MADISON, Wis. — The Badgers (7-17, 4-10 B1G) return home to host Michigan State (13-11, 7-6) on Wednesday in the Kohl Center. Tip time is 6:30 p.m. streamed live on B1G+. Wisconsin also travels to No. 18 Ohio State (19-4, 11-3) on Sunday. The Badgers and Buckeyes tip off at 1 p.m. CT from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, streamed live on B1G+.
Here are five things to know before Wednesday's game.
1. B1G COMEBACK: Wisconsin recorded its biggest comeback in program history after trailing Purdue by 22 points early in the third quarter on Sunday. The Badgers outscored the Boilermakers, 39-15, over the final 19 minutes of the game to win 54-52. It was also the biggest comeback ever in the Big Ten conference women's basketball game.
It was a tale of two halves on Sunday as Wisconsin shot just 15.4% (4-26) from the field in the first half but improved to 58.3% (14-24) in the second half, finishing the game at 36% (18-50). It was a complete team effort that led the Badgers' resurgence, Julie Pospislova tallied nine fourth-quarter points, while
Krystyna Ellew (5),
Katie Nelson (4) and Brooke Scramek (3) all scored well in the fourth quarter. Coach Moseley describes the game afterwards as, "magical."
2. SUNDAY FUNDAY: The Badgers like playing on Sunday in 2022 where they are 4-2 in the new year, including a 3-0 mark at home. UW defeated Penn State, 69-57, at home on Jan. 23; Illinois, 70-62, on Feb. 6; and Purdue, 54-52, on Sunday. Wisconsin has surpassed its 2020-21 overall and Big Ten win total, improving to 7-17 overall and 4-10 in the conference this season. The Badgers were 5-19 overall and 3-18 in the B1G last season, looking to bring some of that Sunday momentum into Wednesday night's matchup versus Sparty.
3. SOPHOMORE SENSATION: Sophomore Brooke Schramek has scored in double figures the last five games in a row, a career best for the forward. She averages 14.0 points per game over the span, shooting 46.9% (23-49) from the field, including 50% (5-10) from 3-point range, and 81.8% (18-22) from the free-throw line. Schramek also adds 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game over the stretch.
After locking in her starting position over the first couple games of the season, Schramek has settled into her role as a versatile two-way player for Wisconsin as she can provide solid footwork and points in the paint for the Badgers, while still having the ability to knock down shots from deep.
4. THE COUNTDOWN: Grad student Katie Nelson is counting down to 1,300 career points, needing six tallies. The guard has played at least 40 minutes in nine games this season, leading the nation with 912 minutes played while leading the Big Ten and ranking sixth nationally, averaging 38.0 minutes per game.
The grad student was recognized last Sunday as UW's only graduating player on Senior Day in the Kohl Center. Only four games remaining in the regular season, including two home games, before the Big Ten Tournament on March 2-6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
5. SCOUTING THE SPARTANS: Michigan State currently sits seventh in the Big Ten with an overall record of 13-11 and a conference mark of 7-6. Boasting recent wins over No. 4 Michigan and Minnesota, the Spartans main offensive production comes from senior guard Nia Clouden, who averages 20.9 points per game with a 42.7% 3-point shooting. On the inside for Michigan State is junior forward Taiyier Parks. Usually coming off the bench for the Spartans, Parks averages 8.3 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game.
