Wisconsin delivered one of the biggest shocks of the 2025-26 college basketball season, stunning No. 2 Michigan 91-88 on Saturday. The unranked Badgers stormed back from 14 points down in the first half to end Dusty May’s undefeated Wolverines perfect start.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Wisconsin 91, Michigan 88 in Ann Arbor on January 10, 2026
- Wisconsin’s Record: Improved to 11-5 overall, 3-2 in Big Ten play; first ranked win since 2016
- Michigan’s Streak Ends: Wolverines drop to 14-1, ending 14-game winning streak as top-2 team
- Upset Magnitude: Badgers entered as 19-point underdogs, previously 0-3 against ranked teams this season
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John Blackwell led Wisconsin with 26 points, while Nicholas Boyd added 22 points and 6 assists in the stunning upset victory. The Badgers were 0-3 against ranked opponents entering the weekend, losing by an average of 24.7 points. But this Wisconsin team had other plans for Dusty May’s perfect squad.
The upset marks Wisconsin’s first win over a top-1 or top-2 ranked team since 2016. Michigan entered Saturday as one of just six undefeated Division I teams. The loss also ended the Wolverines’ 14-game winning streak and snapped their perfect start to the 2025-26 campaign under Dusty May.
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Wisconsin trailed 38-37 at halftime but came out on fire from beyond the arc. The Badgers opened the second half by making their first nine shots, with seven consecutive 3-pointers before the first miss. Wisconsin finished with 15 made three-pointers, tying a season-high.
The Badgers’ three-point barrage completely changed the momentum of the game. Michigan had dominated early with Dusty May’s system on full display, but couldn’t adjust to Wisconsin’s scorching second-half shooting. The comeback from 14 points down in the first half showcased resilience and elite execution under pressure.
Dusty May’s Michigan Falling: Key Statistics and Historic Implications
| Team Stat | Wisconsin | Michigan |
| Final Record | 11-5, 3-2 BIG TEN | 14-1, 4-1 BIG TEN |
| 3-Pointers Made | 15 (season-high) | TBA |
| Top Scorer | John Blackwell, 26 pts | TBA |
| Halftime Score | 37 | 38 |
“The Badgers defeated a team ranked No. 1 or No. 2 for first time since 2016.”
— CBS Sports, Game Analysis
Michigan Remains Elite Despite Loss; Big Ten Race Heating Up
Dusty May’s Michigan still holds the 14-1 record and remains among the nation’s elite despite Saturday’s upset. The Wolverines had been 41-0 all-time at home against unranked opponents when ranked in the top two of the AP poll. That historic streak ended today.
The Big Ten remains wide open this season. Nebraska improved to 16-0 overall with a comeback win over Indiana on Saturday. Purdue is the other Big Ten team without a conference loss. Wisconsin’s statement victory at Crisler Center proves any team can win on any given day. Dusty May will need to regroup quickly with conference play ramping up.
What Does This Wisconsin Upset Mean for the 2025-26 Season?
The Badgers’ historic victory over Michigan shows that Dusty May’s team, while dominant, remains beatable when opponents execute at elite levels. AP top-five teams had been 54-0 against unranked teams entering Saturday. Wisconsin broke that historic barrier.
Going forward, expect Michigan to bounce back aggressively. Dusty May has built a culture of excellence. However, Wisconsin’s 91-88 victory serves as a reminder that defensive breakdowns and cold shooting can topple even the most dominant undefeated teams. The 2025-26 college basketball season just got much more interesting.
Sources
- CBS Sports: Wisconsin upsets No. 2 Michigan, Wolverines lose first game of season
- ESPN: Wisconsin 91, Michigan 88 final score and box statistics
- AP News: Wisconsin’s comeback victory against undefeated Michigan Wolverines
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.