NFL
By: Melo Williams
Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball open the 26-27 season Monday night vs Denver at the Kohl Center.
The Matchup: Denver vs Wisconsin
Series History: Third matchup in history, Wisconsin lead 2-0. Last game, UW won 89-34 December 14, 1988.
Denver: The Pioneers open up the season in their first year in the West Coast Conference. Denver is 11-17 in season openers since turning D1 in the 1998-99 season.
Pioneers return two players from last year’s roster, G Carson Johnson (20.1 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.0 APG) and F Shaun Wysocki (7.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG).
HC Tim Bergstraser coached at UW River Falls. Also, Denver assistant coach Kyle Heikkinen coached at UW Whitewater.
Wisconsin: The Badgers are coming into the game after defeating Oklahoma State 82-65 ending the exhibition games series 3-0.
Owen Foxwell led the way with 19 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast. Eian Elmer finished with 11 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, Nolan Winter 10 Pts, 4 Reb, 3 Ast.
Game Notes:
•Wisconsin has won 27 of their last 28 home openers, including 10-straight.
Season Notes:
•Looking for Nolan Winter to make that leap with consistent dominant impact on both ends.
•Eian Elmer will have a breakout season overall and will be one of the best defenders in the country.
Q&A: Eian Elmer https://drive.google.com/file/d/18gTncx-boyTHrNiJz6ddKHiavoSOXmdA/view?usp=drivesdk
•Owen Foxwell vs Big Ten PGs
•Wisconsin bigs gives Badgers defense another layer of tight paint/rim protection.
•The elevation of Zach Kinziger as a playmaker.
•Badgers depth will be instrumental for success.
Projected Starters:
Nolan Winter
Austin Rapp
Eian Elmer
Jack Janicki
Owen Foxwell
Broadcast Info:
📍Kohl Center
📺: B1G+
📻: Badger Radio Network
