Wisconsin basketball (1-0) will play Montana State (0-0) at the Kohl Center in its second game of the 2024-25 non-conference state on Thursday night.
Greg Gard’s crew enters the contest after vanquishing Holy Cross 85-61 in its season opener on Nov. 4. In that game, transfer John Tonje impressed with 23 points and five rebounds in his Badger debut.
Montana State, meanwhile, opens its 2024-25 season against the Badgers. The Bobcats have won three consecutive Big Sky titles — securing three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. They will look to build off that momentum with a respectable output against one of college basketball’s most consistent programs.
Transfer guard Camren Hunter will make his Wisconsin debut Thursday after missing the season opener with an illness. Hunter averaged 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 33.9 minutes per game in 2022-23 with Central Arkansas before missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury. His minutes and role should be worth monitoring against Montana State.
Gard went with starters John Blackwell, John Tonje, Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter in the opener vs. Holy Cross, plus leaned on guard Kamari McGee as his top bench asset.
Both teams enter Thursday’s game at full strength. The two will tip off at 7:00 p.m. CT on BTN+.
Wisconsin injury report
No reported injuries
Montana State injury report
No reported injuries