Badgers set to take on Illini in Big Ten Quarters

Wisconsin escapes late scare against Washington, now faces healthy Illinois team

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:50pm

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The #23 and fifth-seeded Wisconsin Badgers escaped a late scare against Washington in the Big Ten Tournament, winning 85-82 and advancing to the quarterfinals. John Blackwell led the way with 34 points, while Nick Boyd added 23 points and 9 assists. Now, the Badgers will face a healthy Illinois team, who they beat earlier this season in a thriller.

Why it matters

This matchup between Wisconsin and Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals features two teams that had close battles during the regular season. Both squads are looking to make a deep run in the conference tournament, with the winner potentially earning a higher seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The details

In the win over Washington, the Badgers had to battle some foul trouble and went smaller at times, putting the ball in the hands of Blackwell who made a big play late. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard praised Blackwell's performance, saying "you can tell when he has this look in his eye." Now the Badgers will face an Illinois team that has its two impressive guards, Kylan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, back healthy after missing their previous matchup.

  • The game tips off at the United Center around 30 minutes after the Michigan-Ohio State matchup is done.
  • Wisconsin beat Illinois in a thriller on the road in Champaign earlier this season.

The players

John Blackwell

The star player for Wisconsin, finishing with 34 points in the win over Washington.

Nick Boyd

Wisconsin guard who added 23 points and 9 assists in the victory.

Greg Gard

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers.

Kylan Boswell

One of the impressive guards for the Illinois Illini who missed the previous matchup against Wisconsin.

Andrej Stojakovic

The other talented guard for Illinois who is now healthy after missing the earlier game against the Badgers.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I mean, you get to this time and obviously guard play is essential, right? I got two of the best in the country. But, you know, for him, you can tell when he has this look in his eye. And I can tell the other way, too (smiles), when he doesn't have the look in his eye.”

— Greg Gard, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers

“We had to battle some foul trouble, so we went smaller at times. And they went smaller a little bit, too, with four guards. So, you know, put the ball in his hands. There at the end off that timeout, he made a big play. We did a lot of things that we can't repeat or we won't be playing long, defensively. But, give Washington credit– they obviously played desperately, and they had to.”

— Greg Gard, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers

What’s next

The winner of the Wisconsin-Illinois matchup will advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

The takeaway

This Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal clash between Wisconsin and Illinois features two teams that know each other well after a close regular season battle. Both squads are looking to make a deep run in the conference tournament and potentially earn a higher seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.