What Channel is the Wisconsin Game On Today: The Kohl Center Showdown
If you're looking for the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball game today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you need to find the Big Ten Network (BTN) on your dial.
The Badgers are taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Kohl Center. Tip-off was set for 1:00 PM CT (2:00 PM ET). It’s a big one. Wisconsin entered the day with a 12-5 record, looking to stay hot in the Big Ten race. Honestly, if you missed the live broadcast, you’re probably looking for the highlights or the replay because this game turned into a high-scoring track meet.
For those who use streaming services, you've likely realized by now that the "where to watch" game is getting complicated. You can find BTN on most major live TV streamers like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV. If you're purely digital, the FOX Sports App is the go-to, provided you have a cable login to authenticate.
Scoring Update: How the Badgers Handled Business
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The Badgers walked away with a 96-87 victory over Rutgers.
Nick Boyd was absolutely electric. He put up 32 points and dished out nine assists. You've got to appreciate that kind of efficiency—he was 8-of-16 from the floor and basically lived at the free-throw line, hitting 14 of 15. When a guard plays like that, Wisconsin is tough to beat.
John Blackwell and Nolan Winter chipped in 19 and 18 points respectively. It's the kind of balanced scoring Greg Gard dreams about. Rutgers didn't just lay over, though. Harun Zrno went off for 21 points, including five triples, but the Badgers' 51-point first half was just too much for the Knights to overcome.
Beyond Basketball: Other Badger Sports Today
Wait, you might be asking about more than just hoops. Today was actually a busy day for UW athletics.
The Wisconsin Men’s Tennis team officially kicked off their 2026 dual season down in Dallas. They played SMU at noon and managed to grind out a 4-3 road win. Matthew Fullerton was the hero there, clinching the match in a three-set battle at the No. 4 singles spot. If you were looking for a stream for that, those matches usually live on local university athletic sites or specialized tennis streaming platforms, but for today, the result is already in the books.
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Where to Watch the Rest of the Season
Navigating the Big Ten's new media deal is, frankly, a bit of a headache. You can't just rely on one channel anymore. Here is a quick breakdown of what you'll need for the rest of the 2025-26 basketball season:
- Big Ten Network (BTN): This remains the "home base" for most mid-week and Saturday afternoon games.
- Peacock: NBC’s streaming service has exclusive rights to several games. For example, the upcoming road game against Illinois is a Peacock exclusive. You won't find it on traditional TV.
- FS1 & FOX: These usually pick up the high-profile weekend matchups.
- CBS: Usually reserved for the Sunday afternoon "Game of the Week" slots as we get closer to March.
What’s Next for the Badgers?
Now that the Rutgers game is wrapped up, the schedule doesn't get any easier. Wisconsin heads out on the road to face Penn State on Thursday, January 22. That game will be at the Bryce Jordan Center, and it's scheduled for a 6:00 PM CT start on FS1.
If you are planning to attend a game at the Kohl Center soon, keep an eye on ticket availability for the USC game on January 25. With the way Boyd is playing, seats are starting to go fast on the secondary markets.
Check your local listings for the Big Ten Network replay schedule if you missed the live action today. Most providers will re-air the Rutgers game late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Peacock Subscription: Make sure it’s active before the next exclusive streaming game so you aren't scrambling at tip-off.
- Download the FOX Sports App: Link it to your TV provider now to ensure you have mobile access for the Penn State game.
- Sync the Calendar: Update your personal calendar with the remaining Big Ten schedule to avoid channel-flipping confusion during the stretch run.