Wisconsin Seals NCAA Tournament Fate, But Is The Coach's Job Safe?: REACTIONS

Wisconsin Badgers basketball coach Greg Gard bought himself some breathing room Thursday night after beating Rutgers.

The Badgers entered the final appearance at the Kohl Center of the season with a 2-7 record in the team's last nine games.

Wisconsin has been on a humiliating skid, and as I said prior to the game, I had absolutely zero faith in the team to win. The Badgers went from possibly being a one or two seed to being a bubble team. It was beyond embarrassing.

Wisconsin locks up NCAA Tournament spot.

Fans have returned to calling for Greg Gard's job, and there's a real chance he would have been in jeopardy of a move being made had the Badgers missed the tournament.

However, those worries can be officially put out because the Badgers will make the tournament after smashing Rutgers 78-66 to improve to 19-11.

Thursday night looked like the Badgers team fans got used to seeing prior to February. It was explosive, the defense actually showed up, shots were falling and it was a ton of fun to watch.

Most importantly, Greg Gard bought himself some breathing room when it comes to his job status.

Wisconsin hammers Rutgers to lock up NCAA Tournament bid. (Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports)

While fans have had plenty of brutal reactions to the team's collapse, things were much milder after the game last night.

 The question now is whether or not what fans saw Thursday night was a fluke and the team is actually average at best, or is Wisconsin getting back to the old ways that helped shoot the program up to sixth in the nation at the start of last month.

I don't know, but I'll tell you this much, fans are still not pleased with Gard. Yes, Wisconsin's tournament fate might be sealed, but what will happen if the Badgers get bounced right at the start of the tournament?

The answer is that fans will openly revolt. Gard really needs to have a "Sweet 16 or bust" mindset because that's what fans are demanding - myself included.

If you want to coach at a premier university, then you better perform at a level that justifies keeping you around.

Wisconsin will make the NCAA Tournament after beating Rutgers. (Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports)

Have a thought about the state of Wisconsin basketball? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com, and I hope the team manages to make a run!