Trying to be as objective as possible and not letting my hate for Bucky enter into it, I found this statement to be utterly ridiculous and that thought was enhanced by a quick scribbling of top programs in the nation:
Top 15, more or less
Duke
UNC
Kentucky
Kansas
UCLA
Syracuse
Michigan St.
Ohio St.
UConn
Texas
Florida
Arizona
Indiana
Georgetown
Villanova
Outside of Indiana (which has considerable capital built on years of success), all of these programs have either achieved multiple Final Fours or had talent that has gripped the nation (ex. Texas w/Durant, TJ Ford) in recent years. Wisconsin is nowhere near the Top 10 programs and I'd say they are in the scramble below the top 15, which I'd include with these teams:
Illinois
Maryland
Pitt
Purdue
Gonzaga
Xavier
Butler
As much as it pains me to say it, I'd say the program Wisconsin is most similar to is Pitt-very solid, consistent regular season success with few marquee players who just can't get over the hump in the NCAA tournament. At least with Pitt you get a team that often hovers in the top 5 of the polls in the regular season though.
Top 20 program, arguably, yes. If they advance to the Final Four this year? I still don't see them as a top 15 national program-they don't have the history, appeal, style, or headliners of the programs listed above them. And as for the info that Wisconsin is the top money maker in the Big 10 in college basketball that doesn't equate to elite basketball program; it reminds me of the Forbes' article a few years ago that made the claim Kevin McHale was the top GM in the NBA due to the strong finances (at the time) of the T-Wolves.