Non-conference schedule figures to be loaded with elite opponents for Badgers

VandeWettering said he anticipates UW will play on the road in the Gavitt Tipoff Games, which features an opponent from the Big East Conference, and at home in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. But those home/road assignments could be reversed.

The Gavitt pairing is expected to be announced first, with VandeWettering saying it could happen “relatively soon.” The Challenge matchups are typically announced after the early entrant withdrawal deadline for the NBA draft passes, but that process has been postponed due to the pandemic. At some point, the ACC and Big Ten, along with ESPN, will have to move forward with the release of the matchups so schools can proceed with their non-conference schedules.

UW is the second-highest ranked Big Ten team by both ESPN and CBS behind Iowa, which is No. 5 in both polls. Michigan State is No. 10 in both polls, while Ohio State (22, 16), Indiana (23, 23) and Rutgers (25, 20) are the other Big Ten teams ranked.

Potential Big East opponents include Villanova, which is ranked No. 2 by ESPN and No. 3 by CBS; and Creighton (12, 8).

Meanwhile, highly ranked ACC teams include Virginia (4, 4), Duke (8, 7), North Carolina (14, 15) and Florida State (24, 25).

One enticing scenario is UW playing at Villanova in the Gavitt event and hosting Duke or North Carolina in the Challenge. Virginia, which has played two consecutive road games in the Challenge, is an unlikely matchup unless the Badgers are sent on the road for that event.