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MADISON, Wis. —  The Wisconsin women's basketball team returns to the Kohl Center to play in its first regular-season game of the 2023-24 season against Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Tip time is 6:30 p.m and the game can be watched on B1G+.
Here are five things to know before the Badgers matchup against Milwaukee:
1. SERAH'S STRONG START: Sophomore Serah Williams put on a stellar performance against UW-Whitewater in the scrimmage last Sunday, leading the team in scoring with 30 points (12-17 FG, 6-7 FT). In just 21 minutes played, Williams completely took over the scoring, contributing over one-third of the Badgers' points. The forward also accumulated five rebounds, two steals and one block.Â
2. STARTING LINEUP SWITCHES: Wisconsin's starting lineup against UW-Whitewater looked quite different from last year's, with Williams and senior Brooke Schramek being the only returning starters on the team. Ronnie Porter, Natalie Leuzinger, and freshman D'Yanis Jimenez all got a chance to start against the Warhawks. At just 5-foot-4, Porter was second in points on the team with 18 (7-8 FG, 1-1 3FG, 3-4 FT) and led in steals with four. Leuzinger amassed a team high six rebounds, and Jimenez totaled 15 points (5-13, 0-2 3FG, 5-6 FT) in her first collegiate appearance.
3. FRESHMEN FIRST PERFORMANCES: In addition to Jimenez seeing significant action on the court, the four other Badger freshmen were able to showcase their skills against the Warhawks. Leena Patibandla played a total of 19 minutes and scored five points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3FG), also added two rebounds and two assists. Ana Guillen contributed two points of her own, Imbie Jones logged three rebounds and Tessa Grady accumulated one block.
4. SUCCESS IN SEASON OPENERS: Wisconsin begins its 50th season of women's basketball against Milwaukee, marking the 23rd time the Badgers will begin on their home court. Wisconsin has gone 33-16 in career openers, and have a 19-4 record at home. UW has won 13 of its last 14 season openers, and has emerged victorious in its last six-straight.Â
5. SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: The Badgers will face the Panthers in a home opener for the third time in the last 12 years. This will mark the 13th time the programs have met, and the sixth time in the Kohl Center. The last time the teams faced off was Nov. 7, 2022 when Wisconsin won 59-49 on the road. The Panthers finished seventh in the Horizon League last season, with an 11-19 overall record and an 8-12 conference record. In the 2022-23 season, Milwaukee was led by current junior Kendall Nead, who averaged 11.1 points per game.
