Hoosiers Edge Badgers in Gritty Big Ten Battle at Assembly Hall
On a cold February night in Bloomington, Indiana, the Hoosiers and Badgers delivered the kind of Big Ten showdown that lives up to the conference’s reputation for physical, grind-it-out basketball. Indiana came out on top in a tightly contested game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, fueled by timely defense, clutch free throws, and a late-game composure that proved just enough to outlast Wisconsin.
From the opening tip, this one had the feel of a slugfest. Both teams leaned into their defensive identities, contesting every shot, battling for every board, and making sure nothing came easy.
Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd was active early, crashing the glass and fighting through contact to give the Badgers some second-chance opportunities. But Indiana’s Lamar Wilkerson responded with energy of his own, disrupting passing lanes and stripping Boyd on a key possession in the first half to swing momentum.
The frontcourt battle was equally intense. Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter made his presence felt on both ends-first with a massive block on Reed Bailey that sent a jolt through the Badgers’ bench, then by stepping out and knocking down a three-pointer that kept the game within reach. Winter’s ability to stretch the floor while protecting the rim gave Wisconsin a much-needed spark when the offense stalled.
Indiana, though, had answers. Wilkerson continued to be a thorn in Wisconsin’s side, and when the game tightened late in regulation, he stepped to the line with poise. His free throws down the stretch helped tie the game and set up a dramatic finish.
With the clock winding down in regulation, Wisconsin turned to John Blackwell for a potential game-winner. Isolated at the top, Blackwell rose up over Indiana’s Jasai Miles, but the shot came up just short. It was a clean look, a shot he’s hit before, but not this time.
In the extra minutes, Indiana leaned on their home crowd and their defense. Sam Alexis and the Hoosiers brought the energy, celebrating key stops and rebounds as the game swung in their favor.
Head coach Darian DeVries kept his team focused, working the officials when necessary but mostly trusting his players to execute. And execute they did.
Blackwell, who had been a steady hand all game, showed visible frustration with a late call that didn’t go Wisconsin’s way. It was that kind of game-every possession felt like a war, every whistle was magnified.
When the final horn sounded, it was Indiana who stood tall, celebrating a hard-earned victory in front of a raucous home crowd. For the Hoosiers, it was a statement win in a conference where every game counts and every win feels like it’s been clawed from granite.
For Wisconsin, there’s no shame in the effort. Boyd, Winter, and Blackwell all had moments, and the Badgers showed the kind of toughness that will serve them well as the Big Ten schedule grinds on. But in Bloomington on this night, it was Indiana who made just a few more plays when it mattered most.