Minnesota-born Badgers relish opportunity to play hometown team - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- It's Border Battle weekend here in Madison, as the Minnesota Gophers come to town both on the ice and the hardwood.

The UW women's hockey team hosts No. 1, undefeated Minnesota Friday and Sunday.

The UW men's basketball team hosts the 12th-ranked Gophers Saturday afternoon.

The basketball game is a big one for many reasons; namely the fact that Wisconsin and Minnesota have lost two and three straight games, respectively. But it's also a big deal for the Minnesota natives wearing Badger red, who love to beat their hometown team.

"With me being from Minnesota, a lot of my friends and family look forward to this and I look forward to it, too," UW senior forward Jared Berggren said. "And we're on a bit of a losing streak and don't want this to keep going, so we gotta defend the home court and get back on the winning track."

"I'm obviously excited; I always love playing the Gophers. I try to play as well as I can against them because it's my home town, but at the same time, it's still a Big Ten game," senior forward Mike Bruesewitz said. "It's just another game; the hoop's still 10 feet, so it's not a big difference but obviously being a Minnesota guy, it's a little more special."

Tip-off for Saturday's is at 1 p.m. at the Kohl Center.