Wisconsin’s Dynamic Duo: Boyd and Blackwell Shine in Big Ten Tournament
CHICAGO — John Blackwell was having his first training session back in Madison for the summer when he noticed his new teammate across the gym. He had heard good things about Nick Boyd but wanted to form his own impression before going deeper. So, Blackwell walked over and challenged Boyd to a one-on-one match.
“At first, he was really giving it to me,” Blackwell shared during the 2026 Men’s Big Ten Tournament. “Then he got in a rhythm. From that moment, I realized he was going to be something special.”
Boyd, having played alongside some top-notch guards at Florida Atlantic and San Diego State, wasn’t an easy mark. However, his competitive one-on-one match with Blackwell solidified a connection.
“I came in strong, but he turned it around and beat me,” Boyd recounted. “I remember leaving with a bruise and thinking, wow, he’s really a nice guy.”
Wisconsin’s head coach, Greg Gard, seemed to like the idea of having these two stars compete against each other. During full-team practices in August, Boyd and Blackwell were placed on different teams for scrimmages. Their teammates noticed how fiercely they competed and were eager to see what they could accomplish together.
Just recently, the University of Wisconsin managed to defeat the University of Illinois 91-88 in overtime, securing a spot in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. With Michigan up next, even the top-ranked team in the nation would likely think twice about matching up against the duo of Boyd and Blackwell. They truly believe they form the best backcourt in the country, and their impressive comeback against a strong Illinois team only reinforces this belief.
Illinois State had a solid lead of 15 points with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game. The United Center was filled with fans donning orange, but the Badgers weren’t ready to concede just yet. Boyd and Blackwell went to work, closing the gap with an impressive sequence of shots.
In the second half, Wisconsin put up 48 points, pushing the game into overtime, during which Boyd and Blackwell collectively scored 41 points. The extra period began with a layup from Boyd, quickly followed by his own floater, while Blackwell added crucial free throws to secure what seemed like an improbable victory.
Boyd’s stats were nothing short of remarkable: he finished the game with 38 points from 12-of-20 shooting, plus six assists and five rebounds. Blackwell contributed 31 points, hitting 9-of-17 attempts from the field, along with six rebounds. Affectionately dubbed the “Killer B’s,” they transformed what looked like a certain defeat into a matchup with Michigan, having scored an astounding 50 of their 61 points after halftime.
In their first Big Ten Tournament win, a thrilling 85-82 showdown against Washington, Boyd and Blackwell were just as impressive, combining for 57 points. After the final buzzer, Washington’s coach even questioned if they might be the top backcourt in America. Their latest comeback against the Illini only adds to the evidence.
Interestingly, Boyd and Blackwell have very different backgrounds. Boyd is at Wisconsin for the third time in five years, and while he can be quite vocal on the court, Blackwell tends to choose his words more carefully. Initially recruited as a three-star player in 2022, Blackwell decided to remain loyal to Wisconsin, the only power conference school that extended an offer to him.
Boyd’s journey includes playing in the 2023 Final Four with Florida Atlantic under current Michigan head coach Dusty May. After a stint at San Diego State, where he helped them reach the NCAA Tournament, he sought a new challenge.
What drew him to Wisconsin, though?
“I definitely think it’s a challenge,” Boyd said following the win. “My uncle told me I needed to go somewhere colder—I’ve only been to hot places. I’ve come to terms with that.”
The Badgers had to find a replacement for John Tonge, who earned second-team All-American honors during his only season in Madison. He was among the best players last season, and it was a bit surprising for Wisconsin to hit the transfer portal jackpot for the second consecutive year. Blackwell had an average of 15.8 points per game last year and seemed set to take on a leadership role, but Boyd quickly established his potential, even if their styles of play differed.
“The way he drove to the basket and the physical style he played with—it was clear he was working on his three-point shot during practice,” Blackwell reflected on Boyd. “I thought, wow, we’re really capable on the court.”
With two elite guards and three reliable shooters consistently on the floor, Wisconsin’s opponents have a lot to fear. They managed to pull off an impressive win against a strong Illinois team, even with other players struggling to find their rhythm. Wisconsin shot just 24% from beyond the arc, 10-of-41, yet still achieved an upset victory.
Michigan is well aware of how effective Wisconsin’s backcourt can be. The Wolverines, who were undefeated before facing Wisconsin, experienced their first loss in Madison earlier this year, where Boyd and Blackwell combined for 48 points. “If we can beat Michigan, we can beat anyone,” they seem to believe.
That said, the Badgers have limited room for error. On nights when either Boyd or Blackwell is off, scoring could become a struggle. But that hasn’t been a common issue this season, which has helped them boast the ninth-best offensive lineup in the country, according to KenPom.
In March, the success of the Badgers rests heavily on their guard play. Finding a better backcourt duo than Wisconsin will undoubtedly be a tough task.
