Wisconsin vs. Marquette: 2019-20 key storylines for I-94 rivalry

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 08: D'Mitrik Trice #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers handles the ball while being guarded by Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on December 08, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Kobe King #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball against Paul White #13 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

1. Distance

Before I dive into how close these two schools are, I think the schedule makers got this game spot on. What Wisconsinites love more than watching two of its biggest basketball programs go head-to-head is Green Bay Packer football. The Packers are on a bye this week so what is more fitting than having Wisconsin vs. Marquette at Noon local time on a Sunday to fill the space.

The space between the Kohl Center in Madison to the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee is 78 miles. That’s roughly one hour and 15 minutes when traffic is ideal. If you’re from Madison and the game is at Marquette you find I-94 east and go for 69 miles, fight traffic around the Fiserv and you’re there. If the game is in Madison like it is for Sunday afternoon and you’re coming from Milwaukee, you find I-94 west, go for 69 miles, circle around Lake Monona and you’re there.

What’s nice about the state of Wisconsin is that really no matter where you live, it’s not a bad drive to either venue. And chances are, you have been to one if not both of the arenas for some sort of sporting event or concert. The Fiserv Forum opened last year after the Bradley Center was the home of Marquette for years. You’re in luck if you haven’t been to the Fiserv yet, but have been to the Bradley Center. The Fiserv is literally right across the street from where the Bradley Center once stood.

Usually, I would highlight who each team has from the state of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Marquette lost basically everyone that is from the state. The only guy the Golden Eagles have now is Michael Kennedy. He’s a freshman from Mequon who has only played one minute this season.

Wisconsin has the usual laundry list of home-grown talent. Senior Brevin Pritzl is one of the first guys off the bench and he’s from De Pere. Kobe King starts now when healthy and he’s from La Crosse. There’s Trevor Anderson from Stevens Point and he’s a rotation guy when healthy. Samad Oawi has played two minutes and is from Racine and the big man Owen Hamilton hasn’t seen time yet, but he hails from Prescott.

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