NCAAB · Final

USC Trojans Edge Wisconsin Badgers in Close Contest

Sunday, January 25, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Kohl Center

USC Trojans 73, Wisconsin Badgers 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won USC Trojans vs Wisconsin Badgers?

USC Trojans beat Wisconsin Badgers 73-71 at Kohl Center on January 25, 2026.

Who was favored in USC Trojans vs Wisconsin Badgers?

Wisconsin Badgers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling matchup at the Kohl Center, the USC Trojans narrowly defeated the Wisconsin Badgers with a final score of 73-71. This contest showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with USC improving their record to 16-5 while Wisconsin fell to 14-7. The game was marked by a series of critical scoring plays in the second half, highlighting the intensity of the encounter.

Wisconsin entered the game with a strong recent form, boasting a record of 7-3 over their last ten games, including a five-game winning streak prior to this matchup. They averaged 81.0 points scored per game while allowing 76.9 points. Their last five games had seen them score an impressive average of 88.6 points, suggesting a potent offense. In contrast, USC had a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, with their most recent performance resulting in two consecutive losses. The Trojans averaged 76.8 points scored and allowed 73.4 points during this stretch, indicating a more balanced but less explosive scoring output compared to Wisconsin.

When examining the home and away records, Wisconsin had performed well at home with a 4-1 record, while USC's away record stood at 2-2, showcasing the challenges they faced on the road. The previous meeting between these two teams had occurred on January 18, 2025, where Wisconsin emerged victorious with a score of 84-69, giving them a 1-0 advantage in their head-to-head record.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the absence of key players can often impact team performance, especially in closely contested games like this one.

The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Wisconsin favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 158.5. The home moneyline was listed at -360.0, while USC's moneyline was at 285.0, reflecting the expectations of the market prior to the game.

The conditions at the Kohl Center were typical for a winter evening in Wisconsin, which can often influence gameplay due to the potential for colder temperatures affecting player performance and fan attendance.

As the game unfolded, it was evident that both teams were fighting hard for every point. Key moments included Ezra Ausar's layup that pushed USC ahead, and crucial free throws from Nick Boyd and Jerry Easter II that helped seal the victory for the Trojans. Wisconsin's Nolan Winter also made a notable contribution with an 11-foot jumper, but it was not enough to overcome USC's lead.

Overall, the matchup provided an exciting display of college basketball, with both teams exhibiting their strengths and weaknesses. The final score reflects the competitive nature of the game, and both teams will look to build on this experience as they continue their respective seasons.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	WIS -7.5	158.5 o -112 / u -108	USC Trojans +285 · Wisconsin Badgers -360

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsNick Boyd29Wisconsin Badgers
AssistsAndrew Rohde4Wisconsin Badgers
ReboundsJohn Blackwell9Wisconsin Badgers
PointsChad Baker-Mazara29USC Trojans
AssistsJacob Cofie5USC Trojans
ReboundsJacob Cofie11USC Trojans

Recent form

Wisconsin Badgