MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin is headed back to the NCAA Tournament to cap a season that included a sluggish start to nonconference play and a midseason coaching change.

After falling to 9-9 at one point this season, the Badgers (20-12) rallied in Big Ten play and played well enough to earn a No. 7 seed in the East Region and Round of 64 game Friday night against 10th-seeded Pittsburgh.

Forward Nigel Hayes said he never had a doubt that Wisconsin would return to the NCAAs.

“Of course not, no. As I told you guys for the last couple of months, couple weeks, all season that I believed in the guys, and I knew that we would be a good team,” Hayes told reporters Sunday. “I told you guys there would be growing pains.”

The Badgers have steadied under coach Greg Gard, who took over on an interim basis from the retired Bo Ryan in December before getting the full-time job last week.

Wisconsin incorporated new faces this season.