Ahead of the 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, the Wisconsin Badgers want to recover their status as a postseason powerhouse. That journey begins Friday night in Brooklyn, New York, against No. 12-seed James Madison.

Before the Badgers’ quest for their first Sweet Sixteen since 2016-17, it’s time to look back at the program’s best NCAA Tournament run in its history:

Wisconsin staged a two-year run of excellence during Bo Ryan’s last seasons patrolling the sidelines. Their 2015 run resulted in a national championship game defeat to Mike Krzyzewski and No. 1 Duke.

Still, the Badgers survived five rounds of turmoil while demonstrating their prowess on both ends of the court. Anchored by Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker, and Nigel Hayes, this platoon remains one of the best to ever step foot in Madison during the 21st century.

Kaminsky, awarded with practically every collegiate accolade available in 2015, enjoyed an eight-year NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets. Dekker and Hayes would also don NBA clothes, but the trio’s most defining moments happened during their tenures as Badgers in March and April.

Here is a look back at how Wisconsin reached the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament championship game in 2015.  Kaminsky sank 27 points, snatched 12 boards, and handed out four helpers on route to a victory 86-72 over No. 16 Coastal Carolina. Dekker and Hayes combined for 35, and the Badgers shot over 54% from the field.

Dekker led the charge with 17 points, five rebounds, and six blocks in a 72-65 win. Kaminsky followed with 16 points, while Hayes scored 14. Despite posting a 43.1% clip from the floor and a 30.4% mark from downtown, Wisconsin’s execution late carried them to the Sweet 16.

After facing a seven-point deficit midway through the second half, the Badgers recovered to overcome North Carolina 79-72. Once again, Dekker led the offensive with 23 tallies and 10 rebounds. Kaminsky added 19 points on a perfect 8-8 mark from the foul line, and Hayes chipped in with 12.

Dekker exhibited his clutch marksmanship throughout the winning period of this battle. The Wisconsin native blasted five second-half three-point field goals, including a pair of critical looks to calm Wildcat scoring surges, on way to 27 tallies. Kaminsky scored 29 points and six boards in an 85-78 triumph.

In a clash of two No. 1 seeds, the Badgers gave Kentucky its first setback of the season and destroyed John Calipari’s chances of finishing the year at 40-0. Kaminsky, on his 22nd birthday, scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 71-64 triumph. Dekker had 16, and UW officially won a berth to its first title game since 1941.

Despite a 21-11-2 from Kaminsky and 25 combined tallies from Dekker and Hayes, the Badgers finished their season before 71,149 rowdy fans in Lucas Oil Stadium. Their 68-63 defeat marked Kaminsky’s final game as a Badger, but the team set a school record with 36 wins.