John Blackwell’s Career Night Propels Wisconsin to Dominant Win Over Washington
Wisconsin sophomore guard John Blackwell ended his scoring slump in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, delivering a standout performance against the Washington Huskies. The Michigan native recorded his first career double-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in just 30 minutes, leading Wisconsin (22-6, 12-5 Big Ten) to a commanding 26-point victory over Washington (13-14, 4-13 Big Ten).
It had been over a month since Blackwell last scored 20 or more points in a game, but he wasted no time making an impact. In the final nine minutes of the first half, he erupted for 17 points, turning a narrow seven-point Wisconsin lead into a commanding 15-point advantage. Blackwell showcased his offensive versatility, knocking down three three-pointers, hitting mid-range jumpers, and finishing inside with confidence.
Although his scoring slowed in the second half—adding just five more points—his early contributions set the tone for a game that was never in doubt. Wisconsin built a 30-point lead early in the second half and cruised to victory without being challenged.
A Timely Breakout Performance
Before Tuesday’s game, Blackwell had gone eight contests without reaching the 20-point mark, last doing so in a 23-point effort against UCLA. During that stretch, teammate John Tonje emerged as Wisconsin’s primary scoring threat, surpassing 20 points in seven of the last eight games. While Blackwell remained a solid contributor, averaging double figures in five games, Tonje had taken the spotlight as the team’s go-to scorer.
That dynamic will likely continue for the remainder of the season, but Blackwell’s performance against Washington was a reminder of how dangerous Wisconsin can be when he’s in rhythm. If he can consistently contribute around 15 points per game with efficient shooting, the Badgers will become an even more formidable offensive team, forming a lethal one-two scoring punch with Tonje.
Blackwell’s next challenge comes in a high-stakes showdown against No. 8 Michigan State on March 2 in East Lansing. If he can replicate Tuesday’s performance, Wisconsin’s chances of making a deep postseason run will only improve.
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