Wisconsin Badgers Defeat No. 10 Michigan State Spartans

Greg Gard's consistent coaching formula leads to big win over top-10 opponent

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team defeated the 10th-ranked Michigan State Spartans 92-71, in a game that highlighted Greg Gard's ability to keep the Badgers consistently competitive in the Big Ten. Gard's steady approach and commitment to the program's core values have allowed Wisconsin to remain one of the top teams in the conference over the past several seasons.

Why it matters

Wisconsin's win over Michigan State is a testament to Greg Gard's coaching philosophy, which emphasizes staying true to the program's identity rather than constantly chasing the latest trends. This approach has allowed the Badgers to maintain their status as one of the Big Ten's elite teams, even as other programs have experienced more volatility.

The details

In the 92-71 victory, Wisconsin played significantly better than Michigan State, according to Spartans head coach Tom Izzo. The 21-point margin of victory was the Badgers' largest against Michigan State in nearly 15 years. Wisconsin has now won four of the last five matchups against the Spartans, continuing a trend of consistent success under Gard's leadership.

  • Wisconsin's 92-71 win over No. 10 Michigan State occurred on February 15, 2026.
  • The Badgers' last double-digit loss to the Spartans was in 2022.

The players

Greg Gard

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team, who has led the program to consistent success in the Big Ten since taking over in 2015-16.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, who has built the program into one of the top programs in the Big Ten over the past several decades.

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What they’re saying

“We got beaten by a team I think is a little better than us. But we got beaten by a team that played a lot better than us.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans (Yahoo Sports)

“All three of us understand what our universities and programs are about. And the thing that I think has made all three consistently successful is you understand who you are, where you are, what works at where you are, what doesn't work. And you stay true to that.”

— Greg Gard, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Badgers will look to continue their strong start to the Big Ten season as they take on other top conference opponents in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Greg Gard's commitment to Wisconsin's core values and identity has allowed the Badgers to remain one of the most consistent and successful programs in the Big Ten, even as other teams have experienced more volatility. This approach has earned Gard the respect of his peers, including Michigan State's Tom Izzo, who believes Gard does not always get the credit he deserves.