Coming off a 24-11 (14-6) season, the Wisconsin Badgers learned who their 2026-27 conference opponents would be.
While the teams they’re playing are obvious, there are three teams they have to play twice, and those opponents are always a surprise.
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Not only that, but it’s extremely important to note which teams they’re stuck playing at home while the others are on the road.
Sure, it’s not the most difficult thing to figure out, as it’s mostly on a rotating basis, but now it’s time to look at which of the Badgers‘ 2026-27 road opponents will give them the most trouble.
5. Ohio State
Feb 17, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) drives to the basket as Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) defends during the second half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
While the Buckeyes had a better conference record than the team directly ahead of them, OSU doesn’t exactly have the highest expectations going into next season.
Ohio State was one of the teams Wisconsin played twice last year, and they make this top five due to their dominant 86-69 win over the No. 24 Badgers on February 17 from the Value City Arena.
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4. Iowa
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) scores on Iowa forward Cam Manyawu (3) during the second half of the game Sunday, February 22, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Iowa 84-71.
Minnesota is the only team that Wisconsin is playing twice that failed to make this list. The Badgers crushed Iowa in Madison a year ago (84-71), but Ben McCollum’s deep tournament run in his first year proved he’s building something special that will translate to Carver-Hawkeye Arena next season.
3. UCLA
UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) beats Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) to the ball during the second half of their game Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UCLA 80-72.
Traveling to the West Coast is never easy, and the Bruins are always a credible opponent. UCLA was tied with Purdue for sixth place in the conference standings last year at 13-7. Wisconsin took them down, 80-72, but that game was quite early in the year and playing in Los Angeles compared to Madison is a big difference.
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2. Michigan State
Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) hits a three-point basket during the second half of their game Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat 10th ranked Michigan State 92-71.
These top two games are interchangeable, as it’s impossible to decide if playing at Michigan State or at Illinois is tougher. Seeing as the Badgers play the Fighting Illini twice, they take the cake in these rankings due to the animosity being even higher than it normally would be.
Tom Izzo never goes down without a fight, and Greg Gard draws MSU on the road this season after he embarrassed the No. 10 Spartans, 92-71, back on February 13.
1. Illinois
Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) guards Wisconsin forward Austin Rapp (22) during the second half of their quarterfinal game in the Big Ten tournament Friday, March 13, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Wisconsin beat Illinois 91-88.
Wisconsin went 2-0 against Illinois a year ago, but won those two games by a combined five points. Most importantly, both games went to overtime.
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Other than taking down No. 2 Michigan on the road, one of Gard’s most impressive wins last season was defeating No. 8 Illinois in its house. Now, he’s tasked with doing it two seasons in a row as the Fighting Illini are once again a National Champion contender.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Ranking Wisconsin men’s basketball’s five toughest 2026-27 road games