Bleacher Report ranks "Top 15 College Football Towns" and Madison, Wisconsin is #1!

MADISON -- "Bleacher Report" has ranked the "Top 15 College Football Towns" in the United States -- and Madison, Wisconsin, home of the Wisconsin Badgers is number one!According to Bleacher Report, this list was based on a town's relationship to its college football program, passion in terms of fan support, traditions, culture and entertainment options on football weekends.The complete list of "Top 15 College Football Towns" via Bleacher Report is as follows:15: Morgantown, West Virginia14: South Bend, Indiana13: Gainesville, Florida12: Baton Rouge, Louisiana11: State College, Pennsylvania10: Auburn, Alabama9: Clemson, South Carolina8: Tuscaloosa, Alabama7: Knoxville, Tennessee6: Oxford, Mississippi5: Lincoln, Nebraska4: Athens, Georgia3: Ann Arbor, Michigan2: College Station, Texas1: Madison, WisconsinAccording to Bleacher Report, Madison, Wisconsin has been ranked number one in the past by NCAA.com, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.Below is what factored into Madison's number one ranking, according to Bleacher Report:

Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes to enter NBA draft, won't sign with agent

MADISON — Wisconsin forward Nigel Hayes is submitting his name for the NBA draft but will not sign with an agent.The Badgers' leading scorer confirmed his decision on Wednesday through a team spokesman.New rules allow players to enter their names in the draft by April 24, and withdraw by May 25 and return to school as long as they have not signed with an agent.

Former star Tony Granato to take reigns of UW Badgers men's hockey program

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Badgers are again turning to one of their own to run the men's hockey program.Former Wisconsin star Tony Granato takes the reigns from Mike Eaves, who was fired after 14 seasons.Granato, a 1988 Olympian, played for 13 years in the NHL.Granato's brother Don is expected to be on the UW staff.

NCAA Tournament: Badgers fall to Fighting Irish

PHILADELPHIA -- Demetrius Jackson stripped the ball and scored the go-ahead layup with 14.7 seconds left and Notre Dame advanced to the brink of its first Final Four in 38 years with a 61-56 win over Wisconsin on Friday night in the East Region semifinal of the NCAA Tournament.Jackson sealed the win with a pair of free throws to send the Irish (24-11) into a regional final for the second straight season.Notre Dame lost to Kentucky a year ago.

Sweet 16: Badgers in Philly, gearing up for matchup Friday night vs. Notre Dame

PHILADELPHIA -- The Wisconsin Badgers arrived in Philadelphia last on Wednesday night, March 23rd, and on Thursday, they practiced and met with the media ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup with Notre Dame on Friday night, March 25th.The Badgers were the first team on the court on Thursday for practice at the Wells Fargo Center.The No. 7 Badgers face the No. 6 Fighting Irish at 6:27 p.m. Friday.On Thursday, the University of Wisconsin band and fans were there as the players and new Head Coach Greg Gard geared up for the big game."It's a dream come true to be able to have, be a role model for kids, in a sense.

Big Ten tournament: Badgers fall 70-58 to Cornhuskers

INDIANAPOLIS — Shavon Shields scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead 11th-seeded Nebraska to a 70-58 victory over No. 6 seed Wisconsin in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament Thursday night.Nebraska (16-17) will face No. 3 seed Maryland in Friday's quarterfinals.

Marquette falls to Xavier 90-72

NEW YORK — Trevon Bluiett matched his career high with 24 points and No. 5 Xavier dominated from start to finish in a 90-72 victory over Marquette on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.The Musketeers took advantage of foul trouble by Marquette star center Henry Ellenson to have a big advantage in points in the paint early and finished with a 42-32 difference.Xavier (27-4) advanced to Friday's semifinals to face the winner of third-seeded Seton Hall and sixth-seeded Creighton.It will be the Musketeers second straight trip to the semifinals.

Greg Gard officially named the 16th head men's basketball coach at UW

MADISON -- After the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved his contract Monday night, March 7th, Greg Gard was named the 16th head men's basketball coach in UW history."It's an honor and a privilege to be named the head coach at the University of Wisconsin," Gard said. "I'm extremely thankful to Coach Alvarez, the Athletic Board and the Board of Regents for this incredible opportunity to lead my home-state program into the future.