MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's basketball program announced on Friday that it will take on Villanova in the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The Badgers and Wildcats will meet on Friday, Dec. 19 at Fiserv Forum, the home of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. It will be UW's second game at Fiserv Forum as the Badgers will face Oklahoma in an exhibition contest on Friday, Oct. 24. 

"Any time you get the chance to schedule a powerhouse program like Villanova it's a win-win," UW head coach Greg Gard said. "We get the chance to measure ourselves in the non-conference and Badgers fans in Wisconsin get to see a big-time college basketball game. Much like our exhibition against Oklahoma, I'm excited for our fans and alumni in Milwaukee to get a game in their backyard. The atmosphere has been awesome every time we've played in that area and I have no doubt Fiserv will be filled with red for these games as well."

This year's matchup marks the third-ever meeting between the two programs with the series tied up at 1-1. The most recent meeting came in the Round of 32 at the 2017 NCAA Tournament as the Badgers took down No. 1 Villanova, 65-62, in Buffalo, N.Y. 

Tip time and television info for this year's game will be announced at a later date. Intersport, a Chicago-based sports marketing and events agency, will manage all aspects of the event.

Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 24, and fans can register to receive dedicated event information and be eligible for ticket presale access, which will take place on Tuesday Sept. 23, by registering online at www.fiservforum.com/showdown. A presale opportunity will be available for donors and UW men's basketball season ticket holders in mid-September. More information will be communicated in early September. 

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