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No. 24 Wisconsin opens conference slate at Michigan

Jan 2, 2008 - 1:57 PM No. 24 Wisconsin (10-2) at Michigan (4-8) 7:00 pm EST

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Ticker) -- No. 24 Wisconsin opens its Big Ten Conference slate Wednesday as it visits Michigan.

On Saturday, the Badgers closed their non-conference schedule in impressive fashion with a 67-66 victory over then-No. 9 Texas on Saturday. It marked the Badgers' first road win over a top-10 team since the 1979-80 season.

The Badgers were able to beat the Longhorns despite playing without leading scorer Trevon Hughes (ankle), who averages 15.1 points.

Senior forward-center Brian Butch is averaging 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Badgers, who are 51-51 all-time in conference openers, including 26-29 on the road.

The Wolverines have lost two straight and six of seven overall under first-year coach John Beilein. Freshman guard Manny Harris leads Michigan in most categories, including scoring (15.7 points per game), rebounding (4.8), assists (3.0), steals (1.7), free throw percentage (81 percent) and minutes (31.2).

Sophomore forward DeShawn Sims is averaging 13.5 points for the Wolverines, who only have two seniors on their roster. Michigan is 59-31 all-time in Big Ten conference openers.