Purdue vs. Wisconsin: Start time, TV coverage, how to watch online, odds

After an expectedly lackluster non-conference slate left the Wisconsin Badgers far from the top 25 rankings, they'll look to begin Big Ten player on a higher note Tuesday night against the Purdue Boilermakers at the Kohl Center.

Nigel Hayes leads Wisconsin nearly across the board, averaging 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Hayes' rebounding total trails only redshirt freshman Ethan Happ, who's enjoyed a promising start to his expected breakout season with 11.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and a team-high 1.3 blocks per game.

In total, the Badgers have four players averaging double-digits in scoring. Second to Hayes is Bronson Koenig, who's scoring 14.4 points per game while adding 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. After Koenig is Happ, and then comes Vitto Brown, who's averaging 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in his first season with significant playing time.

For Purdue, senior center A.J. Hammons is leading a stronger and older Boilermakers squad with 13.3 points per game, plus 8.2 rebounds. Freshman phenom Caleb Swanigan leads in rebounds with 9.2, and is third in scoring at 11.3 points. Sophomore center Isaac Haas is second in scoring at 12.2 points per game, and third with 5.4 rebounds. He, along with Hammons, presents Wisconsin with a challenging twin-towers frontcourt.

As B5Q's Phil Mitten writes in his breakdown of the game, there are few challenges that would be tougher for Wisconsin to begin Big Ten play with than Purdue.

In spite of the otherworldly second-half show put on by Wisconsin against Purdue in the Big Ten tournament semifinals, what I remember most about last year's Boilermakers is the rock fight they engaged the Badgers in back in early January. A physically imposing Purdue squad played the Badgers as tough as any team did, staying closer throughout the game than the 62-55 final score indicates.

Now older and stronger, No. 14 Purdue (12-1) has paid its dues and returns to Madison as one of the Big Ten favorites, along with Michigan State and Maryland. The Boilers added freshman phenom Caleb Swanigan to a front line that returns both twin towers. In addition, forwards Rapheal Davis and Vince Edwards have the capability to match Nigel Hayes defensively and make life difficult for the Badger offense. As if Wisconsin needed any more of a challenge right now.

Tuesday's tilt will be another opportunity for Wisconsin (8-5) to get the bench production its sorely needs. Particularly from the perimeter, where we still don't know whether the Greg Gard version of Jordan Hill was a fluke or not.

For more insight, check out B5Q's twin Q&As with SB Nation's Purdue site, Hammer and Rails.

Read below for the game's complete viewing information.

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Wisconsin Badgers | Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 6 p.m. CT | Kohl Center, Madison. Wis.

TV: Big Ten Network (Brian Anderson & Jon Crispin)

Live stream: BTN2Go (subscription required)

Mobile: BTN2Go mobile app for iOS and Android.

Radio: Badger Radio Network (Phil Dawson & Andy North)

Odds: Purdue -5

All-time series: Purdue leads, 104-70

All-time series in Madison: Wisconsin leads, 49-36

Last meeting: Wisconsin won 71-51 on March 4, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago during the Big Ten tournament.