MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin women's basketball team opens its 2025–26 campaign with an exhibition matchup against UW-River Falls on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Kohl Center. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT), with streaming available on B1G+ and radio coverage on 1070 The Game and the iHeartRadio app.
Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Falcons:
1. A NEW ERA BEGINS:Â Sunday marks the first game under head coach Robin Pingeton, who takes over after 15 seasons at Missouri. Pingeton brings a proven track record, including 10 postseason appearances and multiple WNBA draft picks. She inherits a roster anchored by returners
Ronnie Porter and
Lily Krahn, while adding eight newcomers, including six transfers from the portal, highlighted by MEAC Player of the Year
Destiny Howell.
2. HISTORY VS. UW-RIVER FALLS: This will be the third meeting between the Badgers and the Falcons. Wisconsin last faced River Falls in an exhibition during the 2014–15 season in Madison, winning 94–55. The teams' only regular-season matchup came in 1975, also in Madison, with River Falls winning 67-52.
3. SCOUTING THE FALCONS:Â UW-River Falls averaged 59.4 points per game last season while holding opponents to 59.2. They shot 37.4% overall and 32.3% from three, averaging just over seven threes per game. Olivia Hoerl (Sr. G/F) leads the team with 14.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while Zoey Buchan (Sr. G) adds 13.6 points on 40.6% three-point shooting. Karleigh Creasey (Sr. G) contributes 6.4 points, 2.7 assists, and nearly three steals per game..
4. RETURNING TALENT:Â Senior point guard
Ronnie Porter returns after a strong 2024-25 season, averaging 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. She improved her assist-to-turnover ratio to 2.5 and recorded multiple career double-doubles, including a career-high 26 points vs. Georgetown. Senior guard
Lily Krahn also returns as a key perimeter player, averaging 7.1 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 38% from three and maintaining a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
5. LOOKING AHEAD: The Badgers will officially open the regular season on Nov. 5, hosting Oakland at 6:30 p.m. (CT) at the Kohl Center. The game will be streamed on B1G+.
