Wisconsin basketball shows a good foundation in exhibition win over UW-Parkside

MADISON, Wis – The first glimpse of a new-look roster showed plenty of promise for the Badgers.

Wisconsin began its 2026-27 exhibition season with a stress-free 94-71 victory over UW-Parkside Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center, a win defined by efficient offense and improved defense against an overmatched opponent.

All 11 players who saw significant minutes scored for the Badgers, led by a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds for preseason All-Big Ten pick Nolan Winter and 14 points for prized transfer portal acquisition Eian Elmer. Having missed most of the offseason conditioning recovering from ankle surgery, Winter looked refreshed in his 22 minutes.

It was a theme for a Wisconsin team that head coach Greg Gard has said multiple times is the biggest he’s had in his 12-year tenure. Even with junior forward Austin Rapp sitting out, that size was on full display against a Parkside lineup without a starter listed over 6-foot-7.

Twenty-seven of Wisconsin’s first 36 points came from scoring in the paint or from the free throw line, fourteen of which came on a 20-4 run that created a 36-15 advantage 12 minutes into the game. UW maintained at least a 14-point lead for the rest of the afternoon.

New point guard Owen Foxwell (10 points), forward transfer Victory Onuetu (10), and sophomore Will Garlock (10) also reached double figures for the Badgers, who led by as many as 25 points and shot better than 50 percent in each half.

Guard Brian Hawthorne had a game-high 19 points for Parkside, which is being coached by former UW director of recruiting and scouting Kyle Blackbourn.

With Rapp and freshmen LaTrevion Fenderson and Josh Manchester unavailable, the Badgers ran through all 12 healthy bodies, including guard Braeden Carrington. Playing with Wisconsin while his court case seeking a fifth year of eligibility plays out, Carrington finished with six points and no turnovers in 13 minutes.

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Publish date : 2026-10-10 19:05:00

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