MADISON, Wis – The Wisconsin women's basketball team (2-2, 0-1 B1G) is back in action at the Kohl Center this Sunday at 2 p.m. as it welcomes the Valparaiso Crusaders (4-2, 0-0 MVC) for its third non-conference matchup of the season.

Here are five quick things you should know before tuning in.
 
1. DOUBLE-DIGIT BADGERS: All five of Wisconsin's regular starters posted double digit scoring games in at least one of Wisconsin's two contests last week. The Badgers evened their record at 2-2 last week with a loss and a win. Wisconsin fell to Rutgers, 70-65, on Dec. 11 before rebounding with an 80-60 win over North Dakota on Dec. 13. Sophomore Sydney Hilliard has led the Badgers in scoring all four games this season, averaging a team-best 22.5 points per game, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten. The Monroe native put up 22 points against Rutgers and 18 against North Dakota. Junior Imani Lewis has two double-doubles this season, upping her career total to 20, which ranks eighth at the UW. The 6-foot-1 forward needs just one more double-double to move into a tie for seventh, currently held by Linda Gough (1977-81) with 21. Lewis added 12 and 10 points versus Rutgers last week. The other three regular starters for Wisconsin consist of Julie Pospisilova, who scored 12 points against North Dakota; Sara Stapleton, who put up a career-high 16 points on the Fighting Hawks; and Estella Moschkau, who had a career-high 13 points against Rutgers.
 
2. DEPENDABLE DEPTH: Wisconsin has seen an increased output from its bench over the last couple of games. The Badger bench contributed 11 points against Rutgers and 22 points over North Dakota. The bench trio of Tara Stauffacher, Kate Thompson and Alex Luehring have continued to produce for Jonathan Tsipis' Badgers in more ways than points. UW had a season-high 11 blocks vs. UND, which ties for ninth on the UW single-game record list. The mark moved the Badgers into a Big Ten-leading 6.0 blocks per game. Freshman Thompson had a career-best three blocks against the Fighting Hawks to tie for seventh in the Big Ten with 1.5 blocks per game. Sophomore Stauffacher had a career game against North Dakota with nine points, shooting 3-for-5 from 3-point range and pulling down six boards. Finally, junior Luehring continues to play the sixth man role for Wisconsin, serving as a double-threat on the inside and in her shooting capabilities. Luehring added eight points with two 3-pointers against North Dakota.
 
3. OUTSIDE THREATS: Wisconsin shot .441 (30-68) from the field vs. North Dakota, including a season-best .421 (8-19) from 3-point range. After shooting just .363 (29-80) in its first game, UW is shooting .443 (82-185) over the last three contests. This increased shooting percentage is also contributed to the outside threats the Badgers are continually developing. Wisconsin netted 12 threes from last week, four on the Scarlet Knights and eight over the Fighting Hawks. Graduate Transfer Estella Moschkau dropped three of the four against Rutgers, finding her stroke and sparking some other Badgers to follow. Against North Dakota, four Badgers connected from deep including starting guards Hilliard adding one and Pospisilova contributing two.
 
4. SCOUTING VALPARAISO: UW leads the all-time series with Valparaiso 1-0 with the only meeting coming on Dec. 13, 1988. The Badgers won 79-52 in the UW Field House. The 4-2 Crusaders enter the Kohl Center looking to beat their third Big Ten team of the season, defeating Illinois and Purdue earlier this season. Leading Valparaiso is junior guard Carie Weinman, averaging 16.2 points and shooting .452 from 3-point range. The Crusaders' main distributor is junior guard Shay Frederick, averaging about five assists per game while adding 8.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. This experienced Valparaiso lineup also boasts senior guard/forward Grace White, who averages 15.4 points per game while leading the team with 62. rebounds per game. Comparing the Crusaders to Wisconsin, rebounding and dominating the board is something the Badgers will have the advantage of and look to exploit come Sunday. UW has a 46.8 - 33.2 advanage in rebounds heading into the game. Wisconsin will also look to draw fouls as the Badgers hold a much high free throw shooting percentage (.722 - .670) than Valparaiso.
 
5. HOW TO WATCH: Fans can follow the game by tuning into Big Ten Network+ or via radio at U-100.9 FM. Find live stats and updates by following @BadgerWBB on any social media platform as well.