Wisconsin Upsets No. 8 Illinois in Overtime Thriller

Badgers guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combine for 49 points in 92-90 win over the Illini

Feb. 11, 2026 at 12:07am

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In a Big Ten conference matchup, the Wisconsin Badgers defeated the 8th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini 92-90 in overtime. Wisconsin guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell led the way for the Badgers, scoring 25 and 24 points respectively. Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler had a standout performance with 34 points and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome Wisconsin's collective effort.

Why it matters

This loss is a setback for Illinois, who were looking to bounce back after an emotional overtime defeat against Michigan State. The Illini's inability to adjust their game plan and contain Wisconsin's backcourt duo raises questions about their ability to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. Meanwhile, the Badgers' gritty performance on the road against a top-10 opponent demonstrates their potential as a dark horse contender in the Big Ten.

The details

The Illini led by 10 points with 7 minutes remaining in regulation, but were unable to close out the game. Wisconsin's guards repeatedly attacked the Illinois defense, taking advantage of the absence of injured starters Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic. Despite strong efforts from the Ivisic brothers on the defensive end, Illinois struggled to contain Boyd and Blackwell, who combined for 49 points. The Illini also failed to consistently involve Tomislav Ivisic, their most dominant interior presence, down the stretch.

  • The game was played on February 10, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois.

The players

Nick Boyd

A Wisconsin Badgers guard who scored 25 points in the win over Illinois.

John Blackwell

A Wisconsin Badgers guard who scored 24 points in the win over Illinois.

Keaton Wagler

An Illinois Fighting Illini freshman guard who scored 34 points and had 7 assists in the loss.

Tomislav Ivisic

An Illinois Fighting Illini forward who was dominant in the paint but was not consistently involved in the offense down the stretch.

Zvonimir Ivisic

An Illinois Fighting Illini player who along with his brother Tomislav, played strong defense and altered numerous shots against Wisconsin's guards.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This loss highlights the need for Illinois to be more adaptable and make in-game adjustments to counter their opponents' strategies. While the Illini have embraced an analytical approach to the game, they must find a balance between their data-driven philosophy and the ability to respond to the flow of the game. If they cannot demonstrate more flexibility down the stretch, their national title aspirations may be in jeopardy.