Basketball

Badgers to Face Villanova in Philadelphia as Part of 2026 Basketball Schedule

The non‑conference matchup continues a series that began with an overtime win for the Wildcats, and the Badgers’ broader slate includes games at Marquette, Auburn and a Bahamas tournament.

Wisconsin’s men’s basketball team is set to travel to Philadelphia on December 12, 2026 to meet Villanova in a non‑conference showdown that forms the second half of a two‑game series.

A series that began in overtime

The first meeting of the series took place during the 2025‑26 season, where Villanova edged Wisconsin in overtime, a result that adds a narrative edge to the upcoming clash.

The game will be staged at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, a venue operated by Intersport, ensuring a professional production for the matchup.

Broader non‑conference slate

Beyond the Villanova contest, the Badgers have lined up additional non‑conference fixtures, including a December 5 road game at Marquette, a December 19 home game against Auburn in Nashville, and an October 15 exhibition in Green Bay coached by Doug Gottlieb. CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein has also reported that Wisconsin will participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship in the Bahamas.

Villanova’s 2025‑26 season in review

Villanova finished the 2025‑26 campaign with a 24‑9 overall record and a 15‑5 mark in Big East play, earning the No. 8 seed in the NCAA tournament before falling to Utah State in the first round.

Off‑court developments

The university’s public records office has denied an open‑records request for details of other men’s basketball game contracts, and officials have yet to respond to follow‑up inquiries regarding the denial.

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