Badgers Focused on Present Despite Recent Successes
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard affirmed the team’s commitment to immediate preparation as the No. 24 ranked squad prepares to face Ohio State on Tuesday. While acknowledging the natural tendency to reflect on recent triumphs – including victories against three nationally ranked opponents – Gard emphasized a singular focus on the next challenge. This message was delivered following a decisive 92-71 victory over then-No. 10 Michigan State on Friday.
“We’re on to next,” Gard stated plainly. He further explained that sustained success at this level necessitates a constant competitive drive. “In this profession, I don’t think you get to this point if your switch goes off. Maybe we turn down the volume a little bit, but the switch doesn’t go off… until maybe May.” The coach believes his players’ inherent competitiveness will prevent complacency.
Wisconsin’s Turnaround and Ohio State’s Struggles
The Badgers (18-7, 10-4 Big Ten) have demonstrated a remarkable ability to compete with top-tier programs after experiencing a slow start to the season. Since a 76-66 overtime defeat against Villanova on December 19th, Wisconsin has compiled an impressive 11-3 record. This stretch includes notable wins over No. 1 Michigan and No. 10 Illinois, solidifying their position as a force within the conference.
Ohio State, however, finds itself in a different situation. The Buckeyes (16-9, 8-6) are known for keeping games competitive, but have consistently fallen short against high-caliber opponents, currently holding a 0-7 record in Quad 1 matchups. A recent 70-66 non-conference loss to No. 14 Virginia on Saturday, despite leading by six points with ten minutes remaining, underscored their struggles to secure crucial victories.
Buckeyes Face Challenges with Key Injury
Ohio State coach Jake Diebler expressed disappointment following the Virginia setback, stating, “There is no moral victory here. Our belief and expectation was to come in and win the game and we didn't get the job done.” The Buckeyes have been unable to defeat any team currently ranked in the top 25, with their six losses to such opponents totaling just 16 points.
Adding to their difficulties, Ohio State announced prior to the Virginia game that starting guard John Mobley Jr. (15.1 ppg) will be sidelined indefinitely due to a hand injury. Taison Chatman made his first career start in Mobley’s absence, while Amare Bynum contributed 15 points. Bynum acknowledged the team’s need to compensate for Mobley’s absence, stating, “I wanted to pick up the slack for (Mobley) because he is such a good player… We just have to keep moving the ball on offense until he gets back.”
Defensive Focus Key for Ohio State Against Wisconsin
Defensively, the Buckeyes will need to contain the dynamic guard play of Nick Boyd (20.6 ppg) and John Blackwell (19.0 ppg), who combined for 43 points in Wisconsin’s 92-82 victory over Ohio State on January 31st. Diebler emphasized the importance of perimeter defense and ball security. “We’ve got to guard the ball and do a better job of taking away the 3-point line,” he said. “They’re so dynamic in transition… making sure that we keep the ball out of the paint early in possessions is going to be really important against them.”
--Field Level Media Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Field Level Media. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Field Level Media is strictly prohibited.
