Venue	State Farm Center | Champaign, Ill.
Statistics	Wisconsin | Illinois
Stream	B1G+
Radio	Listen Live on WTSO
Live Stats	vs. Illinois
Social Media	Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Game Notes	Wisconsin

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (7-6, 0-3 B1G) travels to face Illinois (6-6, 0-2 B1G) on Sunday, Jan. 7 inside the State Farm Center. Tip off is at 2 p.m., and the game can be streamed live on B1G+, or listened to on 1070 WTSO-AM. 

Here are five things to know before the Badgers matchup against the Illini.

1. NATALIE IS LEUZ-OUT: Over the last three games, Natalie Leuzinger has really elevated her game and been a consistent spark for the Badgers, whether she starts or comes off the bench. In the three-game span, the senior is averaging 12.7 points while shooting 72.5% from field-goal range and 66.7% from behind the arc. 

2. SERAH'S ROUSING RETURN: After missing two games due to an injury sustained against St. Thomas on Dec. 13, Serah Williams returned to the court in the Badgers' first match of 2024 against the Huskers. Following her hiatus, the sophomore produced a team-high 16 points (6-14 FG, 4-4 FT) and helped propel the Badger offense. This season, Williams is averaging 16.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and a conference-best 2.9 blocks per game. 

3. WELL-ROUNDED RONNIE: Ronnie Porter has the ability to excel in all facets of the game whether it be in points, rebounds or on defense. The Badgers' game versus the Huskers was yet another example of her versatility as a player, with the sophomore notching 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The balanced play that Porter brings to the court is what makes her such an indispensable player, allowing her to average a conference-high 34.3 minutes per game after averaging just around five the season prior.

4. SCHRAMEK'S SCORING: In her last game out, Brooke Schramek dropped 12 points, which marked her third time scoring in double-digits in the last four games. During that span, the senior is averaging 12.3 points, which is well above her season-average of 9.7. The Badgers are 5-2 when Schramek scores 10 or more points, proving the value that Schramek adds when her offense is consistent and strong.

5. SCOUTING THE ILLINI: Wisconsin and Illinois will play for the first time since Dec. 29, 2022, and will mark the 83rd game between the two teams. The programs are tied 41-41, with the Illini snagging the last two contests. Illinois is 6-6 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten, with conference losses coming against Michigan and Indiana. The team is led by senior Genesis Bryant who averages a team-high 14.9 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds. She is a lethal three-point shooter, averaging 42.1% from behind the arc, and she earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.