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Wisconsin Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Badgers

By Lukas Harkins

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 01: D'Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 01: D'Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 26: Coach Gard of Wisconsin. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 26: Coach Gard of Wisconsin. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Schedule Breakdown

Head coach Greg Gard has put together a challenging non-conference schedule for his team. The Badgers will be facing off against multiple high-major opponents over the first two months of the year. As a result, it will quickly become evident how successful this team might be this year. Even though Happ will no longer be dominating the paint, Wisconsin will still be a rather experienced and poised team behind their backcourt leadership.

With at least four crucial games away from home in non-conference play, the Badgers will be able to prove themselves very early on. These opportunities could set the team up well for an NCAA Tournament bid or they could cause the team to quickly fall out of the running.

Here are some of Wisconsin’s top non-conference matchups:

  • Wisconsin vs. St. Mary’s in South Dakota (Nov. 5)
  • Marquette at Wisconsin (Nov. 17)
  • Legends Classic (Richmond, then Auburn/New Mexico) in Brooklyn (Nov. 25-26)
  • Wisconsin at NC State (Dec. 4)
  • Wisconsin at Tennessee (Dec. 28)

Playing in the Big Ten is a gauntlet. Year in and year out, the conference features some of the top teams in the entire nation and it is very difficult to put together a winning record. Looking ahead to this season, there are four Big Ten teams that look poised to be potentially ranked in the preseason top-25: Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Purdue. Most notably, the Spartans are widely projected to be the best team in the nation. It is no secret that there will be plenty of resume-building opportunities for Wisconsin in conference play.

Here is how Wisconsin’s conference schedule lays out:

  • Both H/A: Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan State, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Ohio State
  • Home Only: Northwestern, Maryland, Illinois
  • Away Only: Michigan, Iowa, Penn State
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