Wisconsin to Face Denver in Season Opener November 2

The Badgers begin their campaign at home against Denver, a new addition to the West Coast Conference.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball

Wisconsin to Face Denver in Season Opener November 2

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Wisconsin will host Denver on November 2 in the teams' regular-season basketball opener. The Badgers look to move forward following a 24-11 record last season.

Why it matters

Wisconsin enters the season needing to replace key backcourt production from last year. Meanwhile, Denver begins its first season as a member of the West Coast Conference after moving from the Summit League.

Wisconsin finished the previous season with a 24-11 record, while Denver recorded a 15-17 finish. Denver's roster features Carson Johnson, who averaged 20.1 points per game last season with a 41.4% three-point shooting percentage.

The players

Wisconsin

The Badgers are a collegiate basketball program coming off a 24-11 season that ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Denver

The Pioneers are a collegiate basketball program entering their first season as a member of the West Coast Conference.

Braeden Carrington

The player received an injunction on October 23 allowing for an extra year of eligibility for the upcoming season.

Carson Johnson

The Denver player is a key offensive contributor who averaged 20.1 points per game last season.

The details

Wisconsin has revamped its roster by adding newcomers Owen Foxwell, Trey Autry, Eian Elmer, and Victory Onuetu, while Braeden Carrington received an injunction for an extra year of eligibility on October 23. Denver has also undergone significant changes, integrating 12 new players through the transfer portal as they prepare to transition into the West Coast Conference.

October 23, 2026: Braeden Carrington received an injunction for an extra year of eligibility.
October 27, 2026: Wisconsin plays an exhibition game against Oklahoma State.
November 2, 2026: Wisconsin plays its season opener against Denver in Madison.

Season Trajectory

Denver joining the West Coast Conference marks a significant shift in the competitive hierarchy of the league, where they are currently expected to finish last in the preseason poll. This opener provides an early test for both the rebuilding Badgers and a Denver squad navigating a new conference environment.

Wisconsin must successfully integrate new roster additions to offset the loss of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who previously anchored the backcourt. Denver enters the match with 12 new players, making early-season chemistry a primary factor for the visiting squad.

The takeaway

The game marks the beginning of a fresh campaign where roster depth will be tested for both programs. Fans should monitor how quickly the newly expanded Denver roster and the reshuffled Wisconsin lineup find their rhythm in non-conference play.