Jeff Levering, Brian Butch tip off Brew City Battle excitement with 147-foot trick shot attempt
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Badgers basketball is set to take over American Family Field for the Brew City Battle, slated to take place Friday, Nov. 11.
"I'm excited for the kids that get a chance to play here," said former UW basketball player Brian Butch. "It is such a fun and unique way to still play a really high-quality basketball game, but in this environment."
The UW women's team will tip off against Kansas State at 3:30 p.m., followed by the UW men's team taking on Stanford at 6:30 p.m. on a temporary court that will be installed on the stadium's infield.
"Having opportunities to see the Badgers play in Milwaukee, I think that's a great opportunity," said Jeff Levering, Brewers broadcaster, who will be calling the game on FS1. "It's a chance to come to a place where you spend a lot of your summer, too. It's just an opportunity you don't get very often."
The game will mark the first time American Family Field has hosted a college basketball event, and it will be the first game staged in a baseball-only park since San Diego played San Diego State at Petco Park in 2015.
Stadium crossovers aren't new to UW. The Badgers hockey programs played a game at Camp Randall in 2010 and in 2016. Badgers football defeated No. 5 LSU at Lambeau Field. Butch says events like this are a great way for not only the university, but the players to grow their respective brands.
"You talk about the NIL situations that are out there for athletes and for players. I think this opens that door so much more versus just being at Madison," Butch said. "Now you get a chance to really get out there, go to Green Bay during Lambeau if you get an opportunity to do that, come to Milwaukee, get involved with some different businesses. I think it's, strategically, very smart by UW to grow your brand but also players wise it's great because it gives them the opportunity to grow their brand as well."
To tip off the excitement, Levering and Butch both made the trek to the top of the scoreboard at American Family Field to try and sink a basket in a portable hoop placed on the warning track 147-feet below. Both were not successful.
"I had no shot. I went into this thing thinking I had zero chance to actually make the shot," Levering said. "I was just happy I got in the vicinity."
Tickets for the Brew City Battle start at $29 and are available online.