No. 10 Michigan State Visits Wisconsin in Big Ten Showdown

Badgers look to knock off third top 10 opponent this season

Feb. 13, 2026 at 11:07am

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Wisconsin (17-7, 9-4) has won eight of its last 10 games and will host No. 10 Michigan State (20-4, 10-3) in a Big Ten Conference matchup. The Badgers are seeking their third win over a top 10 team this season, having already defeated two ranked opponents. Wisconsin has shown the ability to rally from double-digit deficits, but the Spartans may not give them a second life if they jump out to an early lead.

Why it matters

This game is an important test for Wisconsin as they look to prove they are a legitimate contender in the Big Ten. Michigan State has been one of the top teams in the conference, so a win over the Spartans would be a significant resume-building victory for the Badgers.

The details

Wisconsin has won three of the last four meetings with Michigan State, but Badgers head coach Greg Gard is just 6-12 against the Spartans. The Badgers have been able to erase double-digit deficits in five of their last nine games, including a comeback win at No. 8 Illinois on Tuesday. However, Michigan State is known for its strong defense, ranking 30th nationally in 3-point defense at 30.8%.

  • The game will tip off at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • Wisconsin has won eight of its last 10 games.

The players

Jeremy Fears

A 6-2 sophomore guard for Michigan State who is averaging 15.1 points and 9.1 assists per game.

Nick Boyd

A 6-2 senior guard for Wisconsin who is averaging 20.0 points and 3.7 assists per game.

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What they’re saying

“This team plays with such a chip on its shoulder. This game is about runs. They're at home. They made some tough shots. We just keep chipping away at the lead and eventually close it out.”

— John Blackwell, Junior guard (on3.com)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a high seed in the Big Ten Tournament and potentially the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top teams in the Big Ten will provide a good barometer for where Wisconsin stands in the conference hierarchy. A win over the 10th-ranked Spartans would be a significant boost to the Badgers' NCAA Tournament resume.