gard was fully immersed in the excitement. On the day of Game 3 of the National League Division Series, Gard opened his local media day press conference by adopting Brewers manager Pat Murphy's style, asking unfamiliar reporters to introduce themselves. Later, after the Badgers' exhibition victory over Oklahoma State, Gard approached the podium in the Kohl Center media room wearing a Brewers jersey and cap while Game 4 of the World Series was still in progress.
The Brewers' 2026 triumph, achieved with the smallest media market in Major League Baseball and a payroll in the league's lower half, struck a chord with Gard, who leads a college basketball program that must be highly strategic and intentional with its resources. "A great example is what our Brewers are doing right now," Gard said at the Big Ten's annual basketball media day in suburban Chicago. "Smallest market in baseball. I'm not saying we have the smallest market in college basketball, but we're not the Yankees or the Dodgers."
Unlike MLB, where player payrolls are transparent, college basketball lacks clarity regarding roster compensation. Gard noted in May that UW's roster resources have increased, but the market has also risen. "So we have to find a way to compete with the Yankees and the Dodgers," he said. "And we've done it, and we'll continue to do it."
Gard's remarks come after he has guided the Badgers to eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 opportunities, including two Sweet 16 trips. Despite a current Sweet 16 drought that has drawn criticism from some fans, Wisconsin's 19 top-10 wins under Gard rank 11th nationally, and his 19th such victory surpassed mentor Bo Ryan for the most in program history. The Badgers' 131-83 Big Ten record during Gard's tenure is third-best in the conference over that span.
The Brewers' ability to outperform peers with fewer resources is just one aspect of their success that resonates with Gard, now in his 26th season at Madison and 12th as head coach. "I'm happy for Pat and that team," Gard said. "You talk about the epitome of a team—who's the MVP of that team? Is it Miz? Is it Yelich? It's the team. They have accomplished something there that nobody thought was possible, and they've done it collectively. It's a good time to be in Wisconsin."
With the Wisconsin men's basketball 2026-27 season officially tipping off on Nov. 2, Gard now has his chance to contribute to the state's remarkable sports year.
Key Analysis
Gard's admiration for the Brewers' model underscores the parallel challenges between small-market MLB teams and college basketball programs that lack the financial firepower of traditional powerhouses. The Brewers' collective success serves as a motivational blueprint for Gard's squad, which aims to translate resourcefulness into on-court results. As the Badgers prepare for the upcoming season, the coach's emphasis on teamwork and strategic resource allocation could be pivotal in navigating a competitive Big Ten landscape.
Originally reported by yahoo.