Honestly, trying to keep track of the uw madison basketball schedule this year feels like a full-time job. With the Big Ten expanding and the television deals scattering games across five different streaming services and networks, you basically need a PhD in logistics just to know when tip-off is.
The Kohl Center is still the heart of it all. But the rhythm has changed.
🔗 Read more: College Football Predictions This Week: Why the Indiana-Miami Matchup is Baffling Experts
If you're a die-hard Badger fan, you've probably noticed that the "standard" Thursday/Sunday game cadence is pretty much dead. We're seeing more Tuesday night grinds and Saturday matinees than ever before. It's a lot.
The Gauntlet Ahead: Breaking Down the Men's Schedule
Greg Gard’s squad has a slate that looks like a vertical mountain climb. We are currently deep into the Big Ten grind, and the upcoming stretch is where seasons are made or broken.
Take a look at the immediate horizon for the men’s team:
- January 22: A tough road trip to Penn State (6 PM on FS1).
- January 25: Back home for the "White Out" against USC (3 PM on Peacock).
- January 28: The Border Battle part two against Minnesota (8 PM on BTN).
- January 31: A huge Saturday clash with Ohio State (1 PM).
That USC game is particularly weird, right? Seeing a traditional Pac-12 power coming to Madison for a conference game in January still feels wrong. But that’s the new reality. If you're planning to go, the USC game is already listed as "almost gone" on the official ticket site, so don't wait.
Why February is the Real Test
If the Badgers survive January, February is even more brutal. They hit the road for three out of four games in the middle of the month.
They head to Bloomington to face Indiana on February 7, then straight to Illinois on February 10. There's a brief reprieve at home against Michigan State on February 13, but then it's back on a plane to Columbus on February 17.
The travel miles are racking up. By the time they fly to Eugene to play Oregon on February 25, these guys are going to be living out of suitcases.
Don't Sleep on the Women's Schedule
Marisa Moseley has the women’s program playing some of its most inspired basketball in years. If you haven't been to a game lately, you're missing out. The atmosphere at the Kohl Center for the women’s games has been electric, especially during the recent win over Penn State.
Upcoming games you should definitely circle:
- January 21: Hosting Nebraska (6:30 PM).
- January 25: A massive road test at Minnesota (2 PM).
- January 29: Heading to Columbus for Ohio State (7 PM on BTN).
The Sunday, February 15 game against Minnesota is "Wisconsin Day" and "Alumni Day." It's going to be a madhouse. Seriously. If you want to see a high-level tactical battle, watch how Moseley handles the late-season trip to Los Angeles to face USC (February 19) and UCLA (February 22). That West Coast swing is basically a pro-level road trip.
How to Actually Watch These Games
This is where everyone gets frustrated. You can't just flip on Channel 27 and expect to find the game anymore.
The Men’s side is split between FOX, FS1, BTN, CBS, and Peacock. Yes, Peacock. You’re going to need that subscription for the USC game on the 25th.
The Women’s side lives heavily on B1G+, which is a separate subscription from the standard Big Ten Network you get on cable. However, big matchups like the Oregon game (January 18) and the Minnesota game (February 15) do get the main BTN treatment.
Ticket Hacks for the Kohl Center
Look, the "sold out" sign is appearing more often these days. But here’s the reality:
- The Student Section (Area 51): If the students are on break, those seats sometimes trickle out, but don't count on it.
- SeatGeek: It’s the official secondary market. If you’re looking for the Michigan State or Ohio State games, which are technically sold out, this is your only safe bet.
- The "Almost Gone" Category: The UW ticket office actually labels games that are about to sell out. Currently, the Maryland game (March 4) and the Iowa game (February 22) are in the "get them now or regret it" phase.
The Big Ten Tournament Change
Most fans don't realize how much the tournament has shifted. The 2026 Men’s Big Ten Tournament is heading to the United Center in Chicago from March 10-15.
Because there are now 18 teams in the conference, the tournament is longer and more chaotic. The bottom four seeds (15 through 18) have to play an opening round on Tuesday. If the Badgers find themselves in that mix, it’s a five-day gauntlet to the championship. Nobody wants that. Finishing in the top ten is more critical than ever just to avoid that Tuesday "death match."
What to Do Right Now
If you are planning to attend any games for the remainder of the season, check your Peacock and B1G+ logins today. There is nothing worse than realizing five minutes before tip-off that your subscription expired.
Also, if you're eyeing that Senior Day game against Iowa on March 1, buy those tickets this week. Prices on the secondary market usually spike once we hit mid-February and the "bubble watch" drama starts to heat up.
Keep an eye on the official uwbadgers.com schedule page for any last-minute time changes—TV networks love to flex games with only a week's notice.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Verify your streaming subscriptions for Peacock and B1G+.
- Secure tickets for the Maryland (March 4) or Iowa (Feb 22) home games before they move from "Almost Gone" to "Sold Out."
- Download the official Badger Sports app to get real-time score alerts and schedule shifts.