After watching their five-game win streak come to a screeching halt in a nail-biter against USC, the Wisconsin Badgers didn’t dwell on the loss for long. Back on their home floor at the Kohl Center, the Badgers responded exactly how a veteran-led team should - by locking in, digging deep, and grinding out a comeback win over the visiting Minnesota Golden Gophers.
This one wasn’t pretty early on. Wisconsin found itself trailing by 18 at the half, struggling to find rhythm on either end.
But the second half was a different story entirely. Fueled by grit, defense, and some timely buckets, the Badgers stormed back to secure a gutsy win and get back in the Big Ten win column.
Freshman guard John Blackwell once again showed why he’s quickly becoming a go-to guy in Madison. He poured in 23 points, doing most of his damage at the free-throw line where he went an impressive 11-for-14. His 4-for-13 shooting from the field wasn’t lights-out, but Blackwell made up for it with his aggressiveness and ability to draw contact - the kind of poise you don’t always see from a first-year player.
But the story of the night wasn’t just about points. It was about presence. And no one embodied that more than sophomore guard Jack Janicki.
Janicki’s stat line won’t jump off the page - zero points on one shot attempt, one assist, one steal, and a block in 23 minutes. But if you watched the game, you know how important he was.
He was everywhere defensively, contesting shots, disrupting passing lanes, and making life miserable for Minnesota’s guards. His biggest moment came in the final minute, when he came up with a clutch block that helped the Badgers hang onto their lead and seal the comeback.
“You look at the stat line and you wouldn’t think much of my performance,” Janicki said postgame. “But obviously I’m out there for a reason.”
He’s right. Janicki’s role isn’t to fill up the box score - it’s to impact the game in ways that don’t always show up in the numbers.
And on Wednesday night, he did exactly that. His defensive intensity helped shift the momentum, and his energy gave Wisconsin a much-needed spark during their second-half surge.
This was the second time this month that the Badgers broke Minnesota’s heart. Earlier in January, it was Blackwell who played hero, hitting a buzzer-beating three to stun the Gophers in Minneapolis.
That win was dramatic. This one was a grind.
But both showed the same thing: Wisconsin knows how to finish.
Now sitting at 15-6 overall and 7-3 in Big Ten play, the Badgers are proving they’re more than just a team with a strong starting five. They’ve got depth, resilience, and a defensive mindset that travels - all key ingredients for a deep run come March.
And if players like Janicki keep making winning plays - even when the scoreboard doesn’t show it - Wisconsin’s ceiling might be even higher than we thought.