MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (9-9, 2-6 B1G) plays its second home match of the week against Rutgers (6-15, 0-8 B1G) on Saturday, Jan. 27 inside the Kohl Center. Tip off is at 2 p.m., and the game can be streamed live on B1G+, or listened to on 1070 WTSO-AM.
Here are five things to know before the Badgers matchup against the Scarlet Knights.
1. WILLIAMS WRITES HISTORY: In Wisconsin's victory over Minnesota back on Jan. 23, Serah Williams logged yet another double-double, collecting 24 points and tying her career-high in rebounds at 15. While her double-digit stat lines have become somewhat of a norm, with Williams logging five consecutive double-doubles to bring her season total to eight, this style of play is anything but normal. The sophomore has now moved into fourth all-time in consecutive games with a double-double in program history, tied with DeLinda Hastie and Imani Lewis. Additionally, with one block against Minnesota, Williams surpassed Theresa Huff on the all-time blocks list, landing at number 10 all-time with a total of 107 blocks.
2. THREE-POINT MACHINE: Freshman Tessa Grady played a key role in helping the Badgers secure a victory over the Golden Gophers, and was a sniper from behind the three-point arc. Coming off the bench and helping to compensate for an injured D'Yanis Jimenez, Grady dropped in a game-high five three pointers for a total of 15 points. The Ohio native secured a career-high in three pointers made and tied her career-high in points.
3. SANIA'S SHUT-DOWN DEFENSE: Reading the box score from the Badgers' last game, Sania Copeland's four points may not initially register as a great night of basketball, but the stellar game she put together is simply not reflected accurately on paper. Copeland excelled on defense, maintaining the same energy and quickness for all 35 minutes she was on the court. The sophomore was often matched up against Minnesota's leading scorer, Mara Braun, who averaged 18.2 points per game heading into Tuesday's contest. Copeland held the 2022-23 Big Ten All-Freshman Team member to just nine points and 23.1% shooting, tying her fewest points scored in a game this season.
4. BORDER BATTLED: Tuesday's victory against Minnesota marks the third-straight time Wisconsin has emerged victorious in the Border Battle. Last season, the Badgers won, 81-77 on Jan. 8 inside the Kohl Center, followed by another win on Feb. 11, 76-70, inside The Barn. Wisconsin's most recent 59-56 thriller over Minnesota came just hours after the Wisconsin men's basketball team also defeated Minnesota, 61-59, showing off UW's clear dominance in the Border Battle.
5. SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 6-15 overall and last in the Big Ten Conference with an 0-8 record. Last season, Wisconsin and Rutgers split the series, 1-1, with each team getting a win on its home court. The Scarlet Knights are led by Kaylene Smikle, who averages 16.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The sophomore is accompanied in scoring by Destiny Adams, who isn't far behind with an average of 14.4 points a contest.
