Wisconsin walked into Crisler Center facing an unbeaten, second-ranked Michigan team and walked out with one of the most impressive road wins in college basketball this season.
John Blackwell poured in 26 points, Nick Boyd added 22, and freshman Aleksas Bieliauskas delivered a breakout performance as the Badgers stunned Michigan 91–88 on Saturday night. Bieliauskas finished with a career-high 17 points, turning the game with a second-half shooting display that few saw coming.
The victory marked Wisconsin’s biggest regular-season win over a top-two opponent since beating No. 2 Michigan in 2019. It was also just the second time since 2016 that the Badgers defeated the AP’s No. 2 team on the road.
Michigan looked in control early. The Wolverines jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first half and appeared poised to protect their perfect record. But defensive lapses after halftime proved costly, as Wisconsin exploded for 54 second-half points and completely flipped the game’s momentum.
The Badgers trailed 38–37 at the break, then opened the second half with a blistering 20–7 run. Michigan never fully recovered.
Bieliauskas, who entered the night averaging just 4.0 points per game, became the story of the game during that surge. The Lithuanian freshman buried four 3-pointers in less than three minutes, showcasing exactly why head coach Greg Gard targeted him early in the recruiting process.
Michigan had chances late. With 35.2 seconds remaining, a potential game-tying basket was waved off when officials ruled basket interference on Aday Mara after he followed Roddy Gayle Jr.’s missed layup. The call stood after video review.
On the ensuing possession, Braeden Carrington was fouled on a long inbounds pass and knocked down two free throws. He later split a pair at the line with 9.6 seconds left, giving Wisconsin a three-point cushion. Michigan still had a chance to tie, but Gayle’s 3-pointer rimmed out.
The Wolverines were led early by Elliot Cadeau, who scored all 19 of his points in the first half. Morez Johnson Jr. added 18 points, including 13 before halftime. Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 14 points, while Nimari Burnett chipped in 10. Michigan’s offense stalled late, a stark contrast to its dominant first-half performance.
For the Badgers, the win was a statement. Blackwell and Boyd controlled the tempo down the stretch, while Bieliauskas provided the unexpected spark that swung the game.
Wisconsin now heads to Minnesota on Tuesday riding momentum from one of the program’s most impressive road victories in years. Michigan, meanwhile, will look to regroup as it travels west to face Washington on Wednesday, its perfect season no longer intact.