Wisconsin went into their rivals' house after an emotional top-2 win over Michigan and yet still pulled off the victory over Minnesota. It wasn't pretty at times, and it took some incredible individual efforts and a buzzer-beater, but it happened, and it was beautiful. Though Seth Davis, a CBS Sports broadcaster and basketball lover, noticed a gutsy move by Greg Gard that may have helped seal the deal for Wisconsin.
Greg Gard had two time outs but didn’t call one. He prepared his guys for this moment and trusted them. That trust was rewarded. Great great win. https://t.co/aMkm2C32zy
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 14, 2026
Greg Gard trusted his players in the final seconds against Minnesota and it worked
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With only a few seconds on the clock, Minnesota had tied the game at 75-75. Greg Gard has two timeouts in his pockets, with the ball. However, instead of calling a timeout, he let the game play out. He trusted his players to finish it the way it needed to be finished. He may not have called a three-point play from John Blackwell as the game was tied, and any bucket would do it.
However, that faith and gamble paid off as Blackwell went to his spot and made the buzzer beater. A huge moment for Wisconsin basketball, John Blackwell, Greg Gard, but most importantly, this team
Trust hasn't been exactly part of the equation this season for Gard and his squad. In fact, you could argue it's been the opposite of trust. He hasn't quite trusted the team, especially on defense. However, since the UCLA game, something has shifted in this team and in Gard's trust of this team.
They have now won three tough games in a row. UCLA and Minnesota both have quad-2 wins, and the win over Michigan was the best quad-1 win you can have. It was a NET 1 opponent on the road. Those three games in a row have given Gard confidence that his guys are finally doing what it takes to win. Playing together and trusting the plan.