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Breaking down Wisconsin men’s basketball's Big Ten schedule
Intro
The reigning Big Ten regular-season champions will play each other twice this season with the first of two games at Illinois. The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team will host the Fighting Illini three weeks later.
The Badgers open their Big Ten schedule Dec. 6 against Maryland.
Dec. 6 vs. Maryland
2021-22 season: Maryland had a fairly lackluster season finishing 11th in the conference with a 7-13 record, 15-17 overall. The Terrapins ended their season with a loss in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Heading into 2022-23: Kevin Willard is in his first season as coach coming from a 12-year stint at Seton Hall. He brought in three transfers — Jahmir Young, Patrick Emilien, Jahari Long — and two freshmen — Noah Batchelor and Caelum Swanton-Rodger. They join returners Hakim Hart, Julian Reese and Donta Scott.
Dec. 11 at Iowa
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa
2021-22 season: The Hawkeyes finished tied for fourth in the conference with a 12-8 record, 26-10 overall. Iowa defeated Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament championship to earn the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Iowa’s season ended early when it got knocked out by 12th-seeded Richmond in the first round.
Jan. 3 vs. Minnesota
2021-22 season: Minnesota’s season ended when it lost to Penn State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Gophers finished 4-16 in conference play and 13-17 overall for last place.
Heading into 2022-23: This is the second season under coach Ben Johnson. The Gophers return six letter winners, including starter and leading scorer Jamison Battle. They also added eight newcomers to the roster, headlined by North Carolina transfer Dawson Garcia.
Jan. 7 at Illinois
Where: State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois
2021-22 season: The Fighting Illini defeated Iowa in a nail-biter to earn a share of the Big Ten regular season championship. They earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, but were knocked out by Indiana in the quarterfinals. Illinois earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. It lost to Houston in the second round.
Jan. 10 vs. Michigan State
2021-22 season: Michigan State earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after finishing with an 11-9 conference record, 23-13 overall. The Spartans lost in the second round to Duke.
The series: The Spartans were one of five Big Ten teams to defeat UW last season, and the only to do it twice. Michigan State handed the Badgers a loss both at the Kohl Center and during the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans hold an 85-67 all time series lead over the Badgers.
Jan. 14 at Indiana
Where: Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana
2021-22 season: The Hoosiers finished ninth in the Big Ten with a 9-11 conference record and 21-14 overall. Indiana defeated Michigan and then upset top-seeded Illinois to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. It earned a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but its season ended in the second round when the Hoosiers lost to Saint Mary’s.
Jan. 17 vs. Penn State
2021-22 season: The Nittany Lions finished 14th in the Big Ten going 7-13 in conference play and 14-17 overall. Coach Micah Shrewsberry led Penn State to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in his first season at the helm.
Heading into the 2021-22 season: The Nittany Lions have an incoming freshman class that is the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history. They also added a trio of graduate transfers in addition to returning the top two scorers in Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy.
Jan. 21 at Northwestern
Where: Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois
2021-22 season: The Wildcats finished the season 15-16, 7-13 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for 10th place. Northwestern defeated Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, but lost to Iowa in the second.
Jan. 25 at Maryland
Where: Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland
The series: Wisconsin and Maryland have only played 19 times. The Badgers hold a 12-7 edge after winning the lone matchup in Maryland last season.
Jan. 28 vs. Illinois
The series: Illinois defeated UW 80-67 in the pair’s lone matchup last season. The two teams have played each other over 200 times with the The Fighting Illini holding a 114-90 lead.
ABOVE: Illinois guard Adam Miller defends Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis in the second half of the Badgers' 74-69 loss on Feb. 27, 2021.
Feb. 2 at Ohio State
Where: The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio
2021-22 season: Ohio State finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a 12-8 conference record, 20-12 overall. The Buckeyes got bounced in the second round of the Big Ten tournament but still secured an NCAA Tournament bid. They defeated Loyola Chicago to advance to the second round but lost to Villanova in the second.
Feb. 5 vs. Northwestern
The series: The Badgers won the lone matchup with Northwestern last season. UW has an 122-65 all-time series edge over the Wildcats.
ABOVE: Northwestern guard Boo Buie, left, drives to the basket past Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore on Jan. 18.
Feb. 8 at Penn State
Where: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania
The series: Penn State kept it interesting in its only matchup with UW, losing by just two points. The Badgers have the overall lead making the all time-series record 42-11.
Feb. 11 at Nebraska
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
2021-22 season: The Cornhuskers finished the season 10-22, 4-16 in Big Ten play to tie for last place. They lost to Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Feb. 14 vs. Michigan
2021-22 season: Michigan fell short of its Big Ten expectations finishing eighth overall after being picked to finish first in the preseason. The Wolverines were one of two Big Ten teams to make it to the Sweet 16, but lost to Villanova to end the season.
Heading into 2022-23: The Wolverines lost last season’s freshmen duo of Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate to the NBA. They do return leading scorer Hunter Dickinson, who averaged 18.6 points per game last season. He is the only returning starter for Michigan.
Feb. 18 vs. Rutgers
2021-22 season: Rutgers earned its second consecutive at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Scarlet Knights earned a four seed in the Big Ten Tournament and lost to eventual winner, Iowa, in the quarterfinals. Their season ended with a First Four loss to Notre Dame in double overtime.
The series: Rutgers and UW split a pair of games last season, but the Badgers were the only ranked Big Ten team to defeat the Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena last season. The Badgers’ 66-61 win increased them to a 10-4 all-time series lead.
Feb. 22 vs. Iowa
The series: UW won the lone matchup between the Badgers and Hawkeyes last season, giving the Badgers a 86-85 edge in their history against each other.
ABOVE: Wisconsin's Chucky Hepburn (23) drives against Iowa's Tony Perkins (11) on Jan. 6.
Feb. 26 at Michigan
Where: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan
The series: The Badgers defeated Michigan 77-63 last season, highlighted by the kerfuffle between Michigan coach Juwan Howard and UW assistant Joe Krabbenhoft. The Wolverines have the overall 94-77 edge in the all-time matchup.
March 2 vs. Purdue
2021-22 season: The Boilermakers fell short of preseason expectations and finished third in the Big Ten with a 14-6 record. Purdue lost to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament championship, but was one of two Big Ten teams to make it to the Sweet 16.
Series: The Badgers upset Purdue at Mackey Arena and then defeated them again at the Kohl Center, courtesy of Chucky Hepburn’s last second banked 3-point shot. The Boilermakers still hold the series lead at 111-74.
March 5 vs. Minnesota
Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis
The series: UW swept Minnesota last season to gain a narrow 105-104 edge in the all-time series.
