EVANSTON, Ill. — The Wisconsin women's basketball team (10-10, 3-7 B1G) embarks on the second leg of its two-game road trip as it travels to face Northwestern (7-14, 2-8 B1G) on Sunday, Feb. 4. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, 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 Wildcats.
1. WILLIAMS WON'T STOP: During Wisconsin's most recent game back on Thursday, Feb. 1 against Ohio State, Serah Williams secured her ninth double-double of the season and seventh consecutive one. The sophomore's 16 point, 11 rebound performance tied her with Theresa Huff at second all-time in consecutive double-doubles in Badger history. Williams is a conference leader in both points and rebounds, ranking third in average points per game with 17.8 and first in rebounds with an average 10.4.
2. BLOCK PARTY: With two blocks in Columbus, Williams tied Emily Ashbaugh at number six in all-time Badger blocks with 113. In just 49 career-games, Williams has been able to display her prowess as one of the best blockers in program history. The forward has remained on top of the Big Ten for almost the entirety of the season, averaging 3.1 per game and totaling 55 while ranking No. 10 in the NCAA.
3. CAPITALIZING ON SECOND-CHANCES: In the last two games, the Badgers have led opponents in second chance points, 37-20. Wisconsin is always looking to crash the boards on the offensive end and do not let up in the case of a missed shot. Williams and Ronnie Porter are huge contributors in this category, as they both rank in the top 20 in offensive rebounds in the Big Ten. Williams ranks sixth in offensive rebounds with a total of 52 and Porter is 16th with 38.
4. HISTORY WITH NORTHWESTERN: Wisconsin and Northwestern will meet for the second time this season, after NU took the first game, 74-69, back on Jan. 10 in Badger territory. UW trails the Wildcats, 47-33 in the all-time series, with the rivalry between the two teams dating back to 1977. The Badgers did not claim their first victory until a 57-54 win back in 1983 and they followed that with another three-consecutive victories. In the teams' last meeting, Serah Williams secured her fifth double-double of the season and led the team in scoring with 16 points, going a perfect 8-8 at the charity stripe. The forward also notched a career-high 6 blocks, continuing to lead the Big Ten.She was rivaled in scoring by Caileigh Walsh, who dropped 19 points and eight rebounds.
5. SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Northwestern is 2-8 in conference play this season, tied with Purdue for 12th in the Big Ten. Melannie Daley leads the Wildcats in scoring this season, averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting 50.0% from three. The junior is accompanied in scoring by Caileigh Walsh, who is just behind Daley with 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds a contest.
