Gophers Look to Snap Skid in Border Battle Rematch with Wisconsin
There’s no easing back into the Big Ten grind for Minnesota. After a tough loss to a top-10 Nebraska squad, the Gophers are headed to Madison for a rematch with a Wisconsin team that stole a win in heartbreaking fashion just two weeks ago.
This one’s personal-and pivotal.
Familiar Foe, Fresh Opportunity
The Gophers and Badgers are squaring off for the second time in just 15 days, a rare quick turnaround in conference play. The last meeting?
A thriller that ended in heartbreak for Minnesota. Cade Tyson buried a game-tying three with five seconds left, only for Wisconsin’s John Blackwell to silence the crowd with a buzzer-beating triple of his own, giving the Badgers a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.
It was a gut punch for a Minnesota team that had clawed back from a nine-point second-half deficit. Now, they’re heading into enemy territory looking to flip the script-and end a five-game slide that’s tested their depth and resolve.
What Happened Last Time Out
Minnesota’s most recent outing came against then-No. 7 Nebraska, and for a half, it looked like the Gophers might notch their third win this season over a ranked opponent.
They led 40-32 early in the second half, but a 21-4 Nebraska run flipped the game. The Gophers managed to trim the deficit to five, but the Huskers responded with a 14-0 knockout punch to seal a 76-57 win.
Despite the result, there were some bright spots. Bobby Durkin poured in 16 points-his best showing in Big Ten play-while Jaylen Crocker-Johnson added 12 points and eight boards.
Cade Tyson chipped in 12 points and five rebounds, continuing his consistent production. Kai Shinholster also stepped up with a career-high eight points off the bench.
Tyson vs. Boyd: A Scoring Showdown
Speaking of Cade Tyson, he’s been nothing short of electric this season. He’s scored in double figures in all 20 games, has nine games with 20-plus points, and two with 30 or more.
He’s currently third in the Big Ten in scoring at 20.1 points per game and ranks 34th nationally. His 401 points trail only one player in the conference-and that player will be on the court Wednesday night.
Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd, a transfer from San Diego State, is averaging 19.9 points and leads the Badgers in nearly every offensive category. He’s the engine of a high-powered Wisconsin offense that’s averaging 83.6 points per game-fourth-best in the Big Ten.
This game could come down to who gets the better of that marquee matchup: Tyson or Boyd.
Scouting the Badgers
Wisconsin enters the rematch at 14-6 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play. Before a narrow 73-71 loss to USC on Sunday, the Badgers had rattled off five straight wins, including victories over UCLA, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, and Penn State.
They’ve got firepower beyond Boyd. John Blackwell-yes, the same Blackwell who hit the dagger in Minneapolis-is averaging 18.1 points and leads the team in made threes (49), shooting 37.4% from deep.
Nolan Winter is a double-double threat every night, putting up 14.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He’s already collected nine double-doubles this season.
As a team, Wisconsin loves the perimeter game. They’ve attempted 628 threes-most in the conference-and average 10.5 made triples per game, good for third in the Big Ten. That’s a lot of volume, and when they’re hitting, they’re tough to keep up with.
Gopher Milestones and Momentum
One silver lining in the Nebraska loss: Langston Reynolds hit a career milestone, eclipsing 1,000 career points. He had seven in the game, bringing his total to 1,001-789 of those came at Northern Colorado before transferring to Minnesota, where he’s added 212 this season.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson continues to be a steady presence in the paint. He’s now posted 18 double-digit scoring games this year, including nine in Big Ten play. His 20-point effort in the first meeting with Wisconsin was a reminder of what he can do when he’s aggressive and involved.
Series Snapshot
This will be the 206th meeting between Minnesota and Wisconsin, a rivalry that dates back to 1900. The Badgers hold a 107-98 edge all-time and are 64-34 at home. The Gophers haven’t won in Madison since 2020, but with the way these two teams matched up last time, this one feels wide open.
What’s Next
After Wednesday’s border battle, the Gophers stay on the road, heading to Penn State for a Feb. 1 matchup. But first, all eyes are on Madison. Minnesota’s looking to stop the skid, settle the score, and maybe-just maybe-steal one back in the most satisfying way possible.