March 26, 2024; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler motions to his team during the first half of the NIT quarterfinals against the Georgia Bulldogs at Value City Arena. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

With that winning surge, Wisconsin’s record stands at 15-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten play. Those marks have the team up at No. 18 in the latest AP Poll. Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Jan. 20): Top tier continues to separate

John Blackwell finished with 28 points and Max Klesmit added 18 for the Badgers, who defeated the Trojans, 86-69, Saturday at Galen Center.

Rating metrics hold their optimistic outlook for the Badgers after its win over a highly-ranked Buckeyes team. Wisconsin remains in the Big Ten’s top tier in both KenPom and ESPN BPI: KenPom: No. 21 overall (same ranking as it held after the Minnesota win) and No. 5 in the Big Ten, with the No. 12 offense and No. 50 defense in the country.

John Blackwell scored 28 points and No. 24 Wisconsin defeated Southern California 84-69 to extend its winning streak to seven games.

Blackwell scored 28 points, helping lead Wisconsin (15-3, 5-2) to an early lead. Max Klesmit added 18 as the Badgers have now won each of their last seven by an average of 16 poin

It managed 84 points in the win over USC despite leading scorer John Tonje finishing with zero points on 0-of-3 shooting. That output proved its depth of quality contributors, as John Blackwell (28 points) and Max Klesmit (18 points) led the way.