Wisconsin Upsets No. 2 Michigan 91–88 as John Blackwell Shines in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR Mich. — In a major Big Ten breaking update, John Blackwell scored 26 points and the Wisconsin Badgers stunned the previously unbeaten, second‑ranked Michigan Wolverines 91–88 on Saturday night, ending Michigan’s long home winning streak and reshaping early league dynamics.

Blackwell led all scorers with 26 points, and Nick Boyd added 22 as Wisconsin (11–5, 3–2 Big Ten) delivered its biggest regular‑season victory since also beating No. 2 Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2019. Freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas set a career high with 17 points, making 4 of 4 three‑point attempts in a burst early in the second half that helped shift the momentum. Head coach Greg Gard praised the balanced attack and timely shooting, noting that Bieliauskas’s performance exemplified the Badgers’ depth and development this season.

Wisconsin trailed by as many as 14 in the first half but flipped the script after the break by outscoring Michigan (14–1, 4–1) 54–50 in the second half. The Badgers opened the second with a 20–7 run, a sequence that underscored defensive adjustments and more efficient shot selection. The Wolverines, coached by Juwan Howard, had an early edge behind tenacious play from Elliot Cadeau, whose 19 first‑half points paced Michigan. Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. (who scored 13 of his 18 in the first half), and Yaxel Lendeborg (14 points) helped build the early lead, while Nimari Burnett added 10 points. Despite those contributions, Michigan’s offensive production slowed in the final 20 minutes.

The game’s closing possessions featured drama and a pivotal officiating decision. With Michigan trailing by one and 35.2 seconds left, Aday Mara had what appeared to be a go‑ahead basket wiped off after officials ruled basket interference on a follow‑up attempt, and the call stood following video review. That sequence marked a key swing in the closing timeline. On the ensuing possession, Wisconsin’s Braeden Carrington made two crucial free throws after being fouled on a long inbounds pass. He later split a pair with 9.6 seconds left to stretch the lead to three and force Michigan into a desperation three that Roddy Gayle Jr. missed at the buzzer.

This is Wisconsin’s second win over a top‑ranked Michigan opponent on the road in program history, a feat previously achieved in 2016 at Maryland. The Badgers now sit above .500 in conference play, while Michigan suffers its first loss after a 14–0 start, highlighting the unpredictability of early Big Ten competition. Out rebounding, timely three‑point shooting, and improved late game execution have been hallmarks of Wisconsin’s recent success, contrasting with Michigan’s struggles to sustain offensive efficiency against tight perimeter defense in the second half.

For Wisconsin, the victory provides a significant confidence boost and a Big Ten resume piece as the season progresses and tournament seeding conversations begin. The Badgers will visit Minnesota on Tuesday, seeking to extend momentum and climb further in the Big Ten standings. Michigan now turns the page quickly with a road test at Washington on Wednesday.

The loss serves as a reminder that maintaining focus on both ends of the floor is critical in a league where road wins against ranked opponents remain rare. By combining veteran leadership with emerging young contributors, Wisconsin has positioned itself as a potentially disruptive force in league play, while Michigan must regroup to protect home court and sustain its previously undefeated run through early conference competition.