MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (14-16, 6-12 Big Ten) hosts Illinois State (22-11,13-7 MVC) in the Super 16 round of the 2024 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday. Opening tip at the Kohl Center is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and the game will be streamed live on B1G+ or can be heard on 1070 WTSO-AM.
 

Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Redbirds:

1. HISTORY IN THE WNIT: Wisconsin is making its first appearance in the WNIT since the 2010-11 season. UW opened this year's tournament with a 67-62 win over Southern Indiana on Sunday. Back in 2011, UW advanced to the second round of the WNIT before falling to, coincidentally, Illinois State, in a 62-59 loss. Wisconsin has found past success in the WNIT, advancing to the championship game three times and even winning the championship in 2000. In the 2000 WNIT championship game, the Badgers downed the Florida Gators, 75-74, inside the Kohl Center on Mar. 29, 2000.

2. LAST TIME OUT: This past Sunday, Wisconsin traveled to Evansville, Indiana, for a WNIT second round game against Southern Indiana. UW went on a 25-7 run and erased a 19-point deficit to win in come-from-behind fasion, 67-62. It was the fourth-largest comeback in program history. Serah Williams recorded her 17th straight double-double, claiming 24 points and 11 boards. It was a career day for Williams, who also had a career high seven blocks. Ronnie Porter dropped 19 points. The Badgers scored 26 fastbreak points compared to Southern Indiana's 0, while UW also outscored the Screaming Eagles in the paint, 28-18.
 

3. HISTORY WITH ILLINOIS STATE: Thursday's game marks the 20th all-time meeting between Wisconsin and Illinois State. The most recent meeting came in 2022. ISU leads the all-time series, 11-8, but the series is all tied up at four games apiece at the Kohl Center.

4. SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS: With a 22-11 record this season, Illinois State earned an at-large bid to the WNIT. At the helm of the program is Kristen Gillespie, who has been with ISU since 2017 and holds a 132-81 (.620) record. The Redbirds average 74.7 points per game, led by DeAnna Wilson (14.8 ppg). Defensively, Illinois State is holding its opponents to 39.9 percent shooting from the floor, while snatching an average of 7.0 steals per game.

5. LOOKING AHEAD: If Wisconsin earns a win and advanecs past Illinois State, the team will move onto the Great 8 round that takes place between Saturday, March 30, and Monday, April 1. The Badgers will face either Purdue Fort Wayne or Saint Louis. Wisconsin is looking for its fifth-ever appearance in the quarterfinal round of the WNIT in seven all-time appearances.