How To Watch, Game Preview and Game Thread: UCLA Bruins vs. #18/19 Wisconsin Badgers
The Bruins look to keep their win streak alive when they host the Badgers.
On Friday, the UCLA Bruins snapped their four-game losing streak by crushing Iowa, 94-70. Tonight, they will look to make it two in a row when UCLA hosts the #18/19 Wisconsin Badgers at Pauley.
The Badgers always seem to have a very good basketball team. Wisconsin has won seven straight games including an 84-69 win over Southern Cal on Saturday. This year, in addition to being ranked 18th in the AP Poll and 19th in the Coaches Poll, they are ranked 21st in KenPom’s rankings. By comparison, UCLA is ranked 31st by KenPom.
This is head coach Greg Gard’s tenth season at the helm for the Badgers and his 23rd season overall at Wisconsin. He took over the program following the abrupt resignation of Bo Ryan in December 2015 and he has led the team to the NCAA Tournament in all but three of his seasons.
This season has been a tale of three streaks for the Badgers. They began the season rattling off eight wins in a row including wins over Arizona, Central Florida and Pitt. Then, they hit a three-game skid when they played Michigan, Marquette and Illinois. Since snapping that losing streak with a win over Butler, Wisconsin has won seven straight including five straight conference games.
So, the Bruins will have their hands full tonight.
Wisconsin Starting Five
The Badgers are another team whose starting five are all averaging in double figures. They are led by grad guard John Tonje, who is averaging 17.2 ppg. Tonje joined the Badgers this season after starting his career at Colorado State. He spent last year at Missouri, but he only played in eight games before getting hurt and using a medical redshirt last season. Right behind Tonje is sophomore guard John Blackwell. The third starting guard for Wisconsin will be senior Max Klesmit. Klesmit is averaging 10.5 ppg and he leads the team in steals with 19 and assists with 50.
The two starting forwards will be sophomore Nolan Winter and grad student Steven Crowl. Winter averages 10.7 ppg while Crowl averages 10.4 ppg. These guys are one-two on the team in rebounds. Winter has the edge with 6.1 rpg while Crowl averages 5.5 rpg.
Analysis
Tonight’s game is going to be a tough one. The Bruins will need to bring their A game if they want to win tonight.
Listen to the Game With TMB
Today’s game will be streamed on Peacock with Ted Robinson and Darren Collison calling the action. So, you may not be able to watch tonight’s game. As usual, you can listen to Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray on the radio or online. To listen online, just right-click on the link below so that you can open up another tab and have it going while you chat in the comments below. Listen to today’s game online.
This is your UCLA men’s basketball vs. Wisconsin Badgers game thread. Here’s how to watch, listen and stream today’s game:
UCLA Men’s Basketball (12-6, 3-4)
Opponent: Wisconsin Badgers (15-3, 5-2)
Series Record: UCLA leads, 5-2
When: 6:30 pm PT, Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
TV: None
Live Stream: Peacock.com and the Peacock app
Radio/Audio
Local Radio: AM 570 with Josh Lewin and Tracy Murray
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Ch. 85 (UCLA feed)
Online: uclabruins.com
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast
Game Notes:
UCLA
Go Bruins!!!
Whoo! Thank you lucky roll!
The Gods are with us.