Wisconsin Badgers
9-4,1-1Big Ten
Milwaukee
7-7,3-0Horizon
Badgers top Milwaukee, 80-60
December 30, 2025 | Men's Basketball
UW rounds out regular season non-conference slate with win
MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin men's basketball team (9-4, 1-1) topped Milwaukee, 80-60, to round out the regular season non-conference slate on Tuesday at the Kohl Center.
Nick Boyd finished with a team-high 16 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting. Nolan Winter joined him in double-figures with 14 points, and led the Badgers with 7 rebounds. John Blackwell had a well-balanced 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while true freshman Hayden Jones added 8 points of his own off the bench. In total, Wisconsin's bench contributed 31 points and has now chipped in 75 points across the last two contests. The Badgers averaged 14.4 bench points through the season's first 11 games.
Bucky jumped out to a 15-2 lead, holding UWM to just one field goal in the game's first nine minutes, and didn't look back from there.Â
The Badgers took a 37-21 advantage into halftime, allowing the fewest points in a first half since the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan last season. Nine Badgers were in the scoring column by the interval, the most in a half for UW this season.
UW kept the pace out of the break, augmenting the lead to 20 by game's end. The Badger defense showed out on the perimeter, holding UWM to 3-of-22 clip from three-point range – the lowest-percentage shooting performance by a Badger opponent this year.
Up Next: UW continues its home stand with a showdown against No. 5 Purdue on Saturday. Tip at the Kohl Center is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are still available on UWBadgers.Com. Fans that can't make it to Madison can watch the action live on FOX.From the Court
UW Head Coach Greg Gard
On lineup changes "What I've learned is, I have to play them all. I'm gonna mix and match them and allow them to show me who can be consistently at the front. It will change from game to game depending on the situation, maybe who's the first one off the bench, the last one off the bench. As long as they're raising our level of play while they're in there, that's what I want."
On the importance of showcasing basketball in Wisconsin "I've always said it's good when teams and programs within the state can play each other. Obviously, Milwaukee and Green Bay get each other twice. I think it's good for the state when we can exhibit basketball whether it's our series with Marquette or Green Bay and Milwaukee."
Nick BoydÂ
On what freshman Zach Kinziger provides
"It starts with his approach every single day, he comes in ready to work consistently. If you come here ready to work every single day, you'll be ready when your name is called. He just stays ready every single day…he's going to do some good things and bring that spark, so it's been great to see him step into that role."
Will Garlock
On gaining experience heading into the rest of Big Ten play
"It's been huge. We've played some more mid-major opponents, but being able to get my feet under me and being able to build that confidence, give whatever the team needs, I think the rebounding numbers and that stuff, crashing the glass and coming up with whatever the team needs."
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