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Sunday Big Ten Preview: Wisconsin Set to Host Purdue

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Sunday Big Ten Preview: Wisconsin Set to Host Purdue


There are two games set for the day with the top four teams all set to play today. Let’s take a look at the upcoming action.

Game of the Day

#2 Purdue Boilermakers at #6 Wisconsin Badgers

  • Time/TV: 1:00 PM ET CBS
  • Line: Purdue -1.5

Earlier in the week the Badgers had a rough second half and blew a massive lead against Nebraska on their way to their second conference loss of the season. The Badgers have struggled on the road, losing to Nebraska and Penn State and barely avoiding a loss at Minnesota. Thankfully for Badgers fans they face the Boilermakers at home this afternoon.

Purdue took care of business and avenged an earlier loss against Northwestern with an overtime win. The Boilermakers need to improve from the free throw line after a 63% shooting performance came close to costing them the game against the Wildcats.

Wisconsin has a well balanced starting five but will have a considerable disadvantage inside against reigning NPOY Zach Edey. It’s more or less a given that Edey will have a day, with Edey posting 17 points (7 of 9 from the field) and 19 rebounds in Madison last year. The question and determining factor will be in the backcourt.

Purdue occasionally gets turnover happy and sometimes can be a bit streaky from three. Against a Wisconsin team that has a highly efficient offense Purdue needs to maximize their offensive possessions and limit mistakes. As for Wisconsin, when Purdue struggles it’s usually because they have issues stopping teams from hitting from three. In their two losses this season both Nebraska and Northwestern shot lights out from beyond the arc. If Max Klesmit can stay hot from beyond the arc the Badgers should be in good shape.

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If Purdue can find a way to defend the perimeter and keep their turnovers down they should have enough shooting of their own to pair with Edey and find a way to win on the road.

Pick: Purdue

The Rest

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Illinois Fighting Illini

  • Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET BTN
  • Line: Illinois -9.5

In the second game today the Illini look to hold pace with Purdue and Wisconsin towards the top of the Big Ten. They enter the day a game back from Wisconsin and a 1.5 games behind Purdue (while also losing the tiebreaker to the Boilermakers) and if they win will gain ground on whoever loses the first game today.

The Illini are 4-1 over the past five games, though the four wins have came against teams towards the bottom of the conference. Nebraska is a better team then the likes of Indiana or Ohio State, but the Cornhuskers are a more difficult out at home and will be at a disadvantage on the road.

Illinois is hoping that Terrence Shannon Jr.’s second half against the Buckeyes can get him up and running. Since his return he’s shot 4 of 21 from three and only 35.6% from the field while posting 10 assists and 10 turnovers. If Illinois wants to compete with the likes of Purdue and Wisconsin they’ll need more than Shannon, who Illini fans are hoping just needs time to get back up and running. Shannon should return to form sooner or later, but don’t forget he struggled heavily in losses to Marquette and Tennessee and outside of FAU, most of his success came against lesser opposition.

Luckily the lack of Shannon for about a month forced Illinois to turn elsewhere and the remaining starters (particularly Coleman Hawkins and Marcus Domask) showed they could still keep the Illini at the top of the conference. With a relatively solid core outside of Shannon the Illini have still been successful and it has made it easier for Illinois to deal with a struggling Shannon.

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Nebraska roared back against Wisconsin to win in overtime, but the last time on road they lost to Maryland by 22. Before that the Cornhuskers lost to Rutgers, Iowa and Wisconsin on the road. They haven’t won a road game in the Big Ten yet this season and that isn’t likely to change today.

Pick: Illinois



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Wisconsin native and American Idol contestant waiting to see if she advances

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Wisconsin native and American Idol contestant waiting to see if she advances


GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Wisconsin native and American Idol contestant Genevieve Heyward is anxiously waiting to see if she makes it to the top 14.

Two Mondays ago, she sang “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, and the judges had nothing but good things to say.

We spoke with Genevieve about exceeding her own expectations as she waits for the results.

