PISCATAWAY - Rutgers (10-6, 0-3) hosts the first of eight consecutive Big Ten opponents at the RAC, when it welcomes Wisconsin (9-7, 2-1) on Friday for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Scarlet Knights and Badgers feature two of the nation's top scoring defenses, limiting opponents to 60.9 and 65.1 points-per-game, respectively. The team's also boast the two top scoring freshmen in the conference in Geo Baker (RU) and Brad Davison (UW), who share the league mark with 11.9 points-per-game.
 
UW, which has received votes in multiple polls this season, is RU's first league foe that is not nationally-ranked. Wisconsin arrives riding a five-game winning streak, while Rutgers will be working to snap a three-game skid.
 
The first 500 fans in attendance Friday evening will receive complimentary camouflage hats. Via the new "Winter Break at the RAC" promotion, Rutgers students with a valid ID can bring up to two free guests in the student section. In addition, "Mutts Gone Nuts" will perform at halftime. 
 
The game will be televised live on ESPN2 with Mike Corey calling the action and Jay Williams providing the commentary. On the radio, the contest will be broadcast live on the Rutgers IMG Sports Network, WOR 710 AM in New York and WCTC 1450 AM in New Brunswick, as well as on Sirius 137 and XM 195. Jerry Recco will serve as play-by-play announcer and Joe Boylan will provide commentary. WRSU (88.7 FM) will also broadcast the game.
 
Rutgers is third nationally in offensive rebounding (15.31) and fifth in overall rebounding (43.50), while placing ninth in both scoring defense (60.9) and FG% defense (37.6). The Scarlet Knights are among the top three in the Big Ten in 12 stat categories.
 
Rutgers and Wisconsin have met seven times on the collegiate hardwood dating back to 1949, with the Badgers holding a 6-1 advantage. Last season, RU limited No. 15 UW to 33.3 percent shooting, including 12 percent from behind the arc, but suffered a hard-fought 61-54 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden. Rutgers is 1-1 at the RAC in the series, including a 67-62 win over the No. 4 Badgers on Jan. 11, 2015.
 
Rutgers dropped an 82-51 decision at No. 13/12 Purdue Wednesday night. Facing their third ranked league foe in as many games, the Scarlet Knights forced 16 turnovers, but were undone by the Boilermakers' 10 three-pointers. Baker and Mike Williams scored in double figures for RU, posting 11 and 10 points, respectively. Purdue shot 49 percent (26-of-53), while Rutgers made 33 percent (20-of-60) of its field goal attempts. The home squad also benefited from a 45-27 advantage on the glass.

Wisconsin, under the leadership of third-year head coach Greg Gard, has averaged 79.4 points-per-game, while shooting 53 percent, during its five-game winning streak. The Badgers have played eight games against foes listed in the KenPom top-75, the most in the nation. All-American Ethan Happ is the only major conference player averaging at least 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists-per-game this season and is the Big Ten's only player leading his team in points, rebounds and assists.

Single game tickets for Rutgers men's basketball home games are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase flex ticket plans, which enable consumers to select any four games from the home schedule to create their own package.

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