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For nine years, the men's basketball programs of the Big Ten and ACC conferences have faced one another in an early season challenge. Tomorrow, the Wisconsin women's basketball team will face off against Virginia (4-3) in the first-ever Women's Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The Badgers (2-2) will play on the road for the fourth time in five games, their last road game before a five-game home stretch.

Entering Friday's matchup in Charleston, Va., Wisconsin will face a vengeful Cavalier squad. Last year, Wisconsin beat Virginia 84-78 to advance to the semifinals of the WNIT tournament.

UW head coach Lisa Stone feels the tournament is long overdue and is looking forward to the meeting of two of the nation's top conferences.

"The game is a big-time game and a game that we're real excited about," Stone said. "[Virginia is] playing at home, they're very good and they're very talented."

Talent alone will not be enough to win for either team. Wisconsin will need to harness the most out of each of the players, from starters to reserves.

The UW bench’s strength has been measured by the performances of the team’s freshmen, most recently being forward Lin Zastrow. Emerging from her strong exhibition play, Zastrow scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Ole Miss, both career highs.

"It is hard for a post player, getting used to the physicality of Division I basketball, and for Lin, she's very capable," Stone said. "She's an unbelievable talent."

Fellow freshman Alyssa Karel has seen a few early struggles, notching seven turnovers against Marquette earlier this season. Stone feels there may be other factors besides youth and inexperience contributing to Karel's early play.

"You throw [Karel] into the fire against a returning Wyoming team and they're going to pressure you," Stone said. "Against Ole Miss, they sent five [defenders] at her, and it was good for her to experience that, but you don't want to be in that position too often."

The Badgers posted an impressive performance against Ole Miss following a tough overtime loss to Wyoming. Aiming to prove their resilience, Wisconsin will enter hostile ACC territory, a unique experience in itself.

"There are stereotypes of the Big Ten on the women's side for being more high-low, more banging, more physical and a slower game," Stone said. "The ACC [is known for] being a little quicker, more athletic."

The quicker-paced, high-sprung offense of the ACC versus the slower and tougher Big Ten is a matchup stereotype that the players seem to disregard, even supporting the opposite idea.

"Post defense is probably the most important part of the game against Virginia," Zastrow said. "If we can stop them in the post then I think we'll have a shot at winning the game."

Team defense, something Stone has been emphasizing all season, will be put to the test against a veteran Virginia squad. Stone noted the strength of several key returning Cavaliers from last year’s WNIT team.

"[Sharneé] Zoll, [Lyndra] Littles and [Monica] Wright are three players from last year's game with us," Stone said. "They are very, very athletic to the basket and can score inside and out."

The Badgers have not played since last Saturday, allowing the team a full week of practice to focus on Virginia.

"We need to take care of business, both demonstrated athleticism and fundamental skill, as well as playing defense because [Virginia] is going to be," Stone said. "We have to make sure we control some of the things that we can control and do what we do."