While much of the focus is on the football season soon to be in full swing, it doesn’t hurt to get a little excited and look forward to the next season of Wisconsin basketball. The 2018–19 squad will look to bounce back after the Badgers saw their 19-year NCAA tournament streak snapped last spring.
Wisconsin’s schedule was released Tuesday, and the Badgers will open the season on Nov. 2 with an exhibition vs. UW-Oshkosh before officially tipping off four days later against Coppin State University at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers will quickly up the quality of competition as they take to the road to battle Xavier on Nov. 13 as part of the Gavitt Games. The Musketeers defeated the Badgers in a thriller at the Kohl Center last season.
Shortly after, the Badgers will head back to paradise to play in the Battle 4 Atlantis, returning for the first time since their 2014 win against Georgetown in the tournament final. Following the Thanksgiving-week Bahamas trip, Wisconsin will return home for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge against NC State.
As for Big Ten play, Wisconsin will open on the road at Iowa on Nov. 30 before returning home on Dec. 3 to take on Rutgers to wrap up the early portion of Big Ten play. After the two early contests, Wisconsin will head up the interstate for a battle with rival Marquette.
The Badgers avoid a trip to East Lansing this season but will have to travel to Ann Arbor to take on presumed Big Ten favorite Michigan, who comes off a national title appearance.
Wisconsin will wrap up the regular season on March 10 at Ohio State before heading to the Big Ten Tournament beginning March 13 in Chicago.