Wisconsin basketball dominates Providence on both ends
With a career-high day for Nick Boyd, and a slew of other Badgers-best performances, Wisconsin basketball gave itself a championship opportunity
In 67 seconds, Wisconsin basketball went on an 8-0 run early in the second half, forcing Providence Friars head coach Kim English to call a timeout before the first media break. Despite English’s efforts, he could not get his team composed offensively. The Wisconsin Badgers’ defense returned from the stoppage, forced the Friars into a shot clock violation, and scored another four points before Providence could stop the bleeding.
It was a sequence emblematic of the final result, as Wisconsin dominated Providence for 40 minutes in the semifinals of the 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational.
After surrendering 98 points in a 28-point loss to the BYU Cougars less than a week earlier, the Badgers answered the call of head coach Greg Gard, who demanded his team “compete, rally, and fight back,” and put together a 104-83 beatdown of the Friars. It was the first time UW eclipsed 100 points since scoring 116 in a win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on January 3rd.
For their efforts, Wisconsin earned the chance to compete for a third-straight championship in the November tournaments. The Badgers will face the TCU Horned Frogs on Friday at 4:30 p.m. TCU upset the reigning national champion Florida Gators to reach the title game.
Nick Boyd has a career-high performance on Thanksgiving
Transfer point guard Nick Boyd, whom Greg Gard had previously described as “a jet,” cruised to a career-high scoring output in a game the Badgers outscored the Friars 32-14 in the fast-break, including a 19-1 first-half margin.
The Garnerville, New York native poured in 36 points, the best single-game scoring performance by any Badger this season, and assisted on another 19. His seven assists were one shy of a career-best. Boyd did not commit a turnover; as a team, Wisconsin committed only 7, while forcing Providence into 14 turnovers.
Boyd’s addition to the Gard’s roster has been a natural fit for a team that wants to push the pace in transition, but still values defensive effort more than ever. On Thursday, Wisconsin came away with 10 steals, turning those extra possessions into 13 points.
The transfer by way of the Florida Atlantic Owls and San Diego State Aztecs leads the Badgers in scoring, assists, and trails only John Blackwell for the team lead in made threes.
Well-rounded effort leads to Wisconsin basketball domination
As impressive as Boyd was, it was far from a one-man show. Wisconsin got significant contributions from up and down its roster. The day included everything from double-digit scoring by Blackwell (despite him shooting only 2-10 from the field) to Isaac Gard scoring points against a high-major opponent for the first time.
Wisconsin’s starting forwards provided an inside-out scoring threat. Nolan Winter has spoken of his need to be a more physical presence in the interior since the offseason. The Lakeville, Minnesota native showcased what a physical presence he can provide at his best, scoring 19 points on 7-9 shooting and 10 rebounds, for his fourth double-double in six games this season.
UW added nine points off Winter’s four offensive rebounds, scoring each of the four times the junior created second-chance opportunities. Entering Thursday, the seven-footer was one of six players in the Big Ten averaging double-digit rebounds.
While Winter has been a model of consistency, sophomore Austin Rapp has been looking to find a more consistent groove. In Salt Lake City, the Portland Pilots transfer scored zero points, failed to tally an assist or collect a rebound, and turned the ball over twice. Nobody needed a bounce-back game more badly.
When he needed it most, the Australian forward scored a season-high 20 points and tied his Badgers-best eight rebounds. Apparently used to the friendly rims inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion at the University of San Diego, Rapp connected on five three-pointers, one shy of the career-high mark of six he last hit inside the same gym.
If Rapp’s shot is falling, he is the most dangerous player in the gym with a shot fake Boyd described as “deadly, because you know he can knock it down.”
Those two transfers showcased some chemistry against the Friars, too. In the final 80 seconds of the first half, Boyd assisted on three Rapp triples.
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