Key Breakthrough: Wildcats Seal 3-2 Heats Final Against Huskies in Exciting Extra-Time Thriller!
There was a lot that went right for the Badgers on Friday.
Mar 13, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) defends Wisconsin Badgers forward Aleksas Bieliauskas (32) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images Another game against Illinois. Another heart-stopping overtime win.
The 23rd-ranked Wisconsin Badgers came back from down 15 points in the second half to upset the ninth-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini, 91-88 in overtime. It was the Badgers’ second come-from-behind overtime victory over the Illini this season. Back on February 10th, the Badgers rallied from down 12 in the second half to win 92-90 in Champaign.
Rebounding was a major key in the upset win for Wisconsin. Against Washington on Thursday, the Huskies dominated the glass by a 45-29 margin against the Badgers. Against Illinois, Wisconsin improved the rebounding effort.
The Badgers won the rebounding margin 37-36 and gathered 11 offensive rebounds compared to the Illini’s nine. Now, the Badgers get to take on the big dog of the Big Ten on Saturday in Michigan. Wisconsin has the distinction of being the only Big Ten team to hand the Wolverines a conference loss.