Preview: Northern Illinois at No. 24 Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — Coming off a 96-64 win over Campbell in their season opener, No. 24 Wisconsin (1-0) returns to the hardwood to host Northern Illinois (1-0) on Friday. Despite being separated by just 100 miles, the Badgers and Huskies are meeting for the first time in 23 years…
GAME INFO
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: Kohl Center (Madison, Wis.)
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: Big Ten Network+
TV Crew: Cory Provus, Jordan Taylor
Series History: Wisconsin leads 12-2
Last Meeting: Wisconsin won 84-56 in 2002.
Line: Wisconsin – 27.5
NUMBERS TO KNOW
2: Wisconsin looks to start the season 2-0 for the fifth time in six seasons.
9: The Badgers are 9-0 against the Huskies in Madison.
12: Wisconsin owns a 12-2 edge over NIU in the all-time series.
15: Friday marks the 15th all-time meeting between NIU and UW.
1999: The Huskies last defeated a Big Ten program in 1999 (Wisconsin).
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
G Gianni Cobb (6-0 So.) – 14.0 ppg, 10.0 apg
G Makhai Valentine (6-3 So.) – 16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg
G Taj Walters (6-5 Fr.) – 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg
G Daemar Kelly (6-5 Jr.) – 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
F Gustav Winther (6-10 Fr.) – 18.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg
WISCONSIN
G Nick Boyd (6-2 Sr.) – 21.0 ppg, 4.0 apg
G John Blackwell (6-4 Jr.) – 31.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
G Andrew Rohde (6-5 Sr.) – 5.0 ppg, 4.0 apg
F Austin Rapp (6-10 So.) – 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
F Nolan Winter (7-0 Jr.) – 17.0 ppg 12.0 rpg
WHAT TO WATCH
Can Wisconsin build off its strong defensive performance in the final eight minutes against Campbell?
We know the Badgers can score the basketball. That’s not in question. But can UW start putting together a solid 40 minutes of basketball on the defensive end before that showdown against BYU in two weeks?
Prior to UW’s 29-2 run to close the game, the Camels were shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor. The Badgers eventually clamped down, holding Campbell without a made field goal in the last 10:34. The Camels would also score just two points over the final 8:38.
On Friday, Wisconsin faces a Northern Illinois squad who scored 101 points in their season opener.
PREDICTION
As much as Wisconsin is trying to find continuity, Northern Illinois has one of the newest rosters in all of college basketball. The Huskies have a whopping 16 new faces this season and did not return a single player from their 2024-25 squad. NIU has seven transfers from the Division 1 level and seven freshmen, three of whom hail from overseas.
Could be a track meet on Friday. Wisconsin had 72 possessions in their season opener. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois had 76 against Lousiana-Monroe. Two rosters that are also breaking in a ton of new players, defense could be at a premium.
As a mid-major, getting a track meet isn’t the way to beat this Wisconsin team. The Huskies gave up 82 points to a ULM squad that ranks No. 358 in KenPom. At one point, the Warhawks led the game by 11 as well.
Not expecting great defensive numbers by the Badgers, but they’ll shut off the water when needed. Much differnet NIU team that went 6-25 last season, but you don’t change a culture overnight. The Huskies have still lost 17 of their last 20 games dating back to 2024-25.
Wisconsin 101 Campbell Northern Illinois 75
