How To Watch Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Basketball in 2025
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
On Wisconsin! A look at the 2025–2026 Badgers
There’s good reason to be excited about Badgers basketball after last season. Coach Greg Gard fully embraced a fast-paced, open offense that averaged over 80 points a game and shot the lights out from the free-throw line. It led to a 27-win season, a trip to the Big Ten Tournament final, and a No. 16 final ranking. But after an early NCAA Tournament exit and the graduation of three key starters—including leading scorer John Tonje and big man Steven Crowl—we’re on to a new chapter.
The team is now unequivocally led by junior guard John Blackwell, who solidified his star status by returning to Madison after testing the NBA draft waters. He’s joined by 7-foot junior Nolan Winter, and together they anchor a roster infused with a highly-touted, four-man transfer class. That includes point guard Nick Boyd (San Diego St.) and three-point specialist Austin Rapp (Portland), who look ready to contribute immediately.
Following this new-look roster on TV means navigating the Big Ten’s complex broadcast rights. Games are split across CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports channels, including streaming exclusives on Big Ten Plus (B1G+) and Peacock. I’ve broken down the complete 2025–2026 Wisconsin Badgers basketball schedule and the streaming services you’ll need to watch every game.
2025–2026 Wisconsin men’s basketball TV schedule
The Badgers start the regular season at home against Campbell on November 3. From there, Wisconsin will navigate an exciting non-conference slate, featuring high-profile matchups and the “Battle of I-94” rivalry game against Marquette.
The Big Ten schedule tips off at home on December 3 against Northwestern. This season, we’ll get another look at the newer conference members, with UCLA visiting the Kohl Center on January 6 and USC coming to town on January 25. The 2026 Big Ten Tournament will be held March 10–15 at the United Center in Chicago, with the NCAA Tournament beginning just days later.
Here’s a complete look at the Badgers’ 2025–2026 TV schedule, including start times and channel listings.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell Fighting Camels | Monday, Nov. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Northern Illinois Huskies | Friday, Nov. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Ball State Cardinals | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| SIU Edwardsville Cougars | Monday, Nov. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At BYU | Friday, Nov. 21 | 4:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Providence Friars | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 5:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| TCU | Friday, Nov. 28 | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Northwestern Wildcats | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Marquette Golden Eagles | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 2:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Villanova Wildcats | Friday, Dec. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Central Michigan Chippewas | Monday, Dec. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Milwaukee Panthers | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Purdue | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
| UCLA | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 9:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Michigan | Saturday, Jan. 10 | TBD | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| At Minnesota Golden Gophers | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Penn State Nittany Lions | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| USC Trojans | Sunday, Jan. 25 | 4:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | FOX |
| At Indiana | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 12:00 p.m. | FOX |
| At Illinois | Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Michigan State Spartans | Friday, Feb. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
| At Ohio State Buckeyes | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 8:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 4:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Oregon Ducks | Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 11:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Washington Huskies | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 4:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Maryland Terrapins | Wednesday, March 4 | 8:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Purdue | Saturday, March 7 | 4:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for Wisconsin men’s basketball
To be a Badgers fan in the 18-team Big Ten era, your TV setup needs to cover two main areas: the core national channels and the streaming exclusives. The primary channels you need are Big Ten Network (BTN), CBS, FOX, and FS1.
My top recommendation for a foundational live TV streaming service is Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV. Both carry all four of those key networks, so you’ll be set for most of the major conference and non-conference games. They also include TNT Sports channels (TNT, TBS, and truTV), which are a must for men’s March Madness coverage.
Here is the most critical part: You also need separate subscriptions to Peacock and B1G+ to watch every Badger game live. Peacock has the exclusive rights to numerous Big Ten basketball games this season, including several key Wisconsin matchups (like the road game at Illinois). These games will not air anywhere else, unless you head to your local bar. Additionally, B1G+ is crucial for watching early-season exhibition games and the first regular-season matchup.
How to watch Wisconsin men’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch Wisconsin men's basketball for free?
If a Badgers game is on a local broadcast channel like FOX or CBS, you can watch it for free with a good over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. For all other games, your best "free" option is to use a short-term free trial for a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV.
How can I stream Wisconsin basketball without cable?
The most complete way to stream the Badgers without cable is with three services. First, you'll need a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Fubo to get Big Ten Network, FS1, FOX, and CBS. Then, you'll want a Peacock subscription for all the exclusive conference games. Finally, B1G+ is a must for some early-season games.
Can I watch Wisconsin basketball on Peacock?
You'll need to subscribe to Peacock directly. Several Big Ten games, including key Wisconsin matchups, will stream only on Peacock and will not be available on any other TV channel. But be sure to get one of Peacock's premium plans; otherwise, you'll miss out on live sports completely.
Do I need B1G+ to watch Wisconsin basketball?
Yes, I consider B1G+ necessary to watch every Badgers basketball game, even if it mostly shows early-season games with low stakes. This is the Big Ten's subscription service that streams hundreds of non-televised events, including several men's and women's exhibition games. You can purchase the subscription at BigTenPlus.com or as an add-on through FOX One.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Wisconsin men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
