Badgers Handle Buckeyes in High-Scoring Battle at the Kohl Center
In a game packed with energy, pace, and plenty of offense, Wisconsin took care of business on their home floor, knocking off Ohio State 92-82 on Saturday at the Kohl Center. This one had the feel of a classic Big Ten showdown-physical, fast, and filled with momentum swings-but it was the Badgers who executed down the stretch and walked away with a statement win.
Let’s break it down.
Wisconsin’s Offense Finds Its Rhythm Early
From the opening tip, Wisconsin came out with purpose. Their ball movement was crisp, their spacing intentional, and they made Ohio State pay when defensive rotations lagged behind. Guard John Blackwell set the tone early, drilling a three-pointer in the first half as Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler looked on-one of several moments where the Badgers’ perimeter shooting put the Buckeyes on their heels.
Nick Boyd added to the early surge, getting into the lane and finishing through contact against Ohio State’s Gabe Cupps. Wisconsin attacked mismatches with confidence, and the result was a balanced scoring effort that kept the Buckeyes chasing.
Frontcourt Physicality Sets the Tone
Wisconsin’s bigs weren’t just there to set screens and box out-they were active, aggressive, and impactful on both ends. Aleksas Bieliauskas was a presence all night, battling inside and trying to clean up second-chance opportunities. Whether it was tipping in missed shots or drawing defenders into the paint, he gave Wisconsin valuable minutes in the frontcourt.
Austin Rapp added a spark of his own, knocking down a three-pointer in the first half and letting the crowd know about it. His energy was contagious, and it helped Wisconsin maintain momentum during key stretches.
Ohio State Shows Fight, But Can’t Close the Gap
To their credit, the Buckeyes didn’t roll over. Bruce Thornton had moments where he imposed his will defensively, including a strong stop on Boyd in the first half. Amare Bynum also made his presence felt, scoring over Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter and later swatting a shot by Braeden Carrington, sending a message that Ohio State wasn’t going quietly.
But while the Buckeyes had their moments, they struggled to string together stops when they needed them most. Wisconsin’s offensive execution-particularly in the second half-kept Ohio State at arm’s length. Every time the Buckeyes made a push, the Badgers had an answer.
Coaching Chess Match
Greg Gard had his team well-prepared, and it showed in their composure and shot selection. Whether it was managing rotations or drawing up plays to exploit Ohio State’s defensive lapses, Gard pushed the right buttons throughout the night.
On the other side, Jake Diebler was animated on the sidelines, trying to rally his team and make in-game adjustments. He spent time in deep conversation with Bynum during the first half, likely looking for ways to get more out of his young forward. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome Wisconsin’s offensive rhythm and home-court advantage.
Final Thoughts
This was a solid win for Wisconsin-one that showcased their offensive depth, frontcourt toughness, and ability to close out a high-scoring game. Beating a conference rival like Ohio State by double digits doesn’t just look good in the standings-it builds confidence heading into the heart of Big Ten play.
For Ohio State, the talent is there, and the effort was evident. But if they want to climb the conference ladder, they’ll need to tighten things up defensively and find more consistency in their half-court sets.
Saturday night in Madison was a reminder of what Big Ten basketball is all about-gritty, skilled, and never short on drama. And for the Badgers, it was a night where everything clicked.