MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's basketball team officially tips off its 2022-23 season on Monday when the Badgers host South Dakota at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Kohl Center. Fans can watch the game live on Big Ten Network.

STARTING FIVE

1.) LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin hosted UW-Eau Claire for its lone exhibition last Sunday, the first opportunity the Badgers had to share the court since playing four games earlier this summer in France. The Badgers bested the Blugolds 76-45, as junior forward Steven Crowl led the team scoring 14 points and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Senior forward Tyler Wahl (10 points) and freshman guard Connor Essegian (10 points) also scored in double figures.

2.) ON GARD: Entering his 8th season as head coach, Greg Gard has led the Badgers to Big Ten titles in two of the last three seasons. Gard has guided the Badgers to a record of 144-78 (.649), the fourth-highest win total and third-highest win percentage in school history.

3.) WAHL BALL: One of the most versatile players in the country, Tyler Wahl, enters his senior season named to the 2023 Preseason All-Big Ten Team and was one of 20 candidates in the country to be named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year award watch list. During UW's exhibition against UW-Eau Claire last Sunday, Wahl had an impressive all-around game for UW finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block. Last season, Wahl was ranked third on the team in scoring with 11.4 points per game while shooting a team-best 51.6 percent from the floor. Wahl was also the team leader in steals with 37 and ranked second for the Badgers with 25 blocks.

4.) CHUCKY AT THE POINT: A Big Ten All-Freshman honoree last year, point guard Chucky Hepburn returns for the Badgers after starting every game as a true freshman. Named to the 2023 Preseason All-Big Ten Team, Hepburn averaged 7.9 points per game last season, was the team leader in assists and also grabbed 36 steals.

5.) BADGERS AT THE DIAMOND: The highly anticipated 'Brew City Battle' is officially one week. Badger fans will not want to miss this unique event, as it is the first basketball game to be played at American Family Field and will feature both the Wisconsin women's and men's teams in a doubleheader. The UW men's team will take on Stanford at 6:30 p.m., if you aren't able to join us for the action, fan will be able to watch the action on FS1. Tickets are available at Brewers.com/Badgers.