The Big Ten continues to flex its muscle as one of the deepest and most competitive conferences in college basketball. Tuesday night’s slate only reinforced that idea, with several top programs making statements - and a few others trying to prove they belong in the conversation. Let’s break down what we saw on the court and what it means moving forward.
Wisconsin 78, Minnesota 75
Badgers keep building momentum behind Blackwell’s heroics
Wisconsin is starting to look like a team that’s finding its identity at just the right time. Coming off a signature win over Michigan, the Badgers avoided a letdown in a tight battle with Minnesota. And once again, it was freshman guard John Blackwell who delivered in the clutch.
Blackwell poured in 27 points, but it wasn’t just the scoring - it was when he scored. With the game hanging in the balance, he took the final shot and buried a buzzer-beater to lift Wisconsin to its third straight win. That’s not just talent - that’s poise.
The Badgers are beginning to play with a confidence that’s hard to ignore. Blackwell’s emergence as a go-to guy adds a new dimension to a team that’s already tough defensively and well-coached. If he keeps playing like this, Wisconsin won’t just be a team to watch - they’ll be a team to fear.
No. 12 Michigan State 81, Indiana 60
Spartans’ youth steps up in a big way
Tom Izzo’s squad looked every bit the part of a top-15 team in their dominant win over Indiana - and it was the underclassmen who led the charge.
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears had a breakout performance with 23 points, his best scoring output of the season. He was aggressive, confident, and efficient - exactly what Izzo needed from his backcourt. Freshman Kur Teng added 11 points off the bench, while Jordan Scott chipped in as well, showing that this young core is starting to mature under pressure.
Indiana came into this one playing solid basketball, but Michigan State smothered the Hoosiers on both ends. The Spartans’ defense forced tough shots, and their bench outplayed Indiana’s in nearly every phase.
This was a statement win - not just because of the margin, but because of who made it happen. If the young guns keep this up, Michigan State’s ceiling gets a whole lot higher.
No. 8 Nebraska 90, Oregon 55
Cornhuskers dominate with depth and shooting
Nebraska is starting to look scary. After dismantling Indiana, the Cornhuskers followed it up with a wire-to-wire blowout of Oregon, and they did it with a lethal mix of three-point shooting and bench production.
Pryce Sandfort was lights out, dropping 28 points and going 7-for-11 from deep. His shooting stretched Oregon’s defense to the breaking point.
But it wasn’t just Sandfort - Bryce Frager came off the bench and added 23 points of his own. When you’re getting that kind of production from your second unit, you’re going to win a lot of games.
The Ducks, meanwhile, just couldn’t match Nebraska’s pace or physicality. They got only 7 points from their bench and were outscored 48-25 in the second half.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a dismantling. Nebraska is playing with purpose, and the rest of the conference is officially on notice.
USC 88, Maryland 71
Trojans make a statement behind Marsh’s breakout night
USC hasn’t had the smoothest transition into Big Ten play, but Tuesday night showed why they’re still a team with serious upside. In a matchup with Maryland, it was transfer guard Jordan Marsh who stole the show, coming off the bench to lead the Trojans with 20 points.
Marsh brought energy and efficiency, giving USC a spark that Maryland couldn’t match. The Terrapins got a massive 30-point effort from David Coit, but it wasn’t enough.
USC controlled the glass, took care of the basketball, and simply played a cleaner game. Maryland’s 12 turnovers and cold shooting stretches proved costly.
This win doesn’t vault USC into contender status just yet, but it’s a reminder of the talent they have - especially among their transfers. If they can continue to gel and clean up the details, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Landscape: Taking Shape
Tuesday night’s results helped further define the tiers within the conference. Wisconsin is surging, Michigan State is finding its rhythm with a young core, and Nebraska is flat-out rolling. Meanwhile, USC is still trying to climb into the upper tier, but they’ve shown they have the firepower to hang.
What’s clear is that the Big Ten is as deep as it’s been in years. On any given night, a team can rise - or fall - depending on who shows up. That kind of parity makes for must-watch basketball as we head deeper into conference play.
Looking Ahead: Wednesday’s Slate
Wednesday’s action features a few more matchups with postseason implications:
- Iowa vs. Purdue is the headliner.
Purdue has the edge on paper, but if Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz catches fire from deep, this one could turn into a shootout.
- **Illinois vs.
Northwestern** could get out of hand early if Northwestern doesn’t tighten up defensively.
- UCLA’s next matchup pits two gritty teams in need of a conference win - one trying to stay afloat, the other trying to find its first Big Ten victory.
- Michigan vs. Washington gives the Wolverines a chance to bounce back in a big way.
They’ll be looking to reassert themselves after a rough loss, and a dominant showing could help reset their trajectory.
As we move deeper into January, the Big Ten race is heating up - and every game is starting to feel like it matters just a little bit more.