Wisconsin Badgers
Bradley
November 02, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Badgers welcome Bradley, Oakland, Grambling State and Delaware to the Kohl Center
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's basketball team opens its 2026-27 regular season with four consecutive home contests, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 3, against Bradley. The Badgers will then welcome Oakland on Thursday, Nov. 5, Grambling State on Sunday, Nov. 8 and Delaware on Nov. 11.
Wisconsin tips off against Bradley, Oakland and Delaware at 6:30 p.m., while Sunday's matchup against Grambling State is set for 2 p.m.
Here are five things to know:
1. BACK FOR MORE: Wisconsin enters its second season under head coach Robin Pingeton following a 2025-26 campaign that saw the Badgers finish 16-18, their highest win total since 2010-11. Wisconsin earned ranked victories over Michigan State and Nebraska before advancing to the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) semifinals. The Badgers look to build on last season's progress as they begin a new campaign in front of their home crowd.
2. A STRONG START: Wisconsin enters the regular season following a 101-69 exhibition victory over UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 28. The Badgers shot 57.6% (34-for-59) from the field and 40.0% (10-for-25) from beyond the arc. Freshman Adaline Sheplee led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor and 2-for-2 from 3-point range. Wisconsin's three freshmen, Sheplee, Alicia Courthiau and Leah Nordin, combined for 41 points. A total of six Badgers finished in double figures including 17 points (5-7 3FGs) from newcomer Teagan Mallegni.
3. VETERAN PRESENCE: Wisconsin returns an experienced trio in Kyrah Daniels, Shay Bollin and Laci Steele. Daniels started all 34 games last season, averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest while connecting on 68 3-pointers. Steele appeared in all 34 games, making 23 starts and averaging 6.0 points and 3.4 rebounds. Bollin also appeared in all 34 contests, adding 3.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while recording 50 assists. The trio will look to provide leadership and experience as Wisconsin begins its second season under head coach Robin Pingeton.
4. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: Wisconsin opens its regular season with three nonconference matchups against Bradley, Oakland and Grambling State.
· Bradley (Nov. 3): The Braves enter the 2026-27 season following a 20-13 campaign, including a 13-7 record in Missouri Valley Conference play. Bradley finished tied for third in the conference and earned a WNIT appearance, falling to George Washington, 63-60, in the opening round. The Braves welcome first-year head coach Chaia Meier and return guard Mya Wardle, who averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 assists per game last season.
Tuesday's game will mark the sixth all-time meeting between Wisconsin and Bradley, in a series that dates back to 1982. The Badgers hold a 4-1 record against the Braves, winning the most recent meeting, 103-49, on Nov. 16, 2022. UW's 103 points matched the 8th-highest single-game scoring output in team history.
· Oakland (Nov. 5): The Golden Grizzlies finished the 2025-26 season with a 10-21 overall record and a 7-13 mark in Horizon League play. Oakland returns sophomore Makenzie Luehring, the preseason Horizon League Player of the Year, who averaged 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman. Wisconsin defeated Oakland 79-68 last season at the Kohl Center in the only meeting in series history.
· Grambling State (Nov. 8): The Tigers enter the new season following a 13-19 campaign, including a 10-8 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. Grambling State averaged 63.5 points per game last season and returns under fourth-year head coach Courtney Simmons. The Tigers feature a significantly revamped roster. Sunday will mark the first meeting in series history.
· Delaware (Nov. 11): The Blue Hens enter the 2026-27 season following a 13-19 campaign, including a 6-12 record in their inaugural season in Conference USA. Delaware finished tied for eighth in the conference standings, averaging 63.1 points and 35.8 rebounds per game. Center Ande'a Cherisier led the Blue Hens with 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest, while guard Laylay Fantroy added 10.2 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game
5. UP NEXT: Following its four-game homestand, Wisconsin hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Green Bay on Saturday, Nov. 14, before returning to Madison to host in-state rival Marquette on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
