Game Coverage
Dec. 22 | 6 p.m. | Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.
MADISON, Wis. — After a 6-1 non-conference slate, No. 9 Wisconsin now opens Big Ten play on Tuesday against Nebraska at the Kohl Center. The Badgers have won their last 8 Big Ten games and are looking for their longest conference win streak since the 2014-15 season. Tip is set for 6 p.m. (CT) on FS1.
Wisconsin has won each of its last two Big Ten openers, topping Indiana last season and winning at No. 14 Iowa in 2018-19.
THE STARTING FIVE
1) BIG TEN MEANS B1G MOVES: Wisconsin enters Big Ten play enjoying a pair of impressive streaks, winning their last 8 Big Ten games and 14 consecutive home games. Last season, Wisconsin won its final 8 conference games to finish the year with a share of the Big Ten title. UW's 19th B1G title, only Michigan State (7) has won more since 2000.
2) NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Wisconsin has won 85.9% (318-52) of its games at the Kohl Center all-time. That ranks as the 9th-best win percentage for any Division I team in its current home venue.
3) ON GARD: The 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year,
Greg Gard owns a career record of 107-58 (.648), boasting the 3rd-highest win percentage in Wisconsin history. With a conference record of 59-35, Gard's .628 conference win percentage ranks 6th among Big Ten coaches of the last 40 years, since 1980.
4) D-FENSE! D-FENSE! Wisconsin continues to stifle opponents on defense, leading the Big Ten allowing just 58.1 ppg this season and ranked 3rd in the Big Ten in blocks per game (5.6). UW ranks 3rd in the country in Ken Pomeroy's Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. In fact, Wisconsin is the only team in the nation ranked top 10 in the Ken Pomeroy Rankings for both offense and defense (#3 Def., #10 Off).
5) BADGERS DON'T BEAT THEMSELVES: Wisconsin leads the nation averaging only 8.1 turnovers per game. Dating back to last season, UW has committed 11 or fewer turnovers in 25 consecutive games.
