Wisconsin hosts No. 20 Michigan State in conference tipoff

Sunday, December 7

Madison, WI

5 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan State

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Wisconsin hosts No. 20 Michigan State in conference tipoff

December 05, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Badgers welcome the Spartans to Madison for its first Big Ten test of the season.

By: Abby Madonia

MADISON, Wis.- The Wisconsin women's basketball team opens Big Ten play against the No. 20 Michigan State Spartans. Tip is set for Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be available to watch on the Big Ten Network and the FOX Sports app.

Here are five things to know before the Badgers tip off conference play:

1. BADGER SPOTLIGHT: Junior guard Kyrah Daniels has been a standout for Wisconsin through the opening stretch of the season, leading the team with 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Daniels is shooting 40% from the field through nine games and has reached the 20-point mark twice.

Graduate guard Destiny Howell continues to be a steady scoring presence, averaging 12.4 points per game while shooting 48.8% from the field and 44.2% from three. She set a season high with 23 points against Green Bay and has scored in double figures in seven of Wisconsin's nine games.

2. SPARTAN SCOUTING REPORT: Michigan State enters the match up undefeated at 8-0 and ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll. The Spartans are averaging 78.1 points per game while holding opponents to 64.1. Offensively, they are shooting 44.3% from the field, including 33.6% from three, and are grabbing 37.1 rebounds per game.

Defensively, Michigan State is allowing just 40.1% shooting from the field while forcing an average of 15.4 turnovers. The Spartans are led by Grace Vanslooten who has earned 126 points and is averaging 15.8 points per game.

3. SERIES HISTORY: Wisconsin and Michigan State have met 80 times, with the Spartans holding a 53-27 advantage in the all-time series. The teams first met in 1976, and the most recent Wisconsin win came during the 2022-23 season in East Lansing. At home, the Badgers hold a narrow 20-19 edge.

4. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin is coming off a 69-50 loss to JMU in the Daytona Beach Classic. Kyrah Daniels led the Badgers with 18 points and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Wisconsin shot 28.1% from three while forcing 10 turnovers.

5. LOOKING AHEAD: Following the Big Ten opener, Wisconsin will host San Diego for its annual Education Day game on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. (CT) on B1G+.