Wisconsin vs. Oregon Preview: Badgers Hit the West Coast Looking to Ground the Struggling Ducks
After a much-needed bounce-back win over Iowa, the Badgers pack their bags for a late-night test in Eugene.
After a nightmare showing in Columbus last Tuesday, the Wisconsin basketball team righted the ship on Sunday with a hard-fought victory over Iowa at the Kohl Center. The win bumped the Badgers to 19-8 (11-5 Big Ten) and, more importantly, kept them in contention for a coveted double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
But there is no rest for the weary. Greg Gard’s squad is packing their bags for a grueling West Coast swing, starting Wednesday night in Eugene against the Oregon Ducks.
Oregon (10-17, 3-13 B1G) has had a tough second season in the Big Ten. Dana Altman’s group has been absolutely decimated by the injury bug and finds themselves firmly in the basement of the conference standings. Still, taking a Big Ten team lightly on the road—especially out West—is a recipe for disaster. We learned that lesson the hard way last week.
Game Info
Matchup: Wisconsin (19-8, 11-5 B1G) vs. Oregon (10-17, 3-13 B1G)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 PM CT
Location: Matthew Knight Arena – Eugene, OR
TV: BTN
Radio: Badger Radio Network
The Line: Wisconsin -7.5 | Total: 140.5
Players to Watch
Wisconsin: John Blackwell
We know what we are probably getting with Nick Boyd each night. The wildcard has been John Blackwell. When he’s on, he’s arguably the best player on the floor. But then Blackwell has games like he did against Iowa, when he was virtually invisible. The Badgers cannot afford to drop this game to the Ducks, who are currently second-to-last in the Big Ten standings.
The Badgers need reliable, gritty scoring outside of Nick Boyd, especially on the road. Blackwell’s ability to put his head down, drive the lane, and draw contact will be crucial in a game where jump shots might fall short due to heavy “travel legs.” If he can get to the free-throw line early, it will help stabilize the Wisconsin offense.
Oregon: Nate Bittle
With Shelstad out with an injury, the offense now begins and ends with Nate Bittle. The 7-foot senior recently returned from a multi-week foot injury and has been on an absolute tear, averaging over 16 points and nearly 7 rebounds per game on the season. Bittle can stretch the floor, block shots, and score in the paint. Nolan Winter is going to have his hands full defensively; containing Bittle is the absolute key to neutralizing whatever firepower Oregon has left.
Storylines to Watch
The Body Clock Factor
A 10:00 pm tip-off is never easy. Wisconsin will be playing the second half of this game when their bodies are telling them it’s midnight. Getting off to a fast start and not letting the late-night sluggishness creep in will be Gard’s top priority. If they let Oregon hang around early, they will have to conjure up another second-half comeback, which could prove to be much more difficult during a night game on the West Coast.
Winning the Paint
While Bittle is a force inside, Oregon’s frontcourt depth has been gutted by injuries. This is a prime opportunity for the Badgers to wear the Ducks down on the glass. If Wisconsin can secure defensive rebounds to limit Oregon to one shot per possession—and generate second-chance points on the offensive end by attacking an exhausted Oregon interior—they should control the tempo entirely.
Prediction
I am not predicting a 15-point blowout this time. Lesson learned.
While Oregon’s record is atrocious and their injury report is a mile long, a late-night tip in Eugene after a long cross-country flight is a notoriously tough assignment. The Badgers have been notoriously slow starters the last few months, and will likely look a little rusty in the first half as they adjust to the time zone.
Purdue struggled to pull out a win at Oregon earlier this season, escaping Eugene with just a four-point win.
However, Wisconsin is simply the healthier, deeper, and better team. Outside of Bittle, the Ducks just don’t have the firepower to keep up for 40 minutes. I am expecting a sluggish, close game at halftime before the Badgers lean on their depth and pull away late.
Final Score: Wisconsin 81, Oregon 73
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