Nick Boyd was unstoppable on Sunday afternoon, leading the Wisconsin Badgers to a commanding 84-71 victory over Iowa. Despite Iowa's best efforts to stifle him, Boyd delivered a performance that had the Kohl Center buzzing.
With 27 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds, Boyd was just one board shy of a historic triple-double for Wisconsin. His ability to slice through Iowa’s defense, make tough shots at the rim, and distribute the ball with precision was nothing short of remarkable.
Boyd's energy was infectious, both on and off the court. "I've got to bring that juice," he said post-game.
"That's the best part of my game. I feel like mine is just contagious."
His teammate, forward Nolan Winter, was often the beneficiary of Boyd's dazzling playmaking. "He's just kind of a magician with the ball," Winter noted. Boyd consistently found Winter for powerful finishes, especially as the Badgers erased an early nine-point deficit.
Boyd's court vision was on full display as he threaded passes through tight spaces, setting up Wisconsin's big men like Winter and Austin Rapp for emphatic dunks. His perimeter passing also kept Iowa's defense on its heels, allowing the Badgers to pull away in the second half.
The crowd fed off Boyd's passion and flair. "He plays with emotion, he plays with fire and he backs it up," said head coach Greg Gard. "He was the best player on the floor today."
Gard did pull Boyd from the game with just under 30 seconds left, prioritizing his health over the chance for a triple-double. But Boyd's focus was never on personal accolades; his mission was to secure a win, and he did just that with style and determination.