The Wisconsin Badgers (8-2, 0-1 Big Ten) saw their red-hot momentum come to a screeching halt last week.

The team entered at 8-0 and ranked No. 11 in the nation. It then dropped two critical games -- 67-64 at home vs. Michigan and 88-74 on the road at No. 5 Marquette.

Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Dec. 9): Wisconsin slides, Michigan surges

The two losses dampen the team's sky-high expectations. They begin to expose possible weaknesses, including inconsistent defense and struggles in the interior.

Notably, the two results also dropped the team in both KenPom and BPI. The Badgers are down to No. 37 in KenPom (No. 19 offense, No. 88 defense) and No. 36 in BPI. Those slots are good for No. 10 and No. 9 in the Big Ten, respectively.

Greg Gard's team now faces a critical upcoming week with games at No. 19 Illinois and against Butler (neutral site). Those two contests can do one of two things -- either wins will reverse the team's course and reestablish it as one of the Big Ten's best, or losses will continue the slide from the top of the rankings.

That Illinois game is set for Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. CT available exclusively on Peacock.