Wisconsin Badgers
Michigan
Badgers to face Wolverines in Big Ten semifinals
March 13, 2026 | Men's Basketball
UW and Michigan to battle on Saturday at noon on CBS
CHICAGO — The No. 5-seeded Wisconsin men’s basketball team will take on top-seeded Michigan on Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament. Tip at the United Center is set for noon and the game will air live on CBS.
All-session tickets for the 29th edition of the tournament are available for purchase through TicketMaster.com. For more information on this year's tournament, visit the Big Ten Tournament Central page.
How can you not love this team? pic.twitter.com/rdWPyVzfqT
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 13, 2026
LAST TIME OUT
Fifth-seeded Wisconsin took down No. 4 seed Illinois, 91-88, in overtime on Friday afternoon at the United Center. The dynamic duo of John Blackwell and Nick Boyd combined for 69 points as Boyd enjoyed a career-high 38 points while Blackwell poured in 31, his second 30-point outing of the Big Ten Tournament. Austin Rapp had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists while Aleksas Bieliauskas had 6 points, 9 boards and 4 helpers. It marked UW’s second-straight win over Illinois this year.
Best backcourt in America 1?? pic.twitter.com/n9TkgZmjIu
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) March 13, 2026
DYNAMIC DUO
With John Blackwell and Nick Boyd both surpassing 30+ points in the win, it marked the third time in school history and first time since 1968 that 2+ Badgers have scored 30+ in a single game. Nationally, it marked the first time that the feat was achieved by two players during postseason play since at least 2004-05.
UW is now 11-0 this year when Blackwell and Boyd each score 20+ points.
BRUNCH AND BADGERS
The Badgers will host a pair of fan events in Chicago for fans on Saturday prior to its semifinal showdown with Michigan.
Get ready to cheer on the Badgers at Rocky’s Table & Tap (1801 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago IL 60612) before heading over to the United Center for the game. Saturday’s fan event will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Giveaways including roller banners, flags, and fanny packs will be available while supplies last.
Parking at Blackhawks Ice Center is free of charge during the pre-game event. However, vehicles will need to be moved to United Center parking lots for the Badgers game.
In addition, UW will have a sendoff for the team from the Hilton Hotel (720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605) at 10:15 a.m. Join the UW Band, UW Spirit Squad and Bucky Badger and cheer on the Badgers.
TOP-10 SUCCESS
Wisconsin captured its fourth top-10 win of the season, which ranks second in the country this season. The only school to have more top-10 wins this year than Wisconsin is Michigan with five.
Greg Gard has now led Wisconsin to 19 top-10 wins since taking over in 2015, the most of any coach in program history.
AGAINST THE WOLVERINES
The Badgers are the only Big Ten Conference team to defeat Michigan this season as UW defeated the Wolverines 91-88 back on Jan. 10 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. John Blackwell and Nick Boyd combined for 49 points in that victory, which was UW’s first of five wins over top-15 teams this year. Aleksas Bieliauskas had a career high 17 points thanks to five three-pointers.
It marked Michigan’s only loss in Ann Arbor this year and its only Big Ten Conference setback.
