If you were watching Wisconsin’s matchup against Penn State, you might’ve done a double take early in the first half. One moment, play was moving along without much incident.
The next, John Blackwell was hit with a technical foul-and to most watching, it came out of nowhere. No scuffle.
No obvious gesture. Just a whistle, a point, and a ref signaling the tech.
Blackwell looked stunned. The broadcast replay didn’t offer much clarity either. But after the game, head coach Greg Gard shed some light on the situation-and did so with a touch of dry humor.
According to Gard, Blackwell’s misstep wasn’t physical-it was verbal. The junior guard apparently decided to offer the officials a little unsolicited advice on how to do their job.
Gard summed it up like this: “We already have three officials. There’s not any more officials allowed than three.
Those three guys can take care of that job.”
Translation? Blackwell crossed a line.
And while Gard didn’t let it slide, he also didn’t blow it out of proportion. The Badgers were in complete control from the opening tip, leading 50-22 at halftime and cruising to a 98-71 win.
That kind of margin gives a coach the luxury of perspective. If this had been a tight contest, Gard might’ve had a different tone.
Giving away free points in a close game because of a mental lapse is the kind of thing that keeps coaches up at night.
But with the game never in doubt, Gard used the moment as a teachable one-not just for Blackwell, but for the whole team. You can be confident.
You can be vocal. But there’s a line, and when you cross it, even unintentionally, you’re putting your team in a tough spot.
Still, it’s hard not to laugh a little in hindsight. A young player trying to “officiate” mid-game? It’s the kind of moment that reminds you these are still college athletes-talented, competitive, and occasionally a little too eager.
As for the Badgers, they’re rolling right now. That win over Penn State marked their fifth straight, and more than just the scoreboard, it’s how they’re playing that stands out. Each game, they look sharper, more connected, and increasingly confident in their identity.
Now, they head back to Madison for a critical three-game homestand against USC, Minnesota, and Ohio State. It’s a chance to keep building momentum before February hits-and that’s when things get real.
Six of their next seven opponents after that stretch are quad-1 teams. That’s the kind of gauntlet that defines a season.
But if Wisconsin keeps trending upward like they have been, they’ll be ready. And hopefully, with fewer technical fouls for “helping” the refs along the way.