The Wisconsin Badgers have improved to 4-2 in Big Ten Conference play after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers behind a wild John Blackwell shot.
Wisconsin entered the game as victors in the past two Big Ten challenges against UCLA and #2 Michigan. The Badgers pulled off the massive upset over the Wolverines but failed to ride the momentum into the Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
The Golden Gophers got out to a 20-14 lead halfway through the first-half and did not look back. Wisconsin entered the half down 35-28. Blackwell led a 50-point second-half for the Badgers that was capped off with a buzzer-beater to win the game.
Wisconsin Badgers Defeat Minnesota Golden Gophers, 78-75, Behind John Blackwell
In addition to taking and making the game-winning shot, Blackwell totaled 27 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The guard sank five three-point field goals as Wisconsin shot 42% from beyond the arc as a team against Minnesota.
Former Minnesota guard Braeden Carrington played 27 minutes against his old team as the boos rained down from the Golden Gophers’ crowd. Carrington scored a season-high 21 points off of the bench for Wisconsin while adding five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
Forward Nolan Winter recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The forward added two assists and a block as the defensive success of Winter continues to be seen. Last season Winter recorded 15 blocks in 37 games. Currently, the forward has 19 blocks this season through 16 games with six multi block games.
Next Up: (9-8) Rutgers Scarlet Knights, January 17th
Despite the exciting method of victory, Minnesota was a team that was expected to be a tough challenge for Wisconsin. The Badgers entered the contest as just two-point favorites and figuring out the Golden Gophers’ defense proved to be a difficult task.
With the win secured, Wisconsin will now need to shift focus towards the visiting Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is 9-8 on the season and 2-4 in the Big Ten Conference with losses to Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan, and Purdue. The Scarlet Knights needed overtime to defeat both Oregon and Northwestern at home.
The key to the Rutgers’ offense this season has been guard Tariq Francis, who has scored 30 or more points three times in the last six games. The Badgers will need to slow down Francis as the guard is the life of the team and secondary scoring options are not as strong.
Looking beyond Rutgers, Wisconsin will play Penn State and USC before hosting Minnesota at the Kohl Center. The Badgers will then end the month of January against the 11-5 Ohio State Buckeyes who are led by veteran guard Bruce Thornton.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter (X) @JarrettGuerrera, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all things Wisconsin sports, click here
