The Wisconsin Badgers tipped off their 2025–26 season with a 69–53 exhibition win over UW-Platteville at the Kohl Center on Sunday. While the score favored Wisconsin, the performance offered a mix of promise and polish—some strong individual efforts, a sluggish start, and a reminder that there’s still work to do before the regular season begins.
Here’s what we learned from the win on Wednesday.
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Nolan Winter Controls the Paint
Sophomore forward Nolan Winter was the standout performer, recording 17 points and 15 rebounds in a dominant showing. Winter started the game off by missing a couple of layups and getting blocked, but was able to tighten up as the game progressed. Winter’s activity gave the Badgers stability when their offense sputtered, and his rebounding presence helped create crucial second-chance opportunities. If he continues to play with this level of confidence, Winter could become a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s frontcourt rotation this season.
A Slow Start, but a Strong Finish
The first half was rough. Wisconsin came out flat, falling behind 7–0 in the opening minutes as their shots clanged off the rim and defensive rotations lagged. But as the game wore on, the Badgers found their footing. Midway through the second half, they strung together a 14–0 run, finally separating themselves from the Pioneers and putting the game away. That surge was powered by defense—UW held Platteville to just eight points in the final nine minutes, forcing turnovers and cleaning up the boards. The late push showed resilience and composure, traits that will be vital when the Badgers face tougher Big Ten competition.
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Shooting Struggles Continue
Even with the win, Wisconsin’s offensive inconsistency was hard to ignore. The Badgers shot just 6-of-25 from three-point range and 9-of-19 from the free-throw line—numbers that won’t fly in conference play. Spacing and rhythm were issues early, and while the ball movement improved late, converting open looks remains a concern. The good news: the defense looked solid, and the team’s chemistry is starting to gel.
All in all, it was a classic exhibition performance—flashes of potential, a few glaring weaknesses, and plenty of tape for Greg Gard’s staff to review. The Badgers will look to tighten things up before their season opener against Campbell next week.
