Wisconsin’s Grit Shines in Rivalry Win Over Minnesota - and Greg Gard’s Trust Seals It
Coming off an emotional high after knocking off Michigan - a top-2 team and a NET No. 1 on the road - Wisconsin had every excuse to come out flat. Rivalry games are tricky enough, but doing it on the road, just days after a massive win?
That’s where teams either prove they’re for real or fall back to earth. The Badgers chose the former.
It wasn’t always pretty in Minneapolis. Wisconsin had to grind it out against a scrappy Minnesota squad that refused to go away. But when it mattered most, the Badgers made the plays - and head coach Greg Gard made a decision that said everything about where this team is right now.
The Final Seconds: Gard Rolls the Dice - and Wins
Tied at 75 with just seconds left, Gard had two timeouts in his pocket. Most coaches in that situation would burn one.
Set up a play, get organized, make sure everyone knows what’s coming. Gard didn’t.
He let it ride.
That’s not just a coaching decision - that’s a statement.
Gard had clearly prepared his guys for this exact moment. Rather than over-coach it, he trusted them to execute. And that trust was rewarded in the biggest way possible.
John Blackwell, a freshman who’s been growing into his role all season, took the moment into his own hands. He found his spot, rose up, and buried the buzzer-beater to seal a gutsy road win. Just like that, Wisconsin walked out of Williams Arena with another statement victory - their third in a row.
A Turning Point in the Season
Let’s rewind a bit. Earlier this season, trust wasn’t exactly the defining trait of this Wisconsin team - especially on the defensive end.
There were stretches where Gard didn’t seem fully convinced his group could lock in and close out games. But something has clearly shifted since the win over UCLA.
That game marked the beginning of what’s now a three-game win streak, each one more impressive than the last. UCLA and Minnesota both qualify as quad-2 wins - solid, resume-building victories.
But the Michigan win? That’s the kind of quad-1 road win that committee members circle when March rolls around.
And the common thread through all three? Wisconsin is playing together.
They’re trusting each other. And now, Gard is trusting them too.
Blackwell’s Moment, But a Team Statement
Blackwell’s shot will make the highlight reels - and rightfully so. It was a cold-blooded moment from a young player stepping up in a pressure-packed situation.
But this win wasn’t just about one shot or one player. It was about a team that’s finding its identity.
They’re defending better. They’re executing late. And most importantly, they’re showing the kind of composure you need to win close games on the road in Big Ten play.
Gard’s decision not to call timeout wasn’t just a coaching move - it was a reflection of where this program is heading. He prepared his team for the moment, and when it came, he let them take it. That’s the kind of belief that can galvanize a group.
What’s Next
Three straight wins, including a top-tier road victory and a buzzer-beater in a rivalry game, have put Wisconsin on a different trajectory. There’s still a long way to go in the Big Ten grind, but this team is starting to look like one that believes in itself - and has a coach who believes in them, too.
If that trust continues to grow, Wisconsin could be a team no one wants to face come March.