The Starting Five: McNeese State

Wisconsin

1-1, 0-0

McNeese State

1-2, 0-0

Game Coverage

November 13 | 6 p.m. | Kohl Center | Madison

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men's basketball team hosts a Wednesday night battle against McNeese State at 6 p.m. (CT) at the Kohl Center.

1) REUVERS ON THE RISE: Junior forward Nate Reuvers has started the season on fire, averaging 18 ppg, 10 rpg and 6.5 blocks per game. The Minnesota native earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors following his dominant outing against Eastern Illinois where the big man fell one block short of his first career triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks. Reuvers is now just one block away from becoming the 8th player in UW history to tally 100 career blocks.

2) LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin took care of business in its home-opener Friday, defeating Eastern Illinois 65-52 at the Kohl Center. Nate Reuvers continued his early-season dominance against the Panthers knocking down 14 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks, only one block away from his first career triple-double. Kobe King led the Badgers with a game-high 18 points, Aleem Ford tacked on 11, and Brevin Pritzl added 9 in the team's first win of the regular season in the Kohl Center.

Let's go on a winning streak

Top Plays from tonight's home-opening win over Eastern Illinois#OnWisconsin » #Badgers pic.twitter.com/1OMjWYYaJi
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) November 9, 2019

3) A NIGHT TO REMEMBER: Before Friday night's game, Wisconsin had a video tribute and a moment of silence for Assistant Coach Howard Moore and his family. The Moore family was involved in a fatal auto accident in May that claimed the lives of Moore's wife, Jen, and 9-year-old daughter, Jaidyn. "The crowd did a great job of a very warm ovation at the right times," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. "It's great to see them. It's uncharted water, in terms of what this group and the Moore family have been through. I thought tonight was a nice, well-needed recognition of the Moore family and it was good to see them." Moore's parents spoke to the crowd before the game and Jerell was introduced as an honorary member of the Badgers' starting lineup. Jerell wore No. 34, the jersey number his father donned for Wisconsin in the 1990s.

"At 5-foot-6 from Middleton, Wisconsin... #34, Jerell Moore!"

Easily last night's best highlight

Great having Jerell in our lineup. Love having the Moore family as part of our team.

As Coach @Howard_Moore says:

"Once a Badger, Always a Badger"#4Moore » #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/rK2BR0sWtc
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) November 9, 2019

4) WINNING WAYS: UW has recorded at least 30 wins in four of the last 13 seasons, the most of any team in the Big Ten. Michigan [3], Michigan State [3], Ohio State [3] and Purdue [1] are the only other Big Ten schools to win 30 games in a season over that span.

5) DEFEND THE KOHL CENTER: Over the last 15 seasons, 195 of the Badgers' 262 home wins have come by at least 10 points. Wisconsin's strength at home is fueled by its electric Kohl Center student section, AreaRED. This season, Wisconsin sold out its 2,100-person "AreaRED" student section for the seventh straight season. AreaRED is the 3rd-largest student section in the Big Ten

LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin 65, Eastern Illinois 52

Wisconsin won an emotional home-opening victory 65-62 over the Eastern Illinois Panthers at the Kohl Center on Friday night.
- Nate Reuvers – Fell one block short of a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks.
- Kobe King – Led the Badgers with a game-high 18 points including an incredible poster-dunk over an EIU defender in the first half.
The Badgers shot 38.2% (21-55) from the field while the Panthers finished at 33.3% (21-63). Wisconsin out-rebounded EIU 42-35.

SCOUTING REPORT: McNeese State
The McNeese State Cowboys have gotten off to a slow start in 2019-20, remaining winless entering Wednesday night's contest against the Badgers. The Cowboys lost five of their top eight leading scorers from last season, but have found quality-point production from their starting core with four players averaging double-figures in points. McNeese State is led by redshirt junior A.J. Lawson who is averaging 17.5 ppg and 3.0 ppg. The Cowboys are shooting 46.5 percent (53-114) from the field through two games this season and hauling in 36.5 rpg. McNeese will have only two days of rest before they top off against the Badgers on Wednesday night as the Cowboys host Southern (N.O.) Monday night before traveling to Madison.

SERIES VS. McNeese State:

This will be the first-ever matchup between the Badgers and the Cowboys. Wisconsin is 7-0 all-time against Southland Conference opponents.
Wisconsin is 7-0 all-time against Southland Conference opponents.
The Badgers are 131-13 against non-conference teams at the Kohl Center.

4 MOORE

On the night of May 25, the Wisconsin basketball family was forever changed. Assistant coach Howard Moore and his family were involved in a horrific auto accident that claimed the lives of Moore's wife, Jen, and 9-year old daughter, Jaidyn.
His 13-year old son, Jerell, survived with minor injuries, while Moore sustained severe burns and later endured a heart attack that has left him facing a long and challenging recovery.
Throughout the season, our team will be honoring the Moore family through a simple motto: Do Moore. Be Moore. 4 Moore.
The number 4 represents the four members of the family. The six words represent far more than a saying, but instead a symbol of strength and an inspiration on how to live our lives.
Our game uniforms will feature a "4MOORE" patch, (includes the names of Jen and Jaidyn). Also featured on shooting shirts and wristbands.
An assistance fund has been established with the name "The Howard Moore Family Fund." Text the word "MOORE," to 69050 to donate.