Wisconsin Badgers
14-6,6-3Big Ten
USC
15-5,4-5Big Ten
Badgers fall to USC, 73-71
January 25, 2026 | Men's Basketball
UW loses first game in last six outings
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's basketball team fell to USC, 73-69, Sunday at the Kohl Center.
Nick Boyd led the Badgers with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. It's his 11th game with 20-plus points this season, which ranks second in the Big Ten.
John Blackwell added 11 points and 9 rebounds, while Nolan Winter had 12 points and 6 boards.Â
After falling behind early, Wisconsin clawed back at the end of the first half, stifling USC's offense to gain the lead. UW held the Trojans without a field goal for the final 2:40, while Bucky made their final four shots of the half. Austin Rapp's corner three-pointer gave the Badgers a 41-39 advantage into intermission. Boyd ended the period with 16 points.
Boyd kept pouring it in out of the locker room, sparking a solo 7-0 run after USC's first two buckets of the half. The Badger reinforcements came moments later, propelling that run to a 17-2 team spurt – capped by a Winter slam and Carrington three-ball – with 12 minutes remaining.
USC battled back with a 16-2 run of its own to take the lead with two minutes remaining. The Trojans held on from there thanks to two late buckets down the stretch. Â
Up Next: Wisconsin continues its homestand with a rivalry game against Minnesota on Wednesday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. CT and tickets are available on UWBadgers.Com. Fans that can't make it to the Kohl can watch the action on Big Ten Network.Â
From the Court
Head Coach Greg Gard
On the Loss
"You have to be able to overcome rough shooting afternoons. I didn't like our start from a defensive standpoint. We clawed our way back there. We have to be able to guard better without fouling. We let them get to the bonus too quickly, specifically in the second half."
