Honestly, if you looked at the Wisconsin Badgers back on January 3, you probably would’ve written them off. That 89-73 beatdown by Purdue at the Kohl Center felt like a "same old story" moment. They were 0-3 against ranked teams, looking slow, and the computer numbers were tanking. Everyone was ready to start the "is Greg Gard the guy?" debate for the millionth time.
Fast forward less than two weeks. Everything has flipped.
Winning three straight in the Big Ten is hard. Winning back-to-back road games at No. 2 Michigan and against a gritty Minnesota team? That’s basically impossible for most teams, but that is exactly the Wisconsin Badgers basketball news everyone is buzzing about right now. John Blackwell’s buzzer-beating three to sink the Gophers 78-75 on Tuesday wasn't just a highlight; it was a statement. The Badgers aren't just surviving; they’re actually hunting.
The Blackwell and Boyd Connection
You’ve got to talk about the backcourt. It’s the engine. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell are currently accounting for nearly 45% of the team's total points. That is a massive reliance on two guys, but when they’re playing like this, Greg Gard isn't complaining.
Boyd has been a machine. He’s scored double digits in all 17 games this season, averaging 19.2 points. He’s one of only four players in the Big Ten with that kind of consistency. Then you have Blackwell, the junior who just looks like he’s playing with a different level of "want-to" lately. He dropped 27 on Minnesota and was the Naismith Trophy Player of the Week after the Michigan upset.
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These guys aren't just shooters. They’re "bad shot" makers—the kind of players Wisconsin historically lacks. When the shot clock is at four and the play breaks down, Blackwell has been the guy to just go get a bucket.
Why the Michigan Win Matters More Than You Think
Beating the No. 2 team in the country on the road is obviously huge, but look at the context. Wisconsin was an 18.5-point underdog. They trailed by 14 early. Usually, a Greg Gard team that falls behind by double digits on the road just sort of grinds out a slow death. Instead, they shot 63% in the second half. They went 10-for-17 from deep.
- Final Score: Wisconsin 91, Michigan 88.
- The Hero: John Blackwell (26 points).
- The Surprise: Aleksas Bieliauskas with a career-high 17 points.
That game didn't just help the record. It catapulted their NET ranking from the 60s into the top 40. In the world of March Madness resumes, that 91-88 win is the "get out of jail free" card the Badgers needed after those early-season stumbles against Villanova and Nebraska.
A New Identity? Toughness over Analytics
Greg Gard has been vocal lately about people staring at their phones and "computer numbers" too much. He’s kinda right. While the KenPom and NET rankings are better now (sitting around 38-40), Gard is preaching a "toughness" mantra. He mentioned after the Minnesota win that he doesn't care if a player is 5-foot-8 or 7-foot-9—they have to have a certain mentality to win in this league.
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You’re seeing it in guys like Braeden Carrington. The former Gopher went back to Minneapolis and dropped 21 points off the bench. He didn't look like a guy worried about his offensive efficiency rating; he looked like a guy who wanted to beat his old team.
The defense still has holes. Let’s be real. They’re giving up about 75 points per game, which is ranked 227th nationally. That’s not very "Wisconsin-like." But they are making up for it with a top-30 three-point shooting attack and a fast-paced offense that scores 82.8 points a night. It's a weird, high-scoring version of the Badgers that we aren't used to seeing.
Recruiting and the 2026 Outlook
Even while the current team is surging, the future is taking shape. The latest Wisconsin Badgers basketball news on the recruiting trail is heavily focused on the international market. Gard has clearly found a niche there.
Jackson Ball, a 6-4 guard from New Zealand, is the newest addition to the 2026 class. He’s been playing professionally in Australia and has that "pro-ready" physicality Gard loves. He joins LaTrevion Fenderson in the class. There’s also heavy smoke around Dominykas Daubaris, a 6-9 Lithuanian forward who recently visited Madison.
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The strategy is obvious: find skilled, older-bodied international players who can bypass the typical "freshman wall" in the Big Ten.
What to Watch for Next
The Badgers return home to the Kohl Center this Saturday to face Rutgers. It’s the annual Alumni Game, so guys like Ben Brust and Josh Gasser will be in the building. On paper, it’s a game Wisconsin should win. Rutgers is 9-8 and struggling on the road. But this is the Big Ten—nothing is ever actually easy.
If Wisconsin can take care of Rutgers, they move to 13-5 and 5-2 in the conference. With four of the next five games at home, the "January Run" that Benjamin Worgull and other beat writers have been predicting is officially on.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Paint: Rutgers' Tariq Francis is a problem. If Boyd and Blackwell can keep him out of the lane, the Badgers win comfortably.
- Kohl Center Energy: This is a "Quad 4" game for Wisconsin right now. A loss would be catastrophic for their newly minted Top 40 NET ranking.
- Health Check: Keep an eye on the frontcourt rotation. With Steven Crowl graduated and the team leaning on Nolan Winter and Austin Rapp, staying out of foul trouble is the only way this defense holds up.
The vibe has shifted. Two weeks ago, the season felt like it was on life support. Today, the Badgers are one of the hottest teams in the country. That's the beauty of January basketball in Madison.