MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (5-3, 0-0 B1G) opens up conference play against No. 4/3 Iowa (9-1, 0-0 B1G) on Sunday, Dec. 10 inside the Kohl Center. The gmae tips-off at 1:30 p.m., airing on Big Ten Network with a radio broadcast on 1070 WTSO-AM.
Here are five things to know before the Badgers matchup against the Hawkeyes.
1. SERAH'S TAKEOVER: In last Sunday's game against Butler, Serah Williams was an unstoppable force for the Badgers. Williams finished with 24 points (10-18 FG, 1-3 3FG, 3-3 FT) and 14 rebounds, notching her fourth-career double-double. Additionally, the sophomore tied her career-high of five blocks, the second time this season she's reached that mark. The five blocks brings her to 25 on the season, which leads the Big Ten. In her 39 career-games as a Badger, Williams has led the team in blocks in 32 contests.
2. FRESHMAN FORCE: D'Yanis has been an exciting addition to the Badger squad this season, and is making a name for herself as just a freshman. Ever since earning a spot in the starting lineup of Wisconsin's first game against Milwaukee on Nov. 7, Jimenez has found ways to make an impact in all facets of the game. The first-year guard is second on the team in three-point shooting percentage at 53.8%, and third in total assists with 20. Jimenez just recently collected a career-high eight rebounds against Butler, which was second on the team, behind Williams' 14.
3. SOLD OUT CROWD: The matchup between the Badgers and Hawkeyes is expected to be a record-breaking attendance night in the Kohl Center, with 14,000 tickets sold. The game is set be one of the most highly-attended Wisconsin women's basketball games in the last 25 years. Last season's matchup on Dec. 4 drew 4,022 fans, and the extra 10,000 fans this Sunday should create an electric atmosphere inside the Kohl Center. The last time Wisconsin had a sell out crowd was Jan. 20, 2002 against Minnesota.
4. B1G SEASON AHEAD: Iowa kicks off the Big Ten season for the Badgers, and is the first of 18 regular-season conference games that they will play. Looking ahead at UW's first five conference games, after Iowa, the team plays Purdue on the road on Dec. 30, followed by Nebraska at home on Jan. 4, Illinois on the road on Jan. 7, Northwestern at home on Jan. 10, and Michigan away on Jan. 13.
5. SCOUTING THE HAWKEYES: For the second-consecutive season, Wisconsin will open up Big Ten play by hosting the Iowa Hawkeyes. Voted No. 1 in the Big Ten Preseason Rankings, the Iowa Hawkeyes are 9-1 to begin the season, with their sole loss coming against K-State, who the Badgers faced Nov. 19. Iowa is led by one of the best collegiate women's basketball players in the nation, Caitlin Clark. Iowa's all-time leading scorer is averaging an NCAA best 29.6 points per game to go along with 6.7 rebounds per contest. The 2022-23 national championship runner-ups are tenth in the nation in average points per game with 88.8, and are No. 4 in the AP Poll.
