Starting Five: Exhibition vs. Eau Claire

Wisconsin

0-0, 0-0 Big Ten

Eau Claire

0-0, 0-0 WIAC

Game Coverage

Oct. 30 | 11:30 a.m. | Kohl Center | Madison, Wis.

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's basketball team will unofficially tip off the 125th season in program history on Sunday when the Badgers host UW-Eau Claire for an exhibition on Sunday, 11:30 a.m. CT at the Kohl Center. Fans can stream the game live on BTN+.

STARTING FIVE

1.) FOR STARTERS: Wisconsin hosts UW-Eau Claire for its lone exhibition of the preseason. Each of the last 17 seasons, the Badgers have hosted a team from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) during exhibition play. UW head coach Greg Gard is an alum of WIAC member UW-Platteville and spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Pioneers. The Badgers are 17-0 vs. the WIAC all-time. UW is also 59-4 all-time in exhibition play, owning a current streak of 48 consecutive wins (dating back to 1992). This marks the 2nd all-time meeting between Wisconsin and Eau Claire, with the Badgers earning a 74-35 exhibition win Nov. 7, 2007.

2.) GARDING AGAINST CANCER: Sunday's game will mark the 6th-annual "Cancer Awareness Game." Partnering with Garding Against Cancer and the UW Carbone Cancer Center, UW will recognize survivors, doctors, researchers and those helping to fight this dreaded disease.

3.) BADGER BREAKDOWN: The Badgers return three starters from last year in preseason All-Big Ten honorees Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl, along with junior forward Steven Crowl. Wisconsin returns 52.3% minutes played last season and 44.1% of its scoring. losing its top two scorers from last season in Johnny Davis and Brad Davison who accounted for 46.6% alone.

4.) ON GARD: 2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year and Naismith National Coach of the Year finalist, Greg Gard has led Wisconsin to 5 of 6 NCAA tournaments during his tenure. As 2020 Big Ten champions, UW would have also participated in the canceled tournament that year. Wisconsin won a share of the Big Ten title last season, marking UW's 2nd league crown in 3 seasons and the 20th regular-season championship in program history.

5.) POLL POSITION: Wisconsin begins the season unranked in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches Poll, but don't underestimate the Badgers. Over the past 15 seasons, Wisconsin has started the year unranked in the AP Top 25 poll six times. In five of those six instances, the Badgers finished the season ranked.

125-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The Wisconsin men's basketball program begins its 125th season with the 2022-23 campaign, and the Badgers will celebrate with year-long festivities in honor of this milestone season in the program's history.

125 Year Five-Game Ticket Package:
In celebration of 125 years of Wisconsin men's basketball, fans can enjoy the "125 Year Five-Game Ticket Package" for $125 ($25 per ticket)! Games included in the five-game ticket package include:

Nov. 7 vs. South Dakota
Dec. 6 vs. Maryland
Jan. 3 vs. Minnesota
Feb. 18 vs. Rutgers
March 2 vs. Purdue

Please note that there is a limit of 12 package tickets per customer. Click here for more information.

Social Media Campaign:
Fans are encouraged to join in the celebration of 125 years of Wisconsin men's basketball on social media all season long. Follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for fun engagement opportunities, information and more.

Commemorative Logo:
Designed by Wisconsin Athletics, a commemorative logo will be featured throughout the season on social media, web, promotional materials, and more.

Wisconsin Basketball 125-Year Anniversary Logo

Honorary Captains
Throughout the season, the program will welcome home familiar faces and legends of the program to be recognized as honorary captains at Kohl Center home games. Stay tuned on social media (@BadgerMBB) for more information on who will be returning to Wisconsin and when.

Marketing Promotions
Fans in attendance for Wisconsin's home game vs. Maryland on December 6 will each receive a rally towel with an old-school replica court print.

Replica Court Rally Towel

Fans in attendance for Wisconsin's home game vs. Rutgers on February 18 will receive a commemorative lapel pin.

University of Wisconsin Athletics