Nick Boyd dazzles as Wisconsin Badgers Blow Out No.10 Michigan State

Wisconsin led by as many as 24 points in a 92-71 demolition of the Spartans at the Kohl Center.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Led by the dynamic guard tandem of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, the University of Wisconsin Badgers delivered a statement victory over No. 10 Michigan State, winning 92-71 at the Kohl Center. Boyd scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half, while Blackwell scored 19 of his 24 in the second half. The Badgers hit 15 three-pointers and led by as many as 24 points in the game, the largest margin of victory against a top-10 opponent in school history.

Why it matters

This win over a top-10 team moves Wisconsin into a tie for fifth place in the Big Ten standings, just a half-game behind Nebraska and Purdue for a top-four finish and a double bye in the conference tournament. The Badgers have now picked up three Quad 1 wins and three victories over AP Top-10 opponents, solidifying their case for an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

Wisconsin came out firing, hitting its first five three-pointers and then going on a 15-0 run to break the game open. The Badgers were 10-for-17 from three in the first half and 19-for-33 overall, shooting 57.6% against a Michigan State defense ranked fourth nationally in efficiency. The Spartans' four captains - Carson Cooper, Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, and Jeremy Fears Jr. - were held in check, with only Carr scoring in double figures with 19 points. Michigan State's season-long shooting woes continued, as they finished the game shooting just 36.4% overall and 29.6% from three.

  • The game was played on February 14, 2026.

The players

Nick Boyd

A dynamic guard for the Wisconsin Badgers who scored 29 points in the game, with 20 of those coming in the first half.

John Blackwell

The other half of Wisconsin's guard tandem, Blackwell scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half to help the Badgers pull away.

Carson Cooper

The center for Michigan State, who was held in check by Wisconsin's defense and kept in foul trouble throughout the game.

Coen Carr

One of Michigan State's captains, Carr was the only Spartan to score in double figures, finishing with 19 points.

Greg Gard

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers, who led his team to a historic victory over a top-10 opponent.

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What they’re saying

“The weatherman called for storms ☔️”

— Wisconsin Badgers (Twitter)

What’s next

Wisconsin will look to build on this momentum as they hit the road to take on Ohio State, another key Big Ten opponent, on February 18th.

The takeaway

This dominant victory over a top-10 team solidifies Wisconsin's status as an NCAA Tournament contender, showcasing the Badgers' ability to win convincingly against elite competition. The team's balanced scoring attack and stifling defense will make them a tough out for any opponent as the season winds down.