How Wisconsin Can Follow Michigan State’s Blueprint to Beat Illinois
Illinois has been one of the most explosive teams in college basketball this season. They’re currently sitting atop KenPom’s offensive efficiency rankings, and with good reason.
Between their high-powered scoring attack and the emergence of true freshman Keaton Wagler, the Illini have looked every bit like a Final Four contender. But even the best teams have their vulnerabilities-and Michigan State just exposed a few.
Tom Izzo’s Spartans handed Illinois a rare conference loss, and in doing so, they laid out a three-part formula that Greg Gard and Wisconsin would be wise to study. If the Badgers are going to take down this top-five Illinois squad, it starts with replicating what worked for Sparty.
1. Disrupt Keaton Wagler’s Rhythm
Keaton Wagler has been lighting up scoreboards all season. Before facing Michigan State, he dropped 28, 22, and a jaw-dropping 46 points in his last three full games-excluding a blowout against Northwestern where he saw limited minutes. But against the Spartans, Wagler ran into a wall.
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. was relentless. He stayed glued to Wagler all night, never giving him space to operate or get comfortable.
The result? Wagler finished with 16 points, but 10 of those came from the free-throw line.
From the field, he shot a rough 2-of-16 and just 2-of-8 from deep. That’s not just a cold night-it’s a defensive statement.
Wisconsin doesn’t need to shut Wagler down completely, but they do need to make him work for everything. That means tight, physical defense, smart help rotations, and someone willing to take on the challenge of shadowing one of the most dynamic freshmen in the nation. If the Badgers can throw Wagler off his rhythm early, they’ll have a shot at controlling the game’s tempo.
2. Win the Hustle Battle on the Glass
Illinois has size and athleticism, but Michigan State showed that rebounding isn’t just about height-it’s about effort. Despite being undersized, the Spartans out-rebounded Illinois 48-38.
And it wasn’t just the raw numbers-it was the timing of those boards. Key second-chance rebounds, momentum-killing defensive stops, and sheer hustle plays made the difference.
For Wisconsin, this is an area that’s been hit or miss. But there’s been a noticeable uptick in energy, particularly from Carrington at the wing. His willingness to crash the boards has sparked the rest of the lineup, and that kind of collective rebounding mindset is exactly what it’ll take to match Illinois on the glass.
It’s not about dominating the boards-it’s about winning the key ones. The 50/50 balls.
The long rebounds. The gritty second-chance efforts.
If Wisconsin can match Michigan State’s tenacity, they’ll give themselves a real shot at controlling possessions.
3. Let Nick Boyd Control the Tempo
One of the most underrated aspects of Michigan State’s win? Pace control.
Illinois thrives in transition, and when they get out and run, it’s hard to keep up. But the Spartans didn’t let them.
They slowed the game down when needed, and when they did push the tempo, it was on their terms-led by the lightning-quick Jeremy Fears Jr.
Fears was electric, using his speed to slice through Illinois’ defense and create opportunities before they could get set. That’s where Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd comes into play. He’s got that same burst, and Greg Gard has already pointed to Boyd’s speed as one of the team’s biggest assets.
This is Boyd’s moment. If he can pick his spots, push the pace when Illinois is vulnerable, and keep the offense organized in the half court, he could be the X-factor. Illinois struggled to contain Fears once he found his rhythm-Boyd has the tools to do something similar.
The Blueprint is There
Michigan State didn’t just beat Illinois-they cracked the code, at least for one night. They took away Wagler’s comfort zone, outworked them on the boards, and dictated the pace.
Wisconsin doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. The formula is there, and the pieces are in place.
If the Badgers can bring that same level of defensive intensity, rebound with purpose, and let Boyd dictate tempo, they’ll have a real chance to walk away with their second top-five win of the season.
And in a Big Ten race that’s still wide open, that kind of win could go a long way.