(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin men’s basketball team beat Denver, 75-68, on Monday night at the Kohl Center in its first game of the 2026-27 regular season.
Owen Foxwell and Eian Elmer led the way for the Badgers (1-0) in their regular-season debuts. Foxwell controlled the point for Wisconsin with 14 points and 7 assists while Elmer added 18 points along with 5 rebounds.
Nolan Winter dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive end. Winter’s 14 rebounds are tied for the 2nd most he’s had in a single game during his career. The only other games he’s had more rebounds was during his sophomore season at Michigan State (17, 3/2/25).
Braeden Carrington made his first career start at UW, scoring 15 with 3 from beyond the arc, while Austin Rapp added 9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
Badgers coach Greg Gard talked about the rough night for Elmer.
He said that he didn’t need to tell his players they played below the standard.
Gard also talked about the team’s free throw line problems where they made just 7-of-18.
Carrington talked about where they can be better than last year.
Foxwell said that it may take some time to gel with so many new players.
Wisconsin led Denver (0-1) 31-28 with 5 and a half minutes left in the first half, then used a 13-2 run to gain control to end the half with a 44-30 lead. The Badgers held Denver without a field goal for the last five and a half minutes of the first half.
The Badgers dominated the paint tonight, outscoring the Pioneers 46 to 18 inside. UW has won its home opener for the 11th-straight season and the 28th time in the last 29 years. UW is 11-0 in home openers under head coach Greg Gard.
After this win, Wisconsin has now won 20 consecutive non-conference home games dating back to a Nov. 10, 2023 loss to No. 9 Tennessee. That equals the longest-active streak in the Big Ten and is the 5th-longest in UW history.
Up Next: UW continues its regular season slate with a home contest against Delaware on Friday, Nov. 6. Tip at the Kohl Center is set for 6:30 p.m. CT
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