Wisconsin Returns to the Court After Strong January, Ready for Big Ten Clash with Indiana
After ripping through January with a 7-2 record, Wisconsin men's basketball hits the road for a pivotal Big Ten showdown against Indiana on Saturday. The Badgers have had nearly a week off-a rare breather in the grind of conference play-and now they’re looking to carry their momentum into Bloomington.
Head coach Greg Gard welcomed the break, not just to get healthier, but to tighten things up internally. In the heart of Big Ten season, where every possession is a battle and every game feels like a mini playoff, time to regroup is gold.
“It allows us to get a little healthier,” Gard said earlier this week. “But it also gives us time to work on ourselves-both ends of the floor.
We don’t get many stretches like this. Two of those days are off, but it was good for us to come up for air.”
That “come up for air” moment might be more valuable than it sounds. Wisconsin has been in a rhythm-winning seven of their last nine-but even the best rhythms need a pause button now and then.
The Badgers have been locked into a consistent cycle: game, practice, game, repeat. Gard saw the break as a way to recharge mentally and physically, while also sharpening their own identity before turning the focus to Indiana.
“You could say, ‘Hey, you’re hot right now, why not stay in rhythm?’” Gard said.
“But you need a break. It is what it is.
The byes come when they come. I think it’s been good for us.”
Now, it’s back to business.
Wisconsin heads into Assembly Hall for a noon ET tip against an Indiana squad that’s favored by 4.5 points. The Hoosiers will bring the energy-home crowd, Big Ten stakes, and a chance to defend their turf. But Wisconsin, with a week’s worth of rest and recalibration, isn’t just showing up to participate.
They’re coming in with a purpose.
This is one of those classic Big Ten matchups where toughness, execution, and composure will define the outcome. Wisconsin has been trending in the right direction, and if the time off helped them refocus and fine-tune, they could be primed to keep that momentum rolling into February.