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Wisconsin Basketball: Loyola and Louisville added to schedule

By Christian Borman

Dec 9, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard talks with his team during a huddle during the game with the Rhode Island Rams at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard talks with his team during a huddle during the game with the Rhode Island Rams at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin basketball team has scheduled games with Loyola and Louisville (again).

After a weird couple of weeks schedule-wise, the Wisconsin basketball team has two new dates for games. Their game against Louisville was scheduled for December 9 as a part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but it was postponed after the Cardinals had multiple positive tests within the program, leading to the postponement.

It seems the Cardinals have gotten their outbreak under control, so the Wisconsin basketball team will sneak a game in this Saturday at 11:00 AM CT, just two days before the Badgers will open their conference schedule against Nebraska. Head coach Greg Gard said the Nebraska game could be moved back a day to help with this, but nothing has been confirmed.

This game was big for Wisconsin to get back on the schedule. At the time the Cardinals hit pause on their activities, they were ranked #25 in the AP Poll. A game against a ranked ACC opponent would be a big resume booster come Selection Sunday. The Big Ten schedule will also be pretty tough for the Badgers, so a game against Louisville will better prepare them for the upcoming challenges.

Before the Badgers take on Louisville, they will face Loyola on Tuesday night. The Wisconsin basketball team was slated to take on Northern Iowa, a team I thought would give the Badgers a tough game. Unfortunately, the Panthers were also hit hard by the virus, so they have shut down their activities for the time being, leaving Wisconsin without an opponent this week.

Luckily, Wisconsin was able to schedule a game with Loyola (Chicago). The Ramblers made the Final Four just a couple of years ago, on that magical run in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Now, the Ramblers have started their season 3-0 and should be a quality opponent for the Badgers, especially as a last-second matchup.

Loyola and Louisville will be the final non-conference games for the Wisconsin basketball team before they start their conference schedule next week when they host Nebraska at the Kohl Center next Monday on December 21.

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