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Wisconsin basketball is only a few short months away. After missing the tournament last season, the Badgers look to rebound and return as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. They return seven of their eight rotation players from a year and added sharp shooting St John’s transfer AJ Storr. The Big Ten portion of the schedule is always difficult as can be some of the non-conference games. Not all non-conference opponents have been released yet, but here is an early look at the non-conference opponents we do know.
Wisconsin will host the Tennessee Volunteers on Friday November 10. That will be a the Kohl Center. Tennessee is looked at as likely a top 20 team in the country and return some key pieces from last season. Their season ended in the Sweet 16 last year to FAU who eventually made it to the Final Four. That should be a great crowd in Madison on a Friday night.
Wisconsin travels to Providence on November 14 as a part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. This takes place between teams in the Big Ten and the Big East. Providence also fell in the first round of the tournament last season to Kentucky.
On November 20 and 22, Wisconsin will take part in the Fort Meyers Tip Off. The other three teams will be SMU, West Virginia, and Virginia. SMU struggled last season winning only 10 games. West Virginia and Virginia both fell in the first round of the tournament to Maryland and Furman respectively.
It might be breaking news, but Wisconsin and Marquette do not like each other. I love the fire and passion this in-state rivalry has had over the last handful of years. After a thrilling overtime win in Milwaukee last season, the rivalry switches over to the Kohl Center. It’s easily one of the biggest games on both teams schedules. This will take place on December 2.
On Saturday December 9, Wisconsin will travel to Tucson to take on the Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats are always a top 10 team consistently. With the addition of North Carolina transfer Caleb Love, Arizona should be looked at as one of the title contenders in the country. They should also have some more motivation as they fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a two seed to Princeton.
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