The long-time assistant took over the program after Bo Ryan stepped down following the 2014–15 season and has been a steady hand ever since.
Since taking over, Gard has compiled a 212-117 overall record, including a 117-77 mark in Big Ten play. The Badgers have made the NCAA Tournament in seven of those seasons, and it would have been eight if not for the canceled 2019–20 tournament.
Wisconsin is coming off a strong 27-10 campaign and a trip to the Round of 32 last season. Expectations are high once again in Madison as the Badgers gear up for another deep postseason run. Here’s a look at their non-conference schedule before Big Ten play begins.
Monday, November 3 vs. Campbell
The Badgers open the 2025–26 season at the Kohl Center with a home matchup against Campbell. It’s the first of four games Wisconsin should comfortably handle to start the year. The energy will be high on opening night, as a packed house of red-clad fans welcomes the return of Badger basketball.
Friday, November 7 vs. Northern Illinois
The first of back-to-back games against MAC opponents brings Northern Illinois to Madison. The Huskies won’t have far to travel, but the Badgers’ size, speed, and depth should prove to be too much in this early-season contest.
Tuesday, November 11 vs. Ball State
Wisconsin’s second MAC matchup comes just four days later, as Ball State visits the Kohl Center for a Tuesday night showdown. This marks another tune-up opportunity for Gard’s squad before the schedule stiffens later in November.
Monday, November 17 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
The Cougars from SIU-Edwardsville make the trip north for a rare meeting with the Badgers. While it’s a great exposure opportunity for the visiting program, Wisconsin should control this one from start to finish on their home floor.
Friday, November 21 vs. BYU (Salt Lake City)
Wisconsin leaves home for the first time to take on BYU in Salt Lake City as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series. This will be one of the Badgers’ toughest early-season challenges. BYU ended Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament run last year with a thrilling 91-89 win, so expect some added motivation for the Badgers to return the favor.
Thursday, November 27 vs. Providence (San Diego)
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Wisconsin heads to San Diego for the Rady Children’s Invitational at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Badgers will face Providence in their first matchup of the event. It’s a rare meeting, just the third all-time, and Wisconsin will look to notch its first-ever win over the Friars.
Friday, November 28 vs. TCU or Florida (San Diego)
A day after Thanksgiving, Wisconsin will meet either TCU or Florida to close out the San Diego trip. A matchup with the defending national champion Florida Gators would be a marquee early-season test and a valuable measuring stick for the Badgers before December arrives.
Saturday, December 6 vs. Marquette
The in-state rivalry with Marquette renews in Madison as the Badgers host the Golden Eagles. Wisconsin will seek revenge after an 88-74 defeat in last year’s matchup. The Badgers hold a narrow 9-7 advantage in the last 16 meetings between the two programs.
Friday, December 19 vs. Villanova (Milwaukee)
The challenges continue as Wisconsin faces Villanova at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. This neutral-site matchup marks the Badgers’ third Big East opponent in 22 days. The last time these two teams met was in 2017, when Wisconsin pulled off a three-point victory in the NCAA Tournament.
Monday, December 22 vs. Central Michigan
The Badgers return home to face yet another MAC opponent as Central Michigan visits Madison. It’s the third and final MAC matchup on Wisconsin’s non-conference slate, and another winnable game before Big Ten play looms.
Tuesday, December 30 vs. Milwaukee
Wisconsin closes out the 2025 calendar year at home against Milwaukee. The Badgers last faced their in-state counterparts in 2019, earning a win to improve to 9-1 all-time in the series. Expect a similar result as the Badgers aim to enter the new year on a high note.
Gard’s Badgers will be ready
Greg Gard’s Wisconsin Badgers have put together a balanced non-conference schedule that mixes confidence-building home games with a few high-profile tests. Matchups against BYU, Providence, Marquette, and Villanova will provide valuable experience before the Big Ten grind begins in January. If the Badgers can stay healthy and find early chemistry, they should once again be positioned as one of the conference’s top contenders.