After a record-setting 2006-07 season, the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team sustained its level of success in 2007-08.

After establishing a school-record number of victories (30), earning the first No. 1 ranking in school history and the highest NCAA tournament seed (No. 2) in program history a year ago, the Badgers did even better in many regards this season.

When sixth-ranked UW's season came to a close Friday night with a loss to Davidson in a NCAA tournament Midwest Regional semifinal, it marked the end of a successful campaign that included a new standard for victories in a season (31), an undisputed Big Season Conference regular-season championship (the program's first since 2003) and a Big Ten tournament title (the Badgers ' first since 2004).

"We actually got some hardware," senior center Greg Stiemsma said. "I think that's one of the biggest things. We got a couple more trophies that we hadn't had for a couple of years. We've been close in years past, but this year, we finally got things done. We finished it."

Stiemsma and fellow seniors Brian Butch, Michael Flowers and Tanner Bronson also finished out their UW careers as the winningest four-year class in school history (105 victories).

The 6-foot-11 Butch led the Badgers in scoring and rebounding en route to being named first-team All-Big Ten by both league coaches and media. The 6-foot-2 Flowers earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the league's media and third-team All-Big Ten recognition from league coaches, in addition to being named to the league's all-defensive team for the second straight season. The 6-foot-11 Stiemsma played the best basketball of his career as a senior, and Bronson soaked up every experience during a five-year stint with the program that included one year as a manager.

"It's tough to see the seniors go out the way they did," sophomore guard Jason Bohannon said after the Davidson game. "They brought a lot to this program, they took this program to another level. ... We're really going to miss them."

Now, the Badgers' focus turns to the future.

UW will return three starters next season -- point guard Trevon Hughes (junior), swingman Joe Krabbenhoft (senior) and forward Marcus Landry (senior). Bohannon, who was named the Big Ten's sixth man of the year, figures to join Hughes as a starter in UW's backcourt in his junior season.

That group represents an experienced nucleus, one that figures to be supplemented by 6-6 swingman Tim Jarmusz and 6-10 forward Jon Leuer, both of whom saw some minutes as freshmen this season.

Vying to fill the void up front left by the departures of Butch and Stiemsma will be 6-8 Keaton Nankivil (sophomore), 6-7 Kevin Gullikson (senior) and 6-11 redshirt freshman J.P. Gavinski (redshirt sophomore).

Forward Morris Cain (senior) and guard Brett Valentyn (redshirt sophomore) are expected to return as walk-ons, and the Badgers have four incoming recruits -- centers Ian Markolf and Jared Berggren, and guards Robert Wilson and Jordan Taylor.

"We 're still trying to get better," Bohannon said. "All the guys that are coming back, we're starting (Saturday). That's Day 1 getting ready for next season."