MADISON, Wis. –  The Wisconsin women's basketball team opens its regular season on Thursday with a game against Winthrop. Tip time is 7 p.m. from the Kohl Center. The two teams will be meeting for the first time in program history. UW looks to build on their exhibition win over UW-Oshkosh on Sunday that saw 10 Badgers play 10-or-more minutes in the game.

1. BADGERS OPEN SEASON: Wisconsin is 28-16 all-time in season openers, including a 15-4 mark at home. The Badgers are 1-1 under third-year head coach Jonathan Tsipis, including an 80-66 win over Charlotte at home in 2-17.
2. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers won their exhibition against UW-Oshkosh, 79-51, on Sunday. The Badgers' shot 48.3 percent (29-60) from the field, including 46.7 percent (7-15) from 3-point range, while the Titans hit just 29 percent (18-62) from the field. Two Badgers would have tied career highs. Senior Marsha Howard tied a career best with four steals while sophomore Niya Beverley, went 1-for-1 from 3-point range, tying her career high for triples made and percentage.
3. FAB FOUR: Four Badgers scored in double figures in exhibition game against UW-Oshkosh that helped Wisconsin top the Titans — redshirt senior Kelly Karlis, redshirt sophomore Alex Luehring, and junior Courtney Fredrickson each put up 11 points while senior Marsha Howard led all players with 16 points.
4. NEW JERSEYS: Five Wisconsin players saw their first action in the Cardinal and White. While Karlis and Luehring put up double-digit points, redshirt sophomore Grace Mueller scored six points, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from the field. True freshmen Imani Lewis and Diamond Bragg saw playing time, scoring eight and three points, respectively. Lewis also had six rebounds.
5. SCOUTING THE EAGLES: Last season, Winthrop finished 3-27 overall record with a 2-16 Big South Conference record. The Eagles return two of their top players, senior Courtney Hagaman (9.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and sophomore Anika Riley (8.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg). The Eagles are led by head coach Lynette Woodward, US Olympic gold medalist for women's basketball, who begins her second season with the Eagles.

Thursday Promotion

Team Poster Giveaway – Fans will receive the official 2018-19 schedule poster, while supplies last, courtesy of UW Health.