The Wisconsin women’s basketball team opens its 50th season against Milwaukee Nov. 7 at the Kohl Center. Coming into the 2023-24 season, the Badgers are looking to build off the success of last year, a season in which Wisconsin finished 11-20 overall and won the most conference games (six) since the 2010-11 season.
“We feel like often times year three is the year where you’re trying to make a turn and that’s what we’re excited to do,” Badgers head coach Marisa Moseley said during a media day conference Oct. 4.
Entering Moseley’s third year as head coach, Wisconsin is looking to improve on the foundation of last year’s success and compete in a Big Ten Conference which saw eight teams play in the postseason, seven of which in the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin’s 29-game regular season schedule includes 15 home games, including nine Big Ten matchups at the Kohl Center. Before the Badgers officially tip off their season against Milwaukee Nov. 7, here is everything you need to know about this year’s squad.
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New, young squad to highlight Moseley’s third year as head coach
Wisconsin will play this season with a relatively inexperienced squad of both players and coaching staff. Of the 14 rostered players on this year’s team, 10 players are listed as underclassmen. The Badgers will debut five freshmen as well as an overhauled assistant coaching staff in 2023-24.
“We graduated a good amount of points and experience,” Moseley told reporters during a media conference.
Wisconsin returns two of five starters from last year’s squad, including sophomore forward Serah Williams. In her freshman campaign, the Big Ten all-freshman team selection finished second in the conference averaging 1.9 blocks per game. The New York native led Wisconsin in rebounds and finished second on the team in scoring — with 5.4 rebounds and 12.7 points per game.
Moseley will rely on the experience of seniors Brooke Schramek, Halle Douglass and Natalie Leuzinger during the 2023-24 season. Schramek is one of two returning starters from last year’s team, starting in all 31 games for an average of 30 minutes per game last season.
The two-year starter amassed 10.4 points per game last year and leads all-returners in assists and free throw percentage – with 2.7 APG and an 85.2% success rate.
Douglass returns to Madison this year after missing part of the last two seasons due to injuries. The Illinois native started in the first five games of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing 28 rebounds before going down with a season-ending ACL injury.
Leuzinger’s role has increased since joining the Badger’s squad — last year she played in 25 games off the bench averaging 9.8 minutes per game.
Badgers trip to Italy during the summer prepares team for 2023-24 season
The Badgers had a unique start to the preseason as the team traveled to Italy this August for a cultural and competitive experience. Following a seven-week training session in the summer, the team visited Rome, Florence and Venice and played three games during the 10-day trip.
In a statement released prior to the trip, Moseley was excited for her team to explore the cultural history of Italy while competing in the preseason.
“I am confident this experience will allow our team to bond on and off the court for the upcoming season,” Moseley said.
It was the team’s first experience playing together this season, as all 14 players traveled to Europe to participate in the three games.
During the tour, the Badgers saw highlight performances from Schramek, D’Yanis Jimenez, Ronnie Porter, Lily Krahn and Imbie Jones.
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50 years of Wisconsin women’s basketball
The 2023-24 season is of special importance as it marks the 50th season of Wisconsin women’s basketball. The Badgers will highlight the program’s history and legacy with a 50th season logo, as well as honorary captains and featured events throughout the year.
Games of Note
Oct. 29, the Badgers detonated against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 84–64, in the team’s first taste of the Kohl Center atmosphere. Williams dropped 30 points and snared five boards in the exhibition match while sophomore Porter accounted for 18 tallies and eight helpers.
Nov. 7, UW opens its season vs. Milwaukee. The cardinal and white last played the Panthers Nov. 7, 2022, at the Klotsche Center and escaped with a 58–49 victory.
Nov. 24 and 25, the Badgers play in the Fort Myers Tip-Off against Arkansas and Marquette/Boston College at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
UW opens its conference slate on Dec. 10 with a matchup against phenom Caitlin Clark and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. The future WNBA superstar torched UW with 24 points, six rebounds and eight dimes Feb. 15, 2023, so Moseley and company will allocate all of UW’s resources to quelling her offensive arsenal.
Jan. 23 (home) and Feb. 20 (away), UW will play in its border battle matchups vs. Minnesota.
March 3, Wisconsin will wrap its regular season vs. Michigan State before the Big Ten Tournament Mar. 6 to Mar. 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
