Wisconsin men’s basketball team announces 2020-21 schedule

The Wisconsin men’s basketball program revealed its 2020-21 schedule, which includes 20 Big Ten Conference games announced by the league office Wednesday.

The Badgers are scheduled to tip off the season next Wednesday, Nov. 25, hosting Eastern Illinois at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin opens up Big Ten play at home on Dec. 21, hosting Nebraska in Madison.

“I’m happy to finally have a schedule put together and grateful to those who put a lot of time and effort into something none of us have ever navigated before,” head coach Greg Gard said. “That includes Marc VandeWettering from our staff, who has spent an immeasurable amount of energy on this puzzle.

“We have six non-conference games on the schedule right now, but we are still looking to add one additional home opponent in the month of December. Overall, with our non-conference schedule, we tried to create the safest environment possible and having so many games at home allows us to have a little more control over some of the variables. As we all know, even this schedule could be fluid given the times we’re in. But today is confirmation that opening day is just a week away, and I know our players will be excited to get on the floor and start playing games.”

This season has been highly anticipated for the reigning Big Ten champion Badgers, who begin the year ranked No. 7 in both the preseason AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. The second-highest preseason ranking in program history, it marks the fifth time that the Badgers begin the season ranked top 10 in the preseason AP Top 25. Wisconsin is one of seven teams from the Big Ten Conference ranked.

Led by Big Ten Coach of the Year Gard, Wisconsin returns at least 77% of its scoring (78.7%), rebounding (83.6%), assists (86.1%), steals (79.7%), blocks (88.6%) and minutes (77.5%) from its 2019-20 squad.

Already drawing preseason praise and a place on national preseason award watch lists are Micah Potter (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award), Nate Reuvers (Karl Malone Award) and D’Mitrik Trice (Bob Cousy Award).

FULL SCHEDULE

Wisconsin vs. Eastern Illinois, Nov. 25, 9 p.m.

Wisconsin vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Nov. 27, 8 p.m.

Wisconsin vs. Green Bay, Dec. 1, 4 p.m.

Wisconsin at Marquette, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.

Wisconsin vs. Louisville, Dec. 9, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Northern Iowa, Dec. 16, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Nebraska, Dec. 21, TBA

Wisconsin at Michigan State, Dec. 25, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Maryland, Dec. 28, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Minnesota, Dec. 31, TBA

Wisconsin at Penn State, Jan. 3, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Indiana, Jan. 7, TBA

Wisconsin at Michigan, Jan. 12, TBA

Wisconsin at Rutgers, Jan. 15, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Ohio State, Jan. 23, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern, Jan. 27, TBA

Wisconsin at Maryland, Jan. 30, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Penn State, Feb. 2, TBA

Wisconsin at Illinois, Feb. 6, TBA

Wisconsin at Nebraska, Feb. 11, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Michigan, Feb. 14, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Iowa, Feb. 18, TBA

Wisconsin at Northwestern, Feb. 21, TBA

Wisconsin vs. Illinois, Feb. 27, TBA

Wisconsin at Purdue, March 2, TBA

Wisconsin at Iowa, March 7, TBA