MADISON, Wis. — Exactly 12 days after Wisconsin topped Minnesota in football to retain Paul Bunyan's Axe, the sixth-ranked basketball Badgers look to continue UW's dominance on the court as well when they host the No. 21 Gophers on Thursday at the Kohl Center. Tip is set for 3:30 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.

The Badgers have won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Gophers. In football, Wisconsin has won 15 of the last 16 over Minnesota.

THE STARTING FIVE

1) NO AXE, NO PROBLEM: Wisconsin is 17-2 all-time against Minnesota at the Kohl Center, with the Gophers' lone wins coming in 2009 (overtime) and 2019.

2) NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Wisconsin has won 85.8% (319-53) of its games at the Kohl Center all-time, ranking as the ninth-best win percentage for any Division I team in its current home venue. At the Kohl Center, Wisconsin is 45-18 (.714) against teams ranked in the AP Top 25.

3) SHOOTERS SHOOT: Wisconsin ranks 13th in the nation shooting 41.5% from 3-point range, averaging 9.0 triples per game. Led by senior big man Micah Potter (46.2% 3FG), each of UW's starters averages one or more made 3 per game. All five of UW's starters have made at least 9 triples this season.

4) D-FENSE! D-FENSE! The Badgers have stifled opponents defensively, leading the Big Ten allowing only 60.6 ppg this season and ranked second in field goal percentage defense (38.7%). UW ranks 8th in the country in Ken Pomeroy's Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. In fact, Wisconsin is one of just two teams to rank among the nation's top 10 in both offensive (9th) and defensive (8th) efficiency according to KenPom, joined by only Baylor.

5) BADGERS DON'T BEAT THEMSELVES: Wisconsin ranks 2nd in the nation averaging only 8.2 turnovers per game. Dating back to last season, UW has committed 11 or fewer turnovers in 28 consecutive games.