No. 10 Michigan State Visits Wisconsin in Top-10 Matchup

Badgers look to take down another ranked opponent at home

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Wisconsin (17-7, 9-4) will host No. 10 Michigan State (20-4, 10-3) in a Big Ten basketball showdown at the Kohl Center. The Badgers are coming off an overtime win against No. 8 Illinois and are seeking their third top-10 victory of the season. The Spartans are also fresh off an OT win over Illinois. The two teams have split the last 12 meetings, but Wisconsin has won three of the last four, including last season's Big Ten Tournament semifinal matchup.

Why it matters

This game features two top-10 teams in the Big Ten, with Wisconsin looking to continue its strong home court advantage and Michigan State aiming to pick up a key road win. The Badgers have already knocked off a pair of top-10 opponents this season, and a win here would further bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.

The details

Wisconsin is led by a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging double figures. The Badgers' defense has also been stifling at home, holding opponents under 70 points per game. Michigan State is paced by its veteran backcourt and a deep, talented roster. The Spartans will look to impose their physical style of play and take advantage of Wisconsin's occasional turnover issues.

  • Wisconsin and Michigan State split the last 12 meetings dating back to 2020.
  • The Badgers have won three of the last four matchups, including a 77-74 victory in last season's Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

The players

Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers are a NCAA Division I basketball team that competes in the Big Ten Conference. They are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation and have a 17-7 overall record this season.

Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans are a NCAA Division I basketball team that also competes in the Big Ten Conference. They are currently ranked No. 10 in the country and have a 20-4 overall record this season.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough, physical battle against a very good Michigan State team. They've proven they can win on the road, and we'll need to match their intensity to come out on top.”

— Greg Gard, Wisconsin Head Coach (on3.com)

“This is the kind of game our team lives for - a top-10 matchup on the road against a tough, well-coached opponent. We're looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to pick up another big conference win.”

— Tom Izzo, Michigan State Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a big step towards securing a top-4 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Both teams will have a short turnaround, with Wisconsin hosting Purdue on Sunday and Michigan State returning home to face Ohio State next Tuesday.

The takeaway

This matchup between two top-10 Big Ten teams should provide an exciting, high-intensity college basketball atmosphere. The outcome could have major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament seeding and momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.