Starting Five: Badgers open season against Holy Cross

Wisconsin begins 2024-25 season at home on Monday

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men's basketball team is set to begin the 2024-25 season hosting Holy Cross on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Plus. The Badgers concluded their preseason schedule with a 78-62 win over UW-River Falls on Wednesday, and now begin a stretch of five consecutive home games to start their season.

Wisconsin has won 25 of the last 26 home openers, including eight straight. Last season, UW opened its season with a 105-76 victory over Arkansas State at the Kohl Center.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

John Tonje (9) scored 15 points vs. UW-River Falls

1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin earned a 78-62 exhibition win over UW-River Falls. Transfer graduate student John Tonje led the team with 15 points, while senior Steven Crowl contributed 14 points and 5 rebounds. Senior Carter Gilmore led an effective bench unit, going 3-for-3 from 3-point range and finishing with 9 points and five rebounds. The Badgers are now 51-0 in exhibition games since 1992.

Wisconsin Badgers' guard Camren Hunter (3) looks to pass the ball during an NCAA menÕs basketball game against UW-River Falls October 30, 2024 in Madison, WI.
Photo by Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

Camren Hunter (3) vs. UW-River Falls

2. NEW IN TOWN

Wisconsin’s roster is revamped with transfers and freshmen alike. John Tonje (Colorado State / Missouri), Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) and Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) bring well-rounded experience as transfers.

Four true freshmen join the team as well. Jack Robinson (Lakeville, Minn.) and Daniel Freitag (Bloomington, Minn.) from Minnesota. Walk-on Aidan Konop from Sussex, Wisconsin. And Ricardo Greppi from Italy.

Every new player found their way into the game against UW-River Falls, with four of them putting points on the board.

Kamari McGee (4) in last year's 105-76 season-opening win

3. OPENING STATEMENT

Wisconsin has won 25 of its last 26 home openers, including last season against Arkansas State with a 105-76 victory. UW is 25-1 all-time in openers at the Kohl Center. Under head coach Greg Gard, UW is 8-0 in season openers at home. Wisconsin is 7-1 in season openers overall under Gard, with the only blemish coming in 2019 with a 65-63 overtime loss against Saint Mary's on a neutral court.

Stripe Out game vs. Michigan State in 2024

4. SCHEDULE PREVIEW

For the first time since 2007-08, the first five games of the Badger’s schedule will all be played at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin’s first three opponents, Holy Cross, Montana State, and Appalachian State are all playing the Badgers for the first time in program history.

The fourth game of the season is a matchup against No. 10 Arizona, which will seve as this season's “Stripe Out” game for fans. The game will also feature recognitions for Wisconsin's 2013-14 and 2014-15 Final Four teams, as well as a halftime recognition for former head coach Bo Ryan.

Head Coach Greg Gard

5. DECADE OF GARD

Greg Gard enters his tenth season as head coach for the Badgers, joining a group of five head coaches with a decade of experience with Wisconsin. Gard has compiled a 186-107 (.635) overall record with the Badgers, which ranks fourth in total wins among all coaches in program history. Gard has led UW to two regular season conference championships. Wisconsin has made six appearances in the NCAA tournament, including last season.

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