MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 12 Badger men's hockey team (4-4-0, 0-2-0 Big Ten) travels this weekend to take on the No. 20 Omaha Mavericks (4-1-1, 0-0-0 NCHC) in another ranked non-conference series.

Here are six quick facts to know about the upcoming series:

1. RANKED OPPONENTS: Wisconsin has faced a ranked opponent in every weekend so far this season, and that is not going to change any time soon. The No. 20 Mavericks made the rankings for USCHO.com this week for the first time this season. While Wisconsin will be continually tested throughout the year with tough opponents, experience and growth through well matched game can prove beneficial to the Badgers down the road in terms of experience and growth.

2. NON-CON OPPORTUNITY:The Badgers own a 4-2-0 non-conference record, helping the Big Ten to a 24-13-2 non-conference mark, which is currently the highest interconference win percentage of any conference at .641. The Badgers are 1-1-0 against Hockey East, the only two games between the Big Ten and Hockey East so far, while also going 1-1-0 against the ECAC and 2-0-0 against the NCHC. 

3. NATION'S TOP: Freshman phenom Cole Caufield scored his eighth goal of the season Friday night versus Penn State, which shares the national lead. He also shares the national lead in goal- scoring average at a goal per game among players who have played at least three games at a goal per game.

4. MAVERICK CONNECTIONS: Current UW associate head coach Mark Strobel was an assistant coach at Omaha from 2002 through 2004, while former UW assistant coach Mike Kemp (1981–82, '83-96) was Omaha's first men's hockey head coach, serving from 1996–2009. Kemp became an administrator at Omaha following his coaching days and currently serves as senior associate athletic director for events and facilities.

5. SCOUTING OMAHA: The Mavericks boast a 4-1-1 record so far this season with a notable win over No. 9 Ohio State. Omaha is coming off a weekend where it beat and tied with Alaska Anchorage on the road. This will be their first time back on home ice since Oct. 12.

From a player standpoint, the Mavericks are a well-rounded team. The roster carries six seniors and three juniors. One of the biggest attributes Omaha carries with them is their 12 freshmen, most notably Freshman Brandon Scanlin. Scanlin's stat line shows one goal and five assists as a defenseman and his resume boasts a reigning NCHC Rookie of the Week title.

Omaha plays at Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015, so the Badgers will make their first appearances in the building.

6. HOW TO WATCH: Wisconsin will take on Omaha both Friday and Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. both nights. Puck drop will be 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night from Nebraska. A stream will be available both nights on NCHC.tv and the game will be available on WTSO 1070. Live stats at uwbadgers.com and live updates will be available by following @BadgerMHockey on Twitter.