Wisconsin Badgers opened their Big Ten basketball season with an 85-73 victory over Northwestern, marking their fifth straight win against the Wildcats. The game featured a strong first-half performance, with Wisconsin scoring 55 points—their highest in a first half this year—and leading by as much as 27 points. Key players included John Blackwell, who scored 26 points, reached his 1,000th career point, and recorded his first double-double of the season. Andrew Rohde also scored his 1,000th career point and dished out nine assists, his career high. Nick Boyd added 20 points, while Nolan Winter and Rapp contributed double digits. Wisconsin's offensive success was driven by excellent ball movement, with 15 assists on 17 baskets in the first half, and they committed no turnovers until late in the game, which helped maintain their lead. Defensively, Wisconsin limited Northwestern's leading scorer Nick Martinelli to 14 points and forced seven turnovers in the first half. Coach Greg Gard praised the team’s offensive efficiency, particularly their ball movement and transition play, while acknowledging the need for consistency. He also discussed lineup changes, emphasizing that decisions are based on matchups and team needs, and highlighted the development of players like Blackwell and Rohde. Wisconsin will face Marquette next in a sold-out game, aiming to build on their strong start in the Big Ten.