MADISON, Wis. —The Wisconsin women's basketball team is set to play its first regular season game of the 2022-23 season against Milwaukee on Monday, Nov. 7. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. from the Klotsche Center. Watch live on ESPN+ or listen on WTSO.

Here are five things to know before tuning into the I-94 matchup:
 
1. STRONG FIRST LOOK: In Wisconsin's exhibition match against UW-La Crosse last Sunday, the Badgers put on an impressive display. They were led by senior Julie Pospíšilová, who recorded 21 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six assists, three rebounds and two blocks. While this was no surprise, Wisconsin also had the opportunity to showcase their new talent as 50 of Wisconsin's 84 points came from players who had not previously played in a game for the Badgers. UW was also able to control the ball well, and finished the game with a 23:5 assist to turnover ratio.

2. FRESHMAN TAKEOVER: The Badgers have seven true freshmen and two redshirt-freshmen on their roster, and a majority of them made their way onto the court against the Eagles. Playing their first time as Badgers were Serah Williams, Maty Wilke, Ronnie Porter, Sania Copeland, Savannah White, Lily Krahn, Sacia Vanderpool and Mary Ferrito. Williams was added to the starting lineup, and she quickly made a name for herself on the court. The Brooklyn, New York native scored eight first-quarter points and finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Maty Wilke, a redshirt-freshman from Beaver Dam, finished with 14 points, including three triples, five rebounds and four blocks.

3. LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS: As the 2021-22 Patriot League Player of the Year and the most experienced Badger player, Avery LaBarbera was projected to be a key part of the team in her fifth season. LaBarbera looked like a veteran as she commanded the offense from the point guard position and had an intense, yet even keeled style of play. The graduate senior notched 14 points and also tagged on five rebounds and four assists.

4. SUCCESS IN SEASON OPENERS: Wisconsin begins its 49th season of women's basketball, marking the 26th time the Badgers start off on the road. Wisconsin has won 12 of their last 13 season openers, and have emerged victorious in their last five. This will be the second time in the last decade that Wisconsin plays Milwaukee in a season opener. The two teams faced off Nov. 11, 2011 as Wisconsin won 68-51, and then again Nov. 11, 2012 when Wisconsin won 74-56. 

5. SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Both Wisconsin and Milwaukee will play in their first regular season game of the season, and will face off for the 12th time in program history. The Panthers were picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League this season, and have consistently finished top five in the conference over the past four years. The Panthers are led by redshirt-senior Megan Walstad, who was one of 25 players named to the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year preseason watch list. The two-time First Team All-Horizon League player scored a game-high 21 points in Milwaukee's 79-67 win over Wisconsin on Nov. 24, 2021. However, fresh off a dominant win over UW-La Crosse in an exhibition match Oct. 30, the Badgers will look to use this momentum to propel them to their ninth program victory over the Panthers.