Wisconsin draws Milwaukee in final non-conference game of season

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th December, 08:32 2025

Dec 19, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) reaches for a rebound against Villanova Wildcats forward Matt Hodge (33) in the second half at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard wants more movement from the Badgers when they host Milwaukee in a non-conference game Tuesday night in Madison, Wis.

The Badgers (8-4) cruised to an 88-61 home win against Central Michigan on Dec. 22 behind 18 points apiece from Austin Rapp and Nolan Winter. The Wisconsin bench scored a season-high 44 points, and the Badgers had 25 assists on 29 made baskets.

While that's the type of unselfish play Gard wants, he also lauded crisp passing as something he wants to see more frequently.

"When we move the ball, we are hard to guard," Gard said. "When we don't move it, we become a lot easier (to guard)."

In his first action of the season, Zach Kinziger scored six points in 12 minutes of action for Wisconsin. Gard said he has seen the freshman adjust to the speed of the game and praised his ability to "play off two feet and be a bulldog defensively."

Even though backup guard Braeden Carrington missed the 76-66 overtime loss to Villanova on Dec. 19 and played only nine minutes against Central Michigan three days later, Gard said Kinziger wasn't getting time due to injuries, and that he'd earned his opportunity.

"He really got his feet underneath him, and he keeps getting better and better," Gard said. "He really gives us another dimension in the backcourt."

This will be the final non-conference game of the season for the Badgers.

Milwaukee (7-6) has won three straight games and will square off with the Badgers in a rare back-to-back situation. The Panthers cruised to a 77-55 home win against Purdue-Fort Wayne on Monday.

Aaron Franklin recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Milwaukee. Amar Augillard recorded 12 points, Chandler Jackson pitched in 11, and Sekou Konneh had 10 points and nine rebounds.

"I thought Aaron Franklin was unbelievable from the get go," Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy said. "He ... was great on the glass. He cut the corners and finished like a grown man at the hoop."

--Field Level Media