John Blackwell’s career-high 34 points, including six three-pointers, propelled No. 23 Wisconsin to an 85-82 victory over Washington in a tense Big Ten Tournament third-round game, showcasing the Badgers’ offensive firepower and clutch execution under pressure.
In a game that swung on momentum and three-point shooting, Wisconsin’s John Blackwell delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a career-high 34 points with six triples to lead the No. 23 Badgers past Washington 85-82 in the Big Ten Tournament’s third round. The victory, secured in the final seconds, advances Wisconsin to the quarterfinals against No. 9 Illinois and underscores their status as a deep offensive team capable of winning tight contests.
Wisconsin built an 18-point lead in the second half, only to see Washington claw back to within one point late. The Huskies’ Zoom Diallo missed a potential game-tying three at the buzzer after Andrew Rohde sank two free throws with eight seconds left to extend the lead to three. This finish highlighted both Wisconsin’s resilience and concerning defensive lapses, as they allowed a 17-2 Washington run to shrink the lead dramatically.
The Badgers’ three-point attack was relentless, with Blackwell going 6-for-12 from deep and Nick Boyd adding 23 points on 5-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Wisconsin nailed 15 threes in this game, following a school-record 18 in a road win over Purdue and marking their Big Ten-leading 23rd game with 10 or more three-pointers this season. This volume from distance has become a hallmark, redefining Wisconsin’s offense under coach Greg Gard and stretching defenses thin.
For Washington, Hannes Steinbach dominated inside with 25 points and 16 rebounds, while Diallo’s 24 points kept the Huskies within striking distance. Despite their effort, Washington finished the season 16-17 and exits the tournament, leaving questions about their consistency after a strong push late.
Key Statistics from the Victory
- John Blackwell: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 6-of-12 from three-point range
- Nick Boyd: 23 points, 5-of-6 from beyond the arc
- Wisconsin team: 15 three-pointers; 23rd game this season with 10+ threes (Big Ten lead)
- Andrew Rohde: 2 clutch free throws in final 8 seconds
- Washington: Hannes Steinbach (25 points, 16 rebounds), Zoom Diallo (24 points)
Upcoming Challenge: Illinois Rematch Looms
Wisconsin’s quarterfinal opponent is No. 9 Illinois, which earned a bye through the first three rounds. This sets up a rematch of a February 10 game where Wisconsin squeezed out a 92-90 overtime win in Champaign. In that contest, Boyd scored 25 points and Blackwell added 24, providing a blueprint for how the Badgers can attack the Illini again. Illinois’ rest advantage could be a factor, but Wisconsin’s momentum from this gritty win might offset it.
Broader Implications for Wisconsin’s Season and Beyond
This victory solidifies Wisconsin’s case for a high NCAA tournament seed, maintaining their Top 25 ranking as reported in the AP Top 25 Poll. Blackwell’s emergence as a primary scoring option—following his consistent performance all season—boosts his NBA draft stock and shifts Wisconsin’s offensive identity toward perimeter scoring. Fans are buzzing about whether this three-point barrage can sustain through March, but defensive vulnerabilities, like allowing an 18-point lead to vanish, remain a concern.
The fan community is already debating Wisconsin’s ceiling: can they make a deep NCAA run with this offense? And how will they handle Illinois’ physical defense in the rematch? These questions add urgency to every tournament game, making this victory a critical stepping stone.
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