Preview: Badgers and Bulldogs

Game: Nov. 10, 2017, at the Kohl Center

Time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Matchup: South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0-0,0-0)

Watch: BTN2

Listen: Badger Sports Network

Game Promotion: Schedule Magnet Giveaway

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Bulldogs Pre-Game Notes:

The Bulldogs are coming off an 11-20 finish in 2016-17, accumulating a 7-9 conference record. Additionally, they ranked dead-last in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in scoring defense (80.2 ppg).

This is a team beginning the early stages of a rebuild. All-MEAC guards Greg Mortimer, Eric Eaves and Ed Stephens graduated. Plus, the scoring-heavy trio averaged a combined 37 points per game in 2016, a sizeable contribution head coach Murray Garvin hopes to fill with plenty of new faces.

Early games should help Murray round his lineup and find a proven “star,” since Bulldogs forward Tashombe Riley, who led the team in rebounds, might not return this season after suffering an off-season knee injury.

However, Riley’s absence creates an opportunity for the new faces to contribute. There are six new players in the S.C.S. lineup this year, that list including five transfers and a true freshman.

On Nov. 2, some of the South Carolina State players experienced their first Division 1 college basketball game when the Bulldogs traveled to Coastal Carolina for an exhibition matchup. The Bulldogs lost, 69-83, but Garvin was impressed with his team’s performance.

"Again, a chance to play on the road in an exhibition game can only help prepare us for the regular season,” Garvin said. “That starts next week on the road at Big 10 foe Wisconsin."

Badgers Pre-Game Notes:

Head coach Greg Gard is also facing similar roster decisions and must replace one of the best senior classes in program history. Gone are Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, Zak Showalter and Vitto Brown. Now, these Badgers graduates are replaced by returning players and newcomers.

One of the biggest stories concerning Wisconsin during the offseason was redshirt junior guard Jordan Hill announcing his decision to transfer to Seattle University. Consequently, his departure opens the doors for sophomore guard Brevin Pritzl to secure a starting role.

Most importantly, the Badgers feature returning third-team, All-American forward Ethan Happ for his junior year. In 2016-17, Happ averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Yet, this year he is aware there is a target on his back.

“People were like, 'Who do you even have? It's you coming back and who else is going to play?'" Happ said during media day earlier this year. "So that's probably what the opposing coaching staffs are going to say is, first and foremost, don't let Happ score and then we'll figure out the rest.”

Head Coach Outlook

South Carolina State: Head coach Murray Garvin enters his fourth season as the head basketball coach for the Bulldogs. He owns a record of 52-85 (.380).

Wisconsin: Head coach Greg Gard (video below) begins his third season at the helm of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball, boasting a 42-18 (.700) record during his tenure.