Wisconsin Badgers Stun No. 5 Purdue in Overtime Thriller

Badgers overcome Boilermakers in high-scoring affair, showcasing their March Madness potential.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers pulled off a stunning 97-93 overtime victory against the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers on the road at Mackey Arena. Despite missing key player Nolan Winter, the Badgers got strong performances from their backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who combined for 48 points. Wisconsin shot the lights out, making a season-high 18 3-pointers, including 12 in the first half alone. The win marked the Badgers' fourth straight victory over a top-15 opponent and their sixth quad 1 win of the season, showcasing their March Madness potential.

Why it matters

This victory over a top-5 Purdue team on the road is a major statement win for the Wisconsin Badgers, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers have now won four straight games against ranked opponents, proving they can win in tough environments against elite competition. This performance will boost their NCAA Tournament seeding and give them valuable momentum heading into March Madness.

The details

Wisconsin overcame Purdue's size advantage in the frontcourt, with sophomore Austin Rapp and freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas combining for 33 points and 8 made 3-pointers. The Badgers' backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell took over late, scoring 23 and 25 points respectively. Wisconsin shot a blistering 55.8% from the field and made a program-record 12 3-pointers in the first half alone.

  • The Badgers defeated Purdue 97-93 in overtime on March 4, 2026.
  • Wisconsin's previous win over Purdue came on January 3, 2026, when the Boilermakers won 89-73 in Madison.

The players

Nick Boyd

A senior guard for the Wisconsin Badgers who scored 23 points and dished out 5 assists in the win over Purdue.

John Blackwell

A standout junior guard for the Wisconsin Badgers, scoring a game-high 25 points in the overtime victory.

Austin Rapp

A sophomore forward for the Wisconsin Badgers who stepped up with 17 points and 3 assists in the absence of injured teammate Nolan Winter.

Aleksas Bieliauskas

A freshman forward for the Wisconsin Badgers who contributed 16 points, including 4 made 3-pointers, in the win over Purdue.

Matt Painter

The head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers, who praised Wisconsin's performance and acknowledged the Badgers' status as a tough out in the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“They do it today without Nolan Winter, who is a big piece of what they do. They're going to be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers (on3.com)

“I'm not the type of guy to say it, but I look across the board, and I think we're the best backcourt in the country. Just consistently when it comes to big games, I think we just get it done.”

— John Blackwell (on3.com)

“March is about who can make plays. When you have two of the best guards in the country, you get wins like this.”

— Nick Boyd (on3.com)

What’s next

The Badgers will await their NCAA Tournament seeding and matchup, which will be announced on Selection Sunday.

The takeaway

Wisconsin's impressive road win over a top-5 Purdue team demonstrates the Badgers' ability to compete with the best teams in the country. Their balanced scoring attack, 3-point shooting prowess, and veteran backcourt leadership make them a formidable opponent in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a deep run.