Badgers Look to Reset Against Villanova in Milwaukee Hoops Showdown
The Wisconsin Badgers are heading into a critical stretch of their non-conference schedule, and the timing couldn’t be more important. After a disappointing loss to Nebraska, Wisconsin has a chance to regroup - but it won’t come easy. Up next: a neutral-site clash with Villanova as part of the Milwaukee Hoops Showdown at Fiserv Forum.
At 7-3 on the season, the Badgers have shown flashes of their potential, but the three losses - to BYU, TCU, and Nebraska - have followed a troubling pattern. In each of those games, Wisconsin lost by double digits, and the issues weren’t hard to spot: inconsistent defense, poor shot selection, and a lack of mental toughness in key moments. That’s a recipe for trouble, especially with a Big Ten schedule looming that includes Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, and UCLA.
Before diving back into conference play, Wisconsin has three non-conference games to tighten things up. These matchups aren’t just about adding wins to the resume - they’re about fixing what’s broken. And Villanova, sitting at 8-2, will be a tough test right out of the gate.
Villanova Brings Firepower - and a Few Weak Spots
Villanova rolls into Milwaukee with wins over Penn, Pittsburgh, and Temple, and a narrow 71-66 loss to BYU. But their most recent outing was a humbling 89-61 defeat at the hands of Michigan - a result that should catch Wisconsin’s attention.
The Wildcats are led by guard Bryce Lindsay, who’s been lights-out from deep. He’s averaging 17.2 points per game and hitting nearly 46% of his three-point attempts.
That’s not a fluke - last season, he knocked down over 40% from beyond the arc on a high volume. Lindsay, who’s previously suited up for Texas A&M and James Madison, is the engine of this offense.
If you don’t close out on him hard and early, he’ll make you pay.
Next to Lindsay is freshman Acaden Lewis, a slashing guard who’s shown promise but has been streaky. He’s averaging 12.4 points per game and has started every game this season, but he’s shooting just 23.3% from three. Lewis is most dangerous when he’s attacking downhill - if you force him to settle for jumpers, his efficiency drops off a cliff.
Inside, Villanova leans on Duke Brennan, a physical forward who’s doing serious work on the glass. Brennan is averaging a double-double - 12.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game - and already has both a 20-point and a 20-rebound game under his belt this season. He’s the kind of player who can tilt a game with second-chance points and paint presence alone.
And then there’s Devin Askew, a well-traveled guard who’s played for Kentucky, Texas, Cal, and Long Beach State. Askew brings veteran savvy and shooting range, and he’s proven he can knock down threes at every stop.
Wisconsin’s Defensive Test - and the Blueprint to Beat Villanova
If there’s one thing that’s plagued Wisconsin in its losses, it’s defense. The Badgers are giving up 75.4 points per game and have struggled to defend the perimeter - opponents have hit 48.5% from three in Wisconsin’s three losses.
In those games, the Badgers also racked up 58 personal fouls and gave up 33 made threes. That’s a problem, especially against a team like Villanova that can stretch the floor.
So how does Wisconsin flip the script?
It starts with slowing down Bryce Lindsay. In Villanova’s two losses, Lindsay’s impact was either muted or inefficient.
Against BYU, he scored 22, but the rest of the team struggled - only one other player hit double digits, and the Wildcats managed just 66 points. Against Michigan, Lindsay played only 19 minutes and scored just three points.
The result? A 28-point loss.
If Wisconsin can make life tough for Lindsay - deny him clean looks, force him into tough shots, and limit his touches - it changes the entire dynamic of Villanova’s offense.
The next key is containing Duke Brennan. He’s not just a rebounder - he’s the interior anchor that Lindsay and the guards rely on to finish plays.
Without Brennan operating effectively in the paint, Villanova’s offense loses its balance. In the two losses, Brennan had a combined 13 points, 21 rebounds, and four turnovers - solid rebounding numbers, but not enough offensive impact to carry the team.
And finally, keeping Acaden Lewis out of the lane is crucial. He’s made just seven of his 30 three-point attempts this season, so the game plan is clear: wall him off, force him to shoot from distance, and live with the results.
Opportunity for the Badgers - But It’ll Take Focus
This isn’t just another non-conference game. It’s a litmus test for where Wisconsin stands heading into a brutal Big Ten slate. The Badgers have the talent to compete - but they need to clean up the defensive breakdowns, sharpen their shot selection, and show the kind of mental edge that’s been missing in losses.
Villanova will test all of that. They’ve got shooters, size, and experience. But they’ve also shown they can be beaten when you take away their top options and force them into uncomfortable spots.
For Wisconsin, it’s not about being perfect - it’s about being disciplined. Defend the arc, own the paint, and make Villanova earn every bucket. Do that, and the Badgers could walk out of Fiserv Forum with a win that gets this season back on track.