“I just think going into any of these, specifically American Idol, you kind of have to just go in, and you got to be grounded through it. But that’s the other thing I’ve learned. You just got to stay grounded and don’t have any expectations for what you think is going to happen. You almost have to ride the wave,” said Heyward.

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Viewers will find out if she advances to the next round on Monday, March 30th, right here on WBAY-TV 2.



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Construction is underway on Pizza Ranch restaurant in Wisconsin Rapids

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Construction is underway on Pizza Ranch restaurant in Wisconsin Rapids



Crews are starting to work on the new Pizza Ranch in Wisconsin Rapids. We have an updated timeline for the restaurant.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Crews are starting to work on building the new Pizza Ranch in Wisconsin Rapids.

Angie and Gary Hall from Kellner will be the owners and operators of Pizza Ranch when the restaurant with FunZone opens near Home Depot in Wisconsin Rapids.

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Angie Hall told a Daily Tribune reporter March 24 crews started preparing and clearing the land Tuesday morning in advance of putting in the building footings next week.

Pizza Ranch also became members of the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning and will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. April 6 on the property, Hall said.

Construction is estimated to take about six months to complete, and Hall said they’re expecting to host a grand opening in September.

Hall said she and her husband can’t wait for this chapter to start, and they strive to live Pizza Ranch’s vision, “to glorify God by positively impacting the world,” Hall said.

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Pizza Ranch is not just a restaurant and FunZone, Hall said, but will be here for the community, giving back to the community in any and every way possible, she said.

After years of rumors Pizza Ranch would open a Wisconsin Rapids location, plans have been in the works since city leaders approved initial parking plans for the site, naming the 8,137-square-foot restaurant in October.

Hall told a Daily Tribune reporter in January she and her husband would be the owners and operators of the new location. Gary Hall is currently the general manager of the Stevens Point area location, and Angie Hall is a district manager for multiple locations throughout the state.

For more information, visit pizzaranch.com.

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Contact Caitlin at cshuda@usatodayco.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.





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Wisconsin Lutheran’s Zens is Gatorade state player of the year

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Wisconsin Lutheran’s Zens is Gatorade state player of the year


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  • Zavier Zens was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Wisconsin boys basketball player of the year.
  • The Wisconsin Lutheran senior also won the Mr. Basketball award and a third straight state title.
  • Zens averaged 23.4 points per game and led his team to an undefeated 30-0 season.
  • He was also recognized for his community service, youth coaching, and a 3.38 GPA.

Wisconsin Lutheran senior Zavier Zens rounded out a week that already saw him named to the Naismith High School All-American list, receive the Mr. Basketball Award from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association and win a third consecutive WIAA state title with his Vikings teammates by being named the 2025-26 Gatorade Wisconsin boys basketball player of the year.

In a release from March 20, Gatorade announced Zens as Wisconsin Lutheran’s second Gatorade player of the year in the past three seasons, joining his first cousin, Kon Knueppel. The 6-foot-7 Northern Iowa commit averaged 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and shot 61.8% from the field, leading Wisconsin Lutheran’s second 30-0 season in the past three years.

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In addition to his on-court impact, the Gatorade press release highlighted Zens’ community impact as a youth basketball coach, participation in community service through his church and a 3.38 weighted GPA in the classroom among the factors leading to his selection.

“Zavier is incredible,” Greendale coach Ryan Johnson said in the Gatorade release. “He has had an incredible season as the leader of not only the top-ranked team in the state, but one of the best teams in the country. He scores at all three levels, defends at a high level and is a true leader.”

Zens scored 21 points in a 68-61 WIAA Division 1 state semifinal win over Appleton North on March 20, before adding another team-best 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting to lead a 57-37 win in the D1 state title game over Madison Memorial on March 21.

He finishes his career as the No. 3 career scorer in school history (1,611 points), No. 7 in career rebounds (463), No. 2 in career threes (154) and single-season points (703), while holding the school record for converted field goals in a season (282).

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Gatorade player of the year recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in 12 sports, including: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross-country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, as well as boys and girls track and field. In total, 610 high school athletes are recognized each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports by a committee that leverages coaches, scouts, media and other sources to determine each sport’s winner.



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