A Tough End to a Winning Streak

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers’ five-game winning streak came to an end in a heart-wrenching 73-71 loss to USC on Sunday. The game was a rollercoaster for the Badgers, who led by as much as 12 points in the first half but ultimately couldn’t maintain their momentum.

The Trojans (15-5, 4-5) proved to be a tough opponent, especially in the second half. After leading 58-46 with 11:59 remaining, the Badgers (14-6, 6-3) struggled to find their rhythm, missing key shots and failing to capitalize on opportunities. This loss marked the first time since January 3 that Wisconsin had suffered a defeat, and it came at a particularly difficult time.

Key Players and Performance

Junior guard John Blackwell, who had 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting with five turnovers, admitted that the team’s struggles were self-inflicted. “They’re a talented, good team. They play some great defense. We just beat ourselves up on the offensive end,” he said. Despite the loss, Blackwell played a crucial role in the team’s performance, showing determination and resilience.

Head coach Greg Gard expressed frustration with the team’s inability to convert shots, especially from beyond the arc. The Badgers shot a season-low 34.3 percent overall, including 25.7 percent in the second half. From three-point range, they were even worse, hitting only 9-of-37 attempts. This lack of efficiency was compounded by poor rebounding, as USC grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, eight of which came in the second half.

Coaching Insights

Gard emphasized the importance of defensive rebounding, especially when the offense is struggling. “You have to be able to put the ball in the basket, but I felt also the defensive glass — specifically when you’re having a hard time scoring yourself, you can’t give an opponent extra opportunities and give them life,” he said.

The game started with Wisconsin trailing by as many as 10 points in the first half, but they managed to claw their way back to take a 41-39 lead at halftime. A 17-2 run helped them pull away to a 58-46 advantage with 11:59 remaining. However, USC called a timeout that effectively ended the run, and the Trojans outscored the Badgers 27-13 for the rest of the game.

Offensive Struggles

Despite the loss, there were moments of promise. Senior guard Nick Boyd was a bright spot, surpassing 1,500 total points for his career. He was 10-of-17 from the field, grabbing six rebounds and dishing out three assists in 38 minutes. “He was aggressive,” Gard said. “I thought he was doing a good job of getting his feet in the paint. Obviously, found guys, moved the ball.”

The Badgers had been on a roll during their five-game winning streak, averaging over 90 points per game and shooting 48 percent from the field. However, this game was a stark contrast, as they missed 10 shots at the rim and struggled to find consistent offense.

Looking Ahead

With the loss, Wisconsin will need to regroup quickly. They will face Minnesota on Wednesday at home, a team they previously defeated 78-75 on January 13 thanks to a last-second shot by Blackwell. While the locker room was somber after the loss, Gard remains confident in his team’s ability to bounce back.

“It’s been a while since I had a somber locker room,” he said. “We’ll be alright.”