Year One of the Tony Granato Experience was an unmitigated success.
A season after the Badgers managed just eight victories, Wisconsin won 20 games in 2016-17, good enough for second in the Big Ten. The Badgers finished the season ranked 17th in the country and just missed the NCAA tournament after a double-overtime loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament final.
There were individual accolades to be had in addition to the team’s success. Granato won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award and forward Trent Frederic brought home Big Ten Freshman of the Year.