The Wisconsin Badgers are no strangers to the gauntlet this season. They've already faced five ranked opponents, with four of those battles coming on the road-a true test of grit for any team, let alone one navigating the always-unforgiving Big Ten. Sitting at 17-7 overall and 9-4 in conference play, Greg Gard’s squad has weathered the storm with a 2-3 record in those ranked matchups, but the timing of their recent wins couldn’t be better.
After early-season losses to BYU and Nebraska, the Badgers have flipped the script with statement road victories over Michigan and Illinois-two of the most impressive wins on any team’s résumé this season. The overtime thriller in Champaign earlier this week didn’t just give Wisconsin a top-10 win; it injected serious momentum into a team looking to make a late-season push.
Now, they’re staring down another marquee matchup, this time at home. No.
10 Michigan State comes to the Kohl Center on Friday night, and the stakes are high. Not only is it a chance for the Badgers to notch back-to-back wins over top-10 opponents, but it’s also a pivotal game in the Big Ten standings.
A win would pull Wisconsin into a three-way tie in the loss column with the Spartans and UCLA, tightening the race in a conference where every game feels like a playoff.
The Spartans, at 20-4 overall and 10-3 in the Big Ten, are part of a logjam near the top of the standings. But they’re not invincible.
Michigan State has allowed 80 or more points just three times all season, but that’s precisely the number Wisconsin has circled. The Badgers are a perfect 15-0 when they hit the 80-point mark-a stat that’s starting to feel less like a coincidence and more like a blueprint.
And if their performance at Illinois is any indication, they’re heating up at the right time. Wisconsin drained a season-high 16 threes in that game, stretching the floor and forcing a talented Illini defense to scramble. That kind of perimeter shooting, combined with the steady scoring of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell-who are averaging nearly 39 points per game between them-gives the Badgers a puncher's chance against anyone.
This is also a team that’s proven it can hang with Michigan State. Wisconsin has taken five of the last nine meetings, including a win in the Big Ten tournament last year. The Spartans may have the higher ranking, but history says this matchup is anything but one-sided.
Game Info:
- Date: Friday, Feb. 13
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- TV: FOX (Channel 6 in Milwaukee)
- Stream: FOX Sports app, FOX One app, or Fubo (free trial available)
- Radio: AM-1130 (WISN) and statewide network
- SiriusXM: Wisconsin broadcast on Channel 84; Michigan State on Channel 195
- Announcers (TV): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Steve Smith (analyst)
- Announcers (Radio): Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Brian Butch (analyst)
Betting Lines (via BetMGM as of Feb. 13):
- Spread: Michigan State -1.5
- Over/Under: 148.5
- Moneyline: Wisconsin +115, Michigan State -140
What’s Next for the Badgers:
- Feb. 17: at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 22: vs.
Iowa, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 25: at Oregon, 10 p.m.
- Feb. 28: at Washington, 3 p.m.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, but Friday night’s showdown is a golden opportunity. With the Big Ten standings tightening and March creeping closer, this is the kind of game that can define a season.
The Badgers are at home, coming off a signature win, and looking to prove they belong in the upper tier of college basketball. Let’s see if they can rise to the moment-again.