Wisconsin Eyes Another Statement Win as Michigan State Comes to Town
Coming off one of their biggest wins of the season - a gritty road upset over No. 8 Illinois - Wisconsin men’s basketball is riding high.
And now, with momentum on their side, the Badgers have a chance to double down on top-10 victories in the same week. Friday night, they welcome Michigan State to the Kohl Center in what’s shaping up to be a heavyweight Big Ten clash.
Wisconsin has had the upper hand in recent meetings, taking three of the last four against the Spartans, including a split in last season’s series. But this isn’t just about history - it’s about two teams trying to build late-season momentum in a conference where every game feels like a battle.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo knows exactly what his team is up against.
“Unfortunately, now we play one of the hottest teams in the league,” Izzo said earlier this week. “These guys have won eight out of ten.”
That stretch has turned Wisconsin into one of the most dangerous teams in the Big Ten, and a lot of that has to do with how they’re shooting the ball. The Badgers are letting it fly from deep - averaging over 30 three-point attempts per game - and they’re doing it with confidence and rhythm.
At the heart of that offensive firepower is their dynamic backcourt duo: Boyd and Blackwell. Izzo didn’t hold back in his praise.
“They’ve got maybe the best backcourt duo in Boyd and Blackwell - not only in the league, but I think one of the better ones in the country,” he said.
Boyd brings speed and playmaking, the kind of guard who can break down a defense and create something out of nothing. Blackwell, meanwhile, is the total package - a physical two-way force who can guard, shoot from deep, finish at the rim, and distribute when needed. He’s the kind of player every coach wants and hates to coach against.
“If I wasn’t playing against him, I think he’d be one of my favorite players,” Izzo admitted. “He guards, he’s tough, he’s strong, he can get to the rim, he can shoot 3s, he can pass it. He’s definitely one of the better players in our league.”
But Wisconsin’s strength doesn’t stop at the guard spot. Forward Winter has been steadily improving, bringing size, rebounding, and a reliable shooting touch to the frontcourt. He’s the kind of veteran presence that gives the Badgers balance - a physical counterpunch to their perimeter attack.
And then there’s Rapp, the sharp-shooting transfer who’s quickly become a key piece off the bench. He’s coming off back-to-back games with four made threes, and his shooting pedigree is no fluke - he knocked down 83 triples last season at Portland. That kind of floor spacing is a game-changer, especially in a conference where every possession is a grind.
“Doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at - 83 threes is a lot,” Izzo said.
The Spartans know all too well how tough it is to win on the road in the Big Ten, and the Kohl Center is one of the league’s toughest venues. Izzo called it “one of the better places to play in the league,” and he’s right - Wisconsin fans bring the energy, and the Badgers feed off it.
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m., and despite the recent hot streak, Wisconsin enters the game as a slight one-point underdog. But if they keep shooting the way they have - and if Boyd and Blackwell continue to control the backcourt - the Badgers could be staring down another signature win.
It’s February, and the stakes are rising. Wisconsin looks ready for the moment.