When the University of Wisconsin hauled in a new coaching staff during the offseason — consisting of head coach Tony Granato and associate head coaches Don Granato and Mark Osiecki — many around the program were expecting a turnaround, though few expected it to come so quickly.
Before the season, the Badgers (20-15-1) were picked to finish second to last in the Big Ten, only ahead of Michigan State. While the Spartans stayed true to the projections and finished in last place, Wisconsin far exceeded its expectations, finishing second in the Big Ten and missing out on a Big Ten tournament title and NCAA tournament bid by 1 goal.