Starting Five: Wisconsin set for Thursday night thriller at USC

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's basketball takes their game out West to face the USC Trojans on Thursday, Feb. 19. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. (CT) and will air on Peacock.

Here are five things to know before the Badgers face the Trojans:

1. THREE BALL THREAT:
Wisconsin has taken a major step forward from beyond the arc in the 2025–26 season, averaging 8.6 made three-pointers per game, up from 6.0 last season, while shooting roughly 34.7% from three. The Badgers have also significantly increased their three-point attempts, rising from 17.8 per game in 2024–25 (243rd nationally) to about 24.8 attempts per game in 2025–26 (42nd nationally), a jump of nearly 7.0 attempts per game.

2. SCOUTING THE TROJANS:
Under the leadership of fifth year head coach Lindsay Gottlieb USC has posted a 16-9 overall record and a 8-6 mark in B1G play. The Trojans are coming off a 79-73 win against Indiana and as a team they average 70.1 points per game and pull down 38.6 rebounds per game.

Freshman standout Jazzy Davidson leads the Trojans' offense, averaging 34.4 points per game and already totaling 429 points this season. The guard also anchors the defense, pacing the team with 55 blocks. Alongside Davidson is sophomore guard Kennedy Smith and senior guard Kara Dunn who each average 32.0 points per game.

3. SERIES HISTORY:
This marks just the second meeting in program history between the Badgers and USC. Wisconsin previously hosted the Trojans at the Kohl Center during the 2024–25 season, falling 86–64.

4. LAST TIME OUT:

Wisconsin fell, 83-60, to the Minnesota Golden Gophers Sunday evening.

Kyrah Daniels led the Badgers with 18 points and three boards. Gift Uchenna put together her 11th game in double-digits, adding 14 points and eight rebounds. Ronnie Porter contributed seven points and four assists on the night, while Dorja Zaja added seven of her own off the bench.

Wisconsin finished shooting 43.4% (23-53) from the field, 21.1% (4-19) from the arc and 76.9% (10-13) from the line. Minnesota ended shooting 52.4% (32-59) from the field, 33.3% (6-18) from three and 86.7% (13-15) from the line.

5. UP NEXT:
The Badgers stay on the road to play No. 2 UCLA on Sunday, Feb. 22. Tip is set for 4:30 p.m. (CT) and the game can be streamed on Peacock.