basketball

Wisconsin's Ethan Happ (22) goes up for a layup during the game against Illinois at State Farm Center on Tuesday, January 31.

BASKETBALL

Badgers continue to stumble, this time in East Lansing

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 26, 2017

It had been 13 years since the Badgers bested Michigan State at the Breslin Center. Finally, with a Spartan team struggling to win games and without their senior leader Eron Harris, UW had a shot to break a nine-game road losing streak to MSU. But Sunday afternoon, Harris was on the floor and the No. 16 Badgers (11-5 Big Ten, 22-7 overall) dropped their tenth straight game in East Lansing, Mich., to an explosive Spartans team (10-6, 18-11). Though Harris played just eight seconds as he rested with season-ending knee surgery, there was a different energy in the building for his senior night.

BASKETBALL

Badgers must show urgency to best Michigan State on the road

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 25, 2017

The No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers (11-4 Big Ten, 22-6 overall) thought they had solved a number of problems and righted their ship after last Sunday’s 71-60 win over Maryland.

Bronson Koenig was the only Badger who could find any rhythm offensively Thursday night on the road.

BASKETBALL

Koenig excels, Badgers falter again against unranked Buckeyes

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 23, 2017

The No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers (11-4 Big Ten, 22-6 overall) have made losing to unranked opponents a habit in the last two weeks.

Nigel Hayes and the Badgers may have finally broken out of their slump in the second half against Maryland Sunday.

COLUMNS

Mondays with Rasty: UW silences doubters but issues remain

By Zach Rastall | Feb. 20, 2017

At least for the moment, Wisconsin has righted the ship and is back on course toward at least a share of the Big Ten title. Thanks to an emphatic 11-point win over Maryland Sunday afternoon, the Badgers sit tied with Purdue atop the conference standings with only four games left in the regular season.

Bronson Koenig ignited the offense and the Kohl Center crowd after returning from injury.

BASKETBALL

Koenig provides spark, Showalter shines on defense as Badgers get back on track

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 19, 2017

The Badgers sorely missed Bronson Koenig against Michigan Thursday as they watched 3-pointer after 3-pointer clang off the rim in their second-straight conference loss.

Koenig scored nine points in his return and keyed a Badger run in the second half.

BASKETBALL

Koenig returns, Badgers roll past Maryland

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 19, 2017

After scoring fewer than 60 points in back-to-back losses, the first half of the No. 11 Badgers’ (11-3 Big Ten, 22-5 overall) matchup with No. 23 Maryland (10-4, 22-5) looked like more of the same.

Cayla McMorris and the Badgers are looking to win back-to-back conference games for the first time this season.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

McMorris, Young power Badgers past Rutgers as Gilreath sets record

By Isaiah De los Santos | Feb. 18, 2017

In the annual “Think Pink” game, Wisconsin took the court covered in pink from headbands to shoelaces.

BASKETBALL

In tie atop conference standings, stagnant Badgers welcome Maryland

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 18, 2017

As the rest of his teammates filed out of the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion Friday evening, freshman guard D’Mitrik Trice stayed behind.

Koenig was sidelined with an injury and the Badgers couldn't get a win in his absence.

BASKETBALL

With Koenig absent, Badgers fall on road to Wolverines

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 16, 2017

For 136 games, Bronson Koenig’s cool handle and sharp shooting guided the Badgers through treacherous waters in the Big Ten.

BASKETBALL

Happ, Badgers look to bounce back against much-improved Wolverines

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 15, 2017

Senior guard Bronson Koenig sat out Tuesday afternoon’s practice resting the calf injury he sustained in No. 11 Wisconsin’s (10-2 Big Ten, 21-4) victory over Penn State last month.

Nigel Hayes' 13 points weren't enough as the Badgers fell to the Wildcats at the Kohl Center.

BASKETBALL

Northwestern snaps Badgers' 19-game home winning streak

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 12, 2017

Over the past month, the No.7 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2 Big Ten, 21-4 overall) have grown numb to their poor offensive performances, surviving close game after close game. But Sunday, the anesthesia wore off, as yet another poor offensive performance finally did the Badgers in.

BASKETBALL

Exhausted Badgers welcome Wildcats after third overtime game of the year

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 11, 2017

Vitto Brown didn’t go to bed until 3:30 a.m. Thursday night. Hours earlier, No. 7 Wisconsin (10-1 Big Ten, 21-3 overall) had sneaked by Nebraska in a hard-fought overtime victory.

Cayla McMorris and the rest of her senior class look to take advantage of their final shot at a postseason run Wednesday against Northwestern.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Fredrickson pushes Badgers to Tsipis' first career Big Ten win

By Isaiah De los Santos | Feb. 10, 2017

Head coach Jonathan Tsipis says he doesn't count losses, even as the Badgers’ losing streak was pushed to 10 last week.

BASKETBALL

Wisconsin escapes Lincoln with overtime victory

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 10, 2017

The No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers didn’t do much right Thursday night. Sure they led for almost 37 minutes, but Wisconsin looked like they were running on frozen Lake Mendota, continuously slipping, unable to run away from an inferior foe.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Shaw staying positive despite tough senior season in Madison

By Cal Larsen | Feb. 9, 2017

In what has become a long, challenging season for the Wisconsin women’s basketball team, redshirt senior forward Kendall Shaw is just grateful she has been able to come in and make an impact. “It definitely means the world to me,” Shaw said.

BASKETBALL

Badgers head to Lincoln looking to avoid upset at hands of quick Nebraska squad

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 8, 2017

A year ago, just a week before the NCAA Tournament tipped off, the Badgers’ hopes of any sort of Big Ten title were dashed by a Nebraska team that finished the regular season 14-17.

COLUMNS

Wednesday Word: Social media allows Moesch, Ferris to build following despite limited on-court action

By Jake Nisse | Feb. 8, 2017

When the Badgers travel to Lincoln, Neb., this Thursday to face the Cornhuskers, Ethan Happ will take center stage on national television.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Mitchell's big night pushes UW losing streak to ten

By Cal Larsen | Feb. 5, 2017

On Jan. 19, the Badgers (0-10 Big Ten, 5-18 overall) marched into Columbus to face off against then-No. 16 Ohio State (11-1, 21-5) and escaped with a just a 9-point loss.

BASKETBALL

Happ, Hayes lead Badgers in tight win over Indiana

By Ben Pickman | Feb. 5, 2017

Redshirt sophomore Ethan Happ’s breakaway slam with just over three minutes to play in No. 10 Wisconsin’s (9-1 Big Ten, 20-3 overall) 65-60 victory over Indiana (5-6, 15-9) was just about the only highlight that the Badgers had Sunday afternoon.

BASKETBALL

Badgers return home, host Hoosiers in rematch

By Thomas Valtin-Erwin | Feb. 4, 2017

After a nearly two-week break from playing in front of a home crowd, the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers (8-1 Big Ten, 19-3 overall) return to the Kohl Center to welcome an Indiana (5-5, 15-8) team that has fallen well short of expectations this season. Though the Badgers enjoyed their trip to Madison Square Garden, there’s no hiding that they are ready to be back in front of the Madison faithful this weekend.