Wisconsin Badgers
Arizona
Starting Five: UW hosts #9 Arizona
November 13, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Wisconsin will recognize Bo Ryan, Final Four teams
MADISON, Wis. — After three straight wins to begin the season, Wisconsin men's basketball hosts No. 9 Arizona on Friday, 8 p.m. (CT) at the Kohl Center. In addition to the game, Wisconsin will also welcome back legendary coach Bo Ryan and members of Wisconsin's back-to-back Final Four teams from 2014 and 2015.
It will also be a "Stripe Out" game at the Kohl Center, as fans are asked to wear either red or white depending on their section. See below for more details.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:
1. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin earned an impressive victory over Appalachian State on Sunday, coming back from a nine-point deficit to win the game, 87-56. The Badgers went on a 24-0 run in the first half to put themselves on top. The game featured dougle-digit scoring from five different Badgers. John Tonje and Steven Crowl both had 17 points, while Max Klesmit tallied 15 points, and Nolan Winter and Xavier Amos scored 10 points each.
Wisconsin shot 13-for-16 (81.3%) from the free throw line, and are now shooting a nation-leading 92.5 percent at the charity stripe this season.
2. SWIPING FRENZY
The Badgers racked up the steals against the Mountaineers, collecting 14 of them. In contrast, Wisconsin had the ball stolen from them just twice. It’s the first time since 2005 that the Badgers had 14 or more steals in a game, while their opponent only had two or less.
Four different Badgers had two or more steals for the first time since Jan. 03, 2023 against Minnesota. Max Klesmit matched his career high with five steals, while Crowl, Tonje and Winter each collected two.
Wisconsin won the total turnover battle, 18-to-6, scoring 16 points off turnovers in the game.
3. WATCHING THE WILDCATS
Arizona has been one of the top programs in the country since head coach Tommy Lloyd took over in 2022-23, with three straight 27-win seasons. The team is currently ranked No. 9 in the nation and is off to a 2-0 start with wins over Canisius and Old Dominion. They are averaging 97.5 points per game (13th in the nation) and allowing 54.0 points per game (12th in the nation).
The Wildcats have four players averaging double-figure scoring so far this season. Caleb Love, the 2023-24 Pac-12 Player of the Year, enters Friday's contest averaging 13.5 points per game. Sophomore Tobe Awaka is averaging 11.0 points per game and leads the nation with 12.0 rebounds per game. Junior Jaden Bradley and sophomore KJ Lewis each average 11.0 points per game.
4. SERIES HISTORY
The matchup between Arizona and Wisconsin always proves to be a notable matchup. Wisconsin leads the all-time series, 5-3, despite dropping last season’s matchup at Arizona. The two teams have faced each other four times in the NCAA tournament, with the Badgers winning three of those matchups.
The two teams faced each other in the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015, both games serving as a matchup between No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Members of those winning Wisconsin teams will be honored in-person prior to Friday's contest at the Kohl Center.
5. KOHL CENTER HONORS
Friday’s game features a number of events and promotions. The annual “Stripe Out” game will take place at the Kohl Center, with sections divided up into either white or red attire.
Prior to the game, Wisconsin will recognize notable players from UW's back-to-back Final Four teams in 2014 and 2015. The coach of those teams, Bo Ryan, will be recognized at halftime after being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year. A special ceremony will occur, as UW raises a banner with Ryan's name into the rafters of the Kohl Center.
