Big Ten basketball schedule favors UW
MADISON – Although predicting the relative difficulty of any schedule months before the start of the season is always risky, it appears the Big Ten office was kind to Wisconsin coach Greg Gard and his players.
The release Friday of the 2019-20 Big Ten men’s basketball schedule revealed that UW, which finished 14-6 in the league and 23-11 overall last season but must replace four-year starter Ethan Happ, opens league play at home; in its first five games faces only one team expected to challenge for the league title, though three of those games are on the road; and plays four of its final six league games at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers open Big Ten play on Dec. 7 against visiting Indiana, which finished 8-12 and 19-16 last season.
Next is a trip to Rutgers on Dec. 11. The Scarlet Knights have made progress under coach Steve Pikiell but finished 7-13 and 14-17 last season.
UW stays on the road to face Ohio State on Jan. 3. The Buckeyes, who finished 8-12 and 20-15 last season, expect to make a run at the league title.
The Badgers then host Illinois on Jan. 8. The Illini figure to be better than last season, though they finished just 7-13 and 12-21.
UW then faces host Penn State, 7-13 and 14-18 last season, on Jan. 11.
What could be the most demanding stretch of the schedule begins Jan. 17 with a trip to Michigan State, which finished 16-4 and 32-7 last year and is expected to challenge for a national title.
If the Badgers need a strong finish, the schedule appears favorable.
Beginning Feb. 18, four of UW’s final six games are at the Kohl Center. Purdue, Rutgers, Minnesota and Northwestern all visit during that stretch. The two road games – Feb. 27 against Michigan and March 7 against Indiana – should be daunting.