Wisconsin basketball readies for their biggest matchup of the young season, hosting the 9th ranked Arizona Wildcats.
The Wisconsin Badgers had a strong start to the season, defeating Holy Cross, Montana State, and Appalachian State all by double digits. While Wisconsin has overcome some early adversity in each of their first three matchups, Arizona basketball has cruised to victory in their games over Canisius (93-64) and Old Dominion (102-44).
General Information
Teams: Wisconsin (3-0) and #9 Arizona (2-0)
Tip Time: 8 p.m. CST (9 p.m. EST)
Watch: Peacock
Listen: Badger Radio Network
What to know about Arizona
Arizona has had an easy start to the season. The Wildcats have outclassed their first two opponents in every aspect, but perhaps most notably on the boards. They have outrebounded their opponents by 49 over their first two games.
All eyes for the Wildcats have been directed toward Tobe Awaka, who has a career game with 18 points and 15 rebounds against Old Dominion. Caleb Love and Carter Bryant have been slowly heating up for the Wildcats this season, both suffered a slow start against Old Dominion but both would end the night with double-digit points. Arizona will be looking to capitalize on their big men for the victory, as they have been crucial in Arizona play this season.
Trey Townsend spent four years with Oakland University before transferring to Arizona. Townsend won the 2024 Lou Henson Award, recognizing the top player in mid-major college basketball. Townsend has had a slow start to the season, posting 11 points in two games.
Love is coming off an impressive senior campaign in which he averaged 18 points per game. Love has put up 27 points over his first two games, and has been impressive from long range, having gone 5-for-13 from three. Arizona has been able to rest most of their starting five over these first couple of games, as no one has played more than 22 minutes per game. That may change as Arizona comes to Madison.
The Wildcats look to grab their first away win of the season and keep it going as they will come back home to face Duke University on Nov. 22.
The latest on Wisconsin basketball
Wisconsin did their job the first week of the season, defeating three semi-competitive opponents. Head Coach Greg Gard has his offense focused on efficiency, as 160 out of their 166 points in the last two games have come in the paint, at the free throw line, or behind the arc.
Nolan Winter is coming into his own in his sophomore year. Winter has eight rebounds in each of his last two games, and is averaging 10.3 points per game.
After going 1-for-7 from three in Wisconsin’s opening game against Holy Cross, Max Klesmit has since shot 8-for-17 from behind the arc. Despite returning players dominating playing time on the court, it has been the transfer John Tonje who has led the team in scoring, averaging 17.7 points per game.
Arizona has more talent than Wisconsin, both outside and inside. However, Wisconsin has the pieces to pull off this upset. They just need their entire roster to be on their A game… and then maybe a little bit of luck.