Wisconsin basketball officially announces non-conference matchup against Big East power
Initially reported by CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, the contest will transpire at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of a two-game series. The latter match is set to tip at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a part of the 2026-27 slate.
"Any time you get the chance to schedule a powerhouse program like Villanova it's a win-win," Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard told UWBadgers.com. "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."
The Dec. 19 showdown will also mark the first bout between the two programs since No. 8 Wisconsin upset No. 1 Villanova on a Nigel Hayes game-winner in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. UW will also suit up against opposing head coach Kevin Willard, who has served as Maryland's head coach since the 2022-23 season. 2025-26 will be his first year at the helm with the Wildcats.
Of note, Willard's Terrapins defeated the Badgers 76-68 in College Park a season ago with strong performances from big men Julian Reese and Derik Queen. He owns a 2-3 clip all-time against Greg Gard's program.
Wisconsin's other notable regular-season non-conference matchups include BYU in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marquette in Madison, Providence at the Rady's Children's Invitational, and the winner of TCU vs. Florida. UW will also take on the UW-Milwaukee Panthers on Dec. 30, the Oklahoma Sooners in an October exhibition and the Campbell Fighting Camels on Nov. 3 at the Kohl Center.
Villanova, which won a pair of NCAA titles under legendary head coach Jay Wright in 2016 and 2018, is in search of its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2021-22 season. Wisconsin, meanwhile, aims to lean on top returning starters John Blackwell and Nolan Winter, plus transfers Nick Boyd, Andrew Rohde and Austin Rapp, to return to the postseason after a 27-10 output during the 2024-25 campaign.
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