Wisconsin trailed by 12 late in the second half on Tuesday night, but erased the deficit to eventually win in overtime against No. 8 Illinois. It's becoming a theme for the Badgers this year to become giant slayers after wins over No. 2 Michigan and now Illinois. It's obvious that Wisconsin isn't backing down against anyone and guard John Blackwell is making sure everyone knows it.
Blackwell scored 24 points in the win and dropped priceless quote postgame that will put every other team on upset alert.
"We're not quitters, and we're the villains," said Blackwell after taking down yet another top-ranked team.
John Blackwell: "We're not quitters, and we're the villains."#Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) February 11, 2026
The Badgers are quietly becoming a team to fear in the Big Ten after another huge upet win
Wisconsin hasn't always played their best basketball against Illinois, and although the Illini were shorthanded, the Badgers handed them their second-straight loss this week. With another statement win, the Badgers are clearly becoming a force to be reckoned with down the stretch here in February.
Nick Boyd and Blackwell combined for 49 points on the night, and have quietly become one of the nation's premier backcourts. If it wasn't obvious before Blackwell's quote, the duo are ferocious competitors and can never be counted out. Wisconsin is now winners of eight of their last ten, with the two losses by a combined three points and a questionable call or two.
While the Badgers have been toeing the line of a bubble team in this years NCAA Tournament, they put those questions to rest with another win over a top-ranked opponent. With tonight's win, Wisconsin now has victories over the No. 1 and 4 teams in the NET rankings, further boosting their tournament resume.
Wisconsin will look to keep their upset streak alive when the No. 10 ranked Michigan State Spartans come to town on Feb. 13.