Badgers Women’s Basketball releases 2015-16 non-conference schedule

Wisconsin is coming off yet another disappointing season in 2014-15, going just 9-20 overall and winning just five Big Ten games. That hasn’t stopped head coach Bobbie Kelsey from trying to challenge her team, especially with the NCAA granting star forward Michala Johnson an extra year of eligibility.

“Our non-conference schedule will afford us the opportunity to play quality teams, including some that participated in the NCAA tournament this past season,” Kelsey said in a statement released by the school. “We are also looking forward to continuing our series with in-state rivals Marquette and UW-Green Bay. Playing each of these teams always adds to the excitement of preparing for a successful regular season and ultimately postseason play.”

On Wednesday, the Badgers women’s basketball program announced their 2015-6 non-conference schedule. Three teams that played in the postseason last year are amongst the teams UW will play this upcoming season.

Wisconsin’s biggest matchup comes as it takes on a Dayton Flyers team that ranked No. 17 at the end of the season. The Flyers finished the season 28-7, appearing in the first-ever Sweet 16 in program history along the way.

The other two teams who made postseason play include in-state rival Wisconsin-Green Bay, who also made it to the NCAA tournament last season, and Drake, who was bounced in the first round of the WNIT.

Once again, the Badgers will play two exhibition games in preparation for the season. UW will take on Minnesota State on Nov. 8 and UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 12.

Wisconsin’s regular season will open at home, with the Badgers playing host to Louisiana Tech for the first time in program history. The Lady Techsters own a 1-0 series advantage, winning a home contest with the Badgers way back in the mid-1980’s.

The Badgers will also take on in-state rivals Marquette (Dec. 6) and participate in the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. UW’s matchup in that game is still to be released at this time.

Beyond that, there are visits from Drake, Florida, Green Bay and Northern Illinois.

Interestingly, the Badgers won’t take on the last of the state’s division one programs, Milwaukee, for the second straight season. Instead, Wisconsin appears to look to travel to another tournament-like setting.

This season Wisconsin will play at San Diego State (Nov. 27) and take on Delaware in San Diego just two days later.

Here is the full non-conference schedule:

*game times and broadcast information will come at a later time.