| MATCHUP | Denver Pioneers | Wisconsin Badgers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +23.5 -115 | -23.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | +2200 | -8000 |
| Total | Over 159.5 (-112) | Under 159.5 (-108) |
| Where | Kohl Center, Madison, WI | |
| When | Monday, November 2, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | B1G+ | |
Denver vs Wisconsin Prediction
Wisconsin is obviously the better team capable of blowing the doors off, but there will also be adjustments with key players leaving. Denver doesn’t have the depth to really scare Wisconsin, but it will have a legit bucket-getter in Carson Johnson, somebody who is capable of taking over a game if you’re not careful. We’ve seen in CBB where it just takes one guy to get going for things to get interesting. Season opener and bigger game for Denver. I’ll take a shot with the points.
Denver Pioneers Betting Preview
Denver won 15 games last season and enters year two under coach Tim Bergstraser. Denver has won 17 or fewer games in each of the last 13 seasons.
Carson Johnson returns after averaging 20.1 points and 1.8 rebounds, while Shaun Wysocki averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. Those are the only returning players on this Denver squad. Johnson was Denver’s top player and instantly becomes one of the best players in all of the WCC. However, the WCC overall is an obvious step up in competition compared to the Summit, so it’s going to be interesting to see how the Pioneers hold up.
Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
Wisconsin won 24 games last year and made the big dance. Greg Gard enters his 12th season as coach, and the Badgers have made the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons.
Nolan Winter returns after averaging 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds, while Austin Rapp averaged 9.7 points and 4 rebounds. Braeden Carrington averaged 1.1 assists per game, and Jack Janicki played in 428 minutes last season. Wisconsin lost its top players in Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, but there’s enough returning depth for this to be a solid season. Miami OH transfer Eian Elmer was one of the top players in the MAC, while Owen Foxwell has pro experience in Australia. There’s enough here for Wisconsin to be one of the better teams in the Big Ten while making the big dance for a fourth straight season.
Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win
- Wisconsin has won each of its last 16 night games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Denver has lost seven of its last eight Monday games against non-Conference opponents.
- Denver has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of Wisconsin’s last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 158 or fewer points.
- Each of Denver’s last four games against non-Conference opponents has produced a total of 165+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Wisconsin ranked 5th for free throw percentage (91.7%) in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
- Wisconsin ranked 6th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage last season (78.8%).
- Denver ranked 24th among Division 1 teams for points per possession last season (1.21).
- Denver ranked 25th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage last season (77.3%).