The Wisconsin Badgers are gearing up to face the Northwestern Wildcats on Thursday, March 14, 2025, as they seek redemption after a surprising loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions just days before. The Badgers, ranked 18th and seeded fifth, are determined to bounce back and make their mark in the Big Ten tournament, which is being held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin’s disappointing regular-season finale saw them stumble against Penn State, who handed them an unexpected 87-75 defeat at home. That upset cost the Badgers the coveted fourth seed and eliminated their chances for the double-bye, allowing UCLA to slip through instead.
On the other hand, the Northwestern Wildcats have found their footing, advancing to the second round with a solid 72-64 victory over Minnesota. Star player Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats with an impressive 28 points and seven rebounds, showcasing his offensive prowess as they prepared to face off against Wisconsin.
“We gave them 50 points in the second half,” remarked Northwestern coach Chris Collins, referring to past performance against the Badgers. “So much of it again is going to be our defense. They have such a juggernaut offensively.” The challenge will be significant for the Wildcats as they prepare to contain Wisconsin's well-rounded scoring attack.
Despite their recent loss, the Badgers are still scoring at remarkable rates, averaging 80.8 points per game this season. Their performance has been bolstered by standout players, including John Tonje, who is averaging 18.9 points, and John Blackwell, who contributes 15.6 points per game. Following the regular season, Blackwell has even managed to heighten his game with averages of 21.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over the last four matchups, proving to be instrumental for the team.
While the Badgers are finding their rhythm, the potential return of starting guard Max Klesmit adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming matchup. Klesmit, who has been sidelined due to injury, expressed confidence about his comeback. "Feeling good, going to play," he declared, hopeful to make significant contributions as the tournament progresses.
With Wisconsin leading the nation in free-throw accuracy at 83.6%, their ability to capitalize from the line could prove pivotal against Northwestern. They’ve successfully converted more free-throws (514) than their opponents have even attempted (511), highlighting their offensive efficiency.
Northwestern faces its challenges as well, as they contend with key player absences. Senior guard Brooks Barnhizer, who averaged 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds, has been lost for the season due to injury, and early February saw guard Jalen Leach also sidelined with an ACL injury. The Wildcats will need to rally without these instrumental players as they aim to upset Wisconsin.
Historically, Wisconsin has held the upper hand against Northwestern, including their recent meeting on February 1, 2025, where they clinched a comeback victory with 75-69, marking their strength and resilience. Coach Greg Gard emphasized the importance of regaining their focus after the disappointing Penn State game, reflecting, “We needed to flush it quick and move on and get ready for what's coming at the end of this week.”
Looking ahead, Gard appears optimistic about his team’s prospects. “We’ve got a chance here over the next four days to chase another championship,” he said, channeling the spirit of determination as they gear up for their first tournament challenge against Northwestern.
With both teams arriving at this moment under different circumstances, the atmosphere will certainly heat up as they clash on the hardwood. Wisconsin fans will be eager to see whether their team can extend their Big Ten tournament legacy, having won the championship three times previously—in 2004, 2008, and 2015. The stakes are high, and the excitement palpable.
Catch the action live on BTN Thursday, March 14, following the conclusion of the earlier game, with predictions pointing to Wisconsin securing a solid 77-66 victory over the Wildcats. The outcome of this encounter will set the tone for not just this tournament, but potentially for the NCAA Championship chase as well.