5 THINGS TO WATCH FRIDAY • 7 PM • BTN Big start to the Big Ten
The Badgers open the Big Ten season when they host Ohio State at the Kohl Center on Friday. The No. 9-ranked and undefeated Buckeyes will present a tough test for the Badgers, who nearly pulled off the upset against No. 18 Green Bay last Friday. Wisconsin will look to knock off the conference's last undefeated team live on BTN.
SATURDAY • 12 PM • BTN
Defense the name of the game The men's basketball team began Big Ten play Tuesday night in domi-
nating fashion with a 64-40 win at Nebraska. Wisconsin has held nine of its 14 opponents to 45 points or less and 12 opponents to their lowest scoring output of the season. The Badgers look to continue their suffocat- ing defensive ways when they host Iowa in the final game of 2011.
SATURDAY • 8 PM • InsideBadgerSports.com
Every New Year's party needs ice Wisconsin returns from winter break with an exhibition game against the
U.S. Under-18 team Saturday at the Kohl Center. With nearly a full month between games against college teams, head coach Mike Eaves and the Badgers host some of the country's best young skaters before ringing in the new year and the second half of their season.
MONDAY • 4:10 PM • ESPN Run for the Roses
The setting doesn't get any better than Pasadena, Calif., and the Rose Bowl. The Big Ten champion Badgers face Pac-12 champion Oregon in the "Granddaddy of Them All" on Monday. Wisconsin makes its second- straight appearance in Pasadena against an Oregon team that fell to Auburn in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.
TUESDAY • 6 PM • ESPN2
Sparty looks to spoil the party After hosting Iowa on Saturday, the men's basketball team will have just two days to prepare for the No. 16 team in the country, as Michigan State comes to the Kohl Center on Tuesday. One the Big Ten's best rivalries will be renewed as Wisconsin's stifling defense faces one of its toughest tests of the year.
16 » VARSITY DECEMBER 29, 2011
