The University of Wisconsin football team is 2-1 entering the Big Ten opener at Ohio State. Badgers players saw improvements after beating New Mexico State.
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Has Engram drawn up his own plays or is this his reordering of the Cryst playbook?
— David Koller (@DavidBKoller) September 20, 2022
Would you still take the badgers to win the west (basically are we taking Minnesota for real?)
— Ryan Matson (@RyanMats23) September 20, 2022
So, we’ve seen that Mertz has seemingly improved in the passing game this year, albeit against far lesser competition. Will it be enough to keep OSU even remotely honest and to respect both phases of offense, or will it not matter?
— Eli (@ElijahJ1997) September 20, 2022
It is Sunday at 9am and Badger fans are drinking their coffee reading about how Paul Chryst and the team pulled off an upset win in Columbus the night before. What happened in the game to allow this?
— Brandon Zall (@BZall10) September 19, 2022
3 things that have to happen for a it to be a one score game heading to the 4th quarter
— Douglas Greenberg (@DougGreenB) September 20, 2022
You're the coach. How are we going to beat OSU?
— John Karcher (@JohnKarcher) September 20, 2022
Hard to criticize these recent defenses much, but it seems we see fewer dynamic blitzes with man coverage than we did certainly with Dave Aranda, but also Justin Wilcox and even early Jim Leonhard. Any data on this? I may simply be a mis-remembering fan.
— Matt Ellenbecker (@mattde5er) September 19, 2022
What, in your opinion, should be the Badgers starting O Line?
— Jake Gosdeck (@jigosdeck) September 19, 2022
Will Bostad make the O-line changes to Bortolini and Wedig that sparked us Saturday?
— Steve (@Steve39381985) September 20, 2022
Has Engram drawn up his own plays or is this his reordering of the Cryst playbook?
— David Koller (@DavidBKoller) September 20, 2022
I have a general belief that for Wisconsin to beat OSU every once in a while, we need to have our stars stick around the extra year & not go pro. So we have 4&5 yr guys Vs their 3&4 yr guys. I doubt that happens but what are your thoughts on my belief?
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) September 20, 2022
If Wisconsin was somehow able to defeat OSU at OSU at night this weekend (we can dream, right?) where would that rank on the all-time (or modern era) list of Badger football upsets?
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) September 19, 2022
Any chance that Braelon sees greener grass on the other side? Love PC, but Allen isn’t winning anything outside cod a B1G West Championship here.
— steveo (@badger8350) September 20, 2022
Can we manufacture at least 5 meaningful touches for Isaac on Saturday night? Is 5 enough? Love Chez, but should he be RB3?
— William (@realturntwill) September 20, 2022
Is the OL good enough to run against OSU for 200 plus yards?
— JMW123 (@jmw1235) September 20, 2022
Does John Torchio and the Badgers secondary have enough speed to stop the Buckeyes receivers?
— Michael Paduano (@greenwave70) September 20, 2022
What would you say are the odds for where Jim Leonhard will be next year: Defensive Coordinator at UW; Co-Head Coach at UW; Head Coach at another university; Defensive Coordinator in the NFL.
— Christopher Wollak (@wollakcj) September 20, 2022
Is this the most talented group of WRs that Wisconsin has ever had?
— tony hoffman (@badgerfanot) September 20, 2022
After only three games, which #Badgers (coaches, players) have the best chance of winning post-season awards?
— Badger Local (@BadgerLocal) September 20, 2022
Will we see Spencer Lytle getting any significant snaps soon?
— Bill_Woj (@Slough_Creek) September 20, 2022
Is Scott Frost Nebraska’s Don Morton?
— Joe Kuester (@JCKuest) September 21, 2022
Thoughts on the red jerseys with red pants? I thought it looked sharp, my Dad not so much lol
— Alec Hamilton (@alechamsports) September 20, 2022
Can we finally retire the intro song the streets have no name for Badger Football it is terrible
— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) September 19, 2022
Will the football team ever be ranked higher than the volleyball team?
— at (@peterochoa17) September 20, 2022
With the Badger women’s basketball team getting a couple decent wins at the end of last year, is it the beginning of something or is it just another mirage like we’ve all seen before? Follow up: How many years away from an NCAA tournament berth are they?
— Greg (@GGorres) September 20, 2022
If the NBA/NBAPA gets rid of the "one-and-done" rule, do you think that'll help, hurt, or make no difference on Wisconsin's basketball recruiting and/or ability to remain a top-tier college basketball program?
— Barret Van Sicklen (@BVanSlick) September 20, 2022
What will happen with men’s hockey this year? Should I bother buying any tickets?
— Bebs (@bebsolson) September 20, 2022
Seems like using two strong running backs (or more) and pounding is the Packer's answer. Did the Packers all of a sudden steal the Badger's offensive plan?
— JMW123 (@jmw1235) September 19, 2022
Evening Jim- does Aaron Rodgers still own the Bears?
— Sean Stephenson (@sgstephenson) September 19, 2022
How did Davante do today? Since it was a major talking point last week.
— Jerry Noel (@InspectorNoel) September 19, 2022
Do you think we will see some trick plays utilizing Watson and Doubs this season? Or is that not how LeFluer rolls?
— Chris Ehle (@CJ_Ehle) September 19, 2022
Should USA v England in the World Cup on November 25th take precedence over normal Thanksgiving family traditions?
— Ian G (@illinoisblue) September 19, 2022
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.Â
The Badgers open their Big Ten schedule Dec. 6 against Maryland.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Jan. 7 at Illinois
Where: State Farm Center in Champaign, IllinoisÂ
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.Â
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.Â
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, IndianaÂ
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.Â
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, IllinoisÂ
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.Â
Jan. 25 at Maryland
Where: Xfinity Center in College Park, MarylandÂ
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:Â 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, OhioÂ
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.Â
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:Â 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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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:Â 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.Â
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.
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
The B1G is now announcing conference football schedules 11 months in advance now and there is talk of abolishing divisions. How do you think the schedule will shake out with the addition of UCLA and USC?
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) September 19, 2022
Has Engram held back some sneaky plays specifically to break out against OSU?
— Jake Manser (@jake_manser) September 20, 2022
