Wisconsin's men's basketball program has locked in a non‑conference contest with Colorado State, slated for the final day of 2026 at the iconic Kohl Center. The game will serve as an early‑season measuring stick for the Badgers as they prepare for Big Ten play.
Colorado State's Roller‑Coaster Year
The Rams finished the 2025‑26 campaign with a 21‑13 record, securing seventh place in the Mountain West and earning a spot in the National Invitation Tournament. Their run in the NIT ended quickly, but the team demonstrated resilience by rattling off eight consecutive victories from early February through early March, a stretch that kept their postseason hopes alive.
Colorado State opened the previous season strongly, launching with a 9‑2 start before stumbling against Utah State and Nevada. Those losses sparked a period of inconsistency, yet the late‑season surge suggested the squad could be dangerous when clicking.
A Familiar Early‑Season Battle
The upcoming meeting will mark the second straight year that Wisconsin has faced a non‑conference opponent on Dec. 30, having previously downed UW‑Milwaukee 80‑60 on the same date. That early‑season win gave the Badgers momentum, and the new matchup promises a similar opportunity to fine‑tune before conference play.
For Colorado State, the game represents a chance to test themselves against a Big Ten powerhouse and to showcase the progress made under head coach Greg Gard's defensive schemes. The Rams will look to translate their late‑season momentum into a strong opening against Wisconsin, while the Badgers will aim to sharpen their own roster ahead of a demanding conference slate.