Wisconsin Basketball Beefs Up 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Unlike college football, where wins are more important than strength of schedule to get into the College Football Playoff (see the 2024 Indiana Hoosiers), college basketball programs depend on scheduling games against quality opponents. Playing the top teams in the country is hugely beneficial in boosting a team’s tournament resume. The Wisconsin basketball team is a prime example of this.
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In just the past couple of weeks, the Badgers have announced upcoming games against some high-level non-conference programs.
First, CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein reported that the Badgers would face off with BYU, the team that eliminated them from the 2025 NCAA Tournament, in November in Salt Lake City, giving the Badgers a rematch and a chance at some redemption against the Cougars.
Next, although it’s just an exhibition game that won’t count towards the season standings or stats, the Badgers are taking on Oklahoma in Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum in October. You don’t normally see an exhibition game against an opponent at this level to start the season. A quality opponent like the Sooners in an exhibition game is another chance for the Badgers to gear up for their 2025 season.
Finally, Jon Rothstein is again reporting that the Badgers have scheduled another series, this time against Villanova. The Badgers will host the Wildcats this season at Fiserv Forum in December. Then they will play them again the following season at Wells Fargo Center in the 2026-27 season.
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Villanova hasn’t been the powerhouse program it once was since head coach Jay Wright left, but it is looking to turn things around under a new head coach, the Badgers are familiar with: Kevin Willard. Willard was most recently the head coach of Maryland, but left the Terps for Nova after they were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in March.
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin basketball program have been aggressive in beefing up their non-conference schedule heading into the 2025-26 season to pair with the already ultra-competitive Big Ten schedule.
There’s no question that the Badgers should be battle-tested heading into tournament play at the end of next season.
Related: Big Ten Reveals Men’s Basketball Matchups for 2025-26 Season
Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers football and men’s basketball by visiting AllBadgers.com for more updates.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
