With February heating up and conference races tightening, Indiana has a major opportunity on its hands this Saturday when Wisconsin rolls into Bloomington. This isn’t just another Big Ten matchup-it’s a high-stakes, Quad 1 showdown that could carry real weight for the Hoosiers come Selection Sunday.
Wisconsin enters the weekend firmly in the Big Ten title conversation, riding an 8-3 conference record and playing the kind of basketball that travels well. But despite the Badgers’ strong résumé, predictive metrics like KenPom and Bart Torvik actually give Indiana the edge-by five points or more. That’s no small nod of confidence, especially given how competitive the Big Ten has been this season.
For Indiana, this is a game that’s there for the taking-if they play to their strengths and clean up some of the issues that haunted them in their recent road loss at USC. Let’s break down what makes Wisconsin tick and what the Hoosiers need to key in on to protect home court.
1. Wisconsin’s Shot Profile: Old School, Inside-Out
The Badgers are one of just a handful of Big Ten teams-along with Illinois and Nebraska-who still prefer to work inside the arc. They rank just behind Indiana nationally in 3-point attempt rate (3PA/FGA), sitting at 51%. That means over half their shots still come from deep, but relative to the modern game, they’re more balanced than most.
That said, Indiana’s recent perimeter defense against Nebraska left a lot to be desired. The Huskers found too many open looks from beyond the arc, and if that trend continues, Wisconsin has the shooters to take advantage. Indiana has to be sharper on closeouts and more disciplined in rotations-especially when defending off-ball movement.
2. Nick Boyd: The Engine of the Offense
Wisconsin’s offense runs through Nick Boyd, a senior transfer from San Diego State who’s making the most of his final college season. At 6’3”, Boyd isn’t just a facilitator-he’s the team’s leading scorer and the focal point of Greg Gard’s offense on nearly a third of their possessions, per KenPom.
He’s not lights-out from deep, hitting just over 31% on nearly five attempts per game, but he’s dangerous enough to demand respect. What makes Boyd tough to guard is his ability to attack off the dribble and create for himself or others. Indiana’s backcourt will need to keep him in front and avoid unnecessary help that could lead to open looks for Wisconsin’s shooters.
3. John Blackwell: The Perimeter Threat You Can’t Lose
While Boyd drives the offense, junior guard John Blackwell is the guy who can really hurt you from the outside. He’s averaging 18.5 points per game and shooting a strong 37.5% from three on more than six attempts per game. He’s been with the Badgers for three years, so Hoosier fans know what he brings to the table.
Blackwell has a quick release and doesn’t need much space to get his shot off. If Indiana’s defense collapses too much on Boyd, Blackwell will be waiting on the kick-out. Defensive communication and discipline will be key-especially in transition and off screens.
4. A Signature Win and a Clean Résumé
Wisconsin is the only team to have beaten Michigan this season, and that win stands as the crown jewel of their NCAA Tournament résumé. What’s just as important, though, is what’s not on their record: bad losses. While Indiana has had a few slip-ups, the Badgers have mostly taken care of business, showing they can rise to the occasion without falling into trap games.
That Michigan win is a reminder that when Wisconsin is locked in, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Indiana will need to bring its A-game from the opening tip-because the Badgers have proven they don’t need a home crowd to play at a high level.
5. Road Tested, But Bloomington Is a Different Animal
Wisconsin has been solid on the road, with conference wins at Penn State, Minnesota, and Michigan. That’s no small feat in the Big Ten, where road wins are hard to come by.
Still, Assembly Hall presents a different kind of challenge. The energy, the noise, the history-it all matters, especially in a game with this much on the line.
Indiana has to feed off that home crowd and use it to fuel a defensive effort that’s locked in from start to finish. If they can do that-and knock down shots at a better clip than they did at USC-this becomes a game that can swing their season in a big way.
Bottom line: This is a statement opportunity for Indiana. Beat a top-tier Big Ten team, add a crucial Quad 1 win to the résumé, and show the rest of the league that Bloomington is still one of the toughest places to play.
But it won’t come easy. Wisconsin is disciplined, experienced, and capable of winning in any environment.
Indiana has the tools-it’s just a matter of execution.