MADISON - Wisconsin got some help in the Big Ten race Friday night. Saturday the Badgers have a chance to take advantage of it.
No. 11 UW (21-5, 11-4) has a chance to move within one game of first place with a victory over Oregon (19-8, 8-8) at the Kohl Center. Tip-off is 11 a.m.
The Badgers, who have won five straight games, can thank Michigan State for the opportunity. The Spartans knocked Michigan out of first place and replaced the Wolverines atop the conference standings with a 75-62 victory on the road Friday night
The result tightened up the top of the Big Ten standings. Here are the top five teams entering play Saturday: 1. Michigan State (13-3); 2. Michigan (12-3); 3. Wisconsin (11-4); 4 (tie). Maryland and Purdue (11-5).
Here is what you need to know about Wisconsin's matchup with Oregon.
The game will be show on FS1 as well as the Fox Sports app. Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play) and LaPhonso Ellis (analysis) will handle the call.
The matchup can be heard on AM-97.3 in Milwaukee and on AM-1310 and FM 101.5 in Madison. Matt Lepay (play-by-play) and Brian Butch will call the game. The contest can also be heard on the Varsity app or on Sirius XM channels 83 (Wisconsin) or 195 (Oregon).
More: The most important stat for the Wisconsin men's basketball team might surprise you
Gard is in the running for the Naismith men's coach of the year. He is one of 15 coaches on the list.
Picked to finished tied for 12 in the Big Ten's preseason media poll, Gard has led the Badgers to the best start of his 10 seasons as head coach.
Four other Big Ten coaches made the list: Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Michigan's Dusty May and Purdue's Matt Painter.