Wisconsin Rallies Past Minnesota, Now Turns Focus to Red-Hot Ohio State Backcourt
Don’t let the box score fool you-this was a tale of two halves at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin, after a sluggish 17-point first half that had fans wondering if a letdown was brewing, flipped the switch in the second. The Badgers poured in 50 points after the break to erase a double-digit deficit and stun Minnesota in a comeback that felt as gritty as it was improbable.
John Blackwell led the charge with 23 points, bouncing back in a big way after a tough outing against USC. His resurgence was a major spark for a Badgers team that needed someone to take control offensively. And he delivered-timely shots, confident drives, and a poise that belied his previous struggles.
But there’s no time to dwell on the comeback. Another Big Ten battle looms-and this one comes with plenty of intrigue.
Ohio State Comes to Town Riding Momentum-and a Dynamic Backcourt
Next up: the Ohio State Buckeyes, who roll into Madison on January 31st for the first of two meetings this season. The rematch is just weeks away in Columbus, but for now, the focus is on what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes clash at the Kohl Center.
The Buckeyes are 5-3 in January, picking up steam with recent wins over UCLA, Minnesota, and Penn State. After a hot start to the season-six straight wins, including one over Notre Dame-Ohio State cooled off a bit, but they’ve found their rhythm again. And it starts with their backcourt.
Mobley and Thornton: The Engine Behind the Buckeyes' Offense
Sophomore guard John Mobley Jr. has been electric. He’s averaging 16.1 points per game, shooting 44.1% from the field and a blistering 41.9% from deep.
Over the last four games, he’s hit 20 threes and has topped the 20-point mark in each of them. When Mobley gets hot, he stretches defenses and opens up the floor for everyone else.
But if Mobley is the spark, Bruce Thornton is the steady flame. The veteran guard leads the Buckeyes with 19.1 points per game, shooting an efficient 55.4% from the field and 40.4% from beyond the arc. Thornton has started all 122 games in his college career-a remarkable feat of consistency and durability.
He’s had some explosive outings this season, including a 38-point performance against Purdue Fort Wayne and 34 against Illinois, where he missed just seven of 34 combined shots in those two games. That’s elite-level efficiency. While he’s been quieter in his last two games-scoring a total of 19 points against Michigan and Penn State-he’s always a threat to erupt.
Wisconsin’s Defensive Focus: Contain the Guards, Control the Game
For Wisconsin, the game plan is clear: slow down Mobley and Thornton. Easier said than done, of course, but the formula is straightforward.
The Buckeyes’ offense flows through their guards. When those two are clicking, Ohio State’s pace picks up, their spacing improves, and their offense becomes a handful.
Ohio State’s roster leans forward-heavy, but without Mobley and Thornton setting the tone, the rhythm breaks down. That’s where Wisconsin’s defense needs to make its mark-by disrupting the perimeter, contesting shots, and forcing the Buckeyes into uncomfortable possessions.
Series History Favors Wisconsin at Home
Since 2009, Wisconsin holds a 15-11 edge over Ohio State, including three straight wins-two of them in Madison. The Kohl Center has been kind to the Badgers in this matchup, and they’ll be looking to keep that trend alive.
But this one won’t come easy. The Buckeyes are surging, their guards are in rhythm, and they’ve got revenge on their minds after recent losses in Madison. For the Badgers, it’s another test of resilience, execution, and whether that second-half spark against Minnesota can carry over into a full 40-minute effort.
Tip-off is coming. And with the way both teams are trending, expect fireworks in Madison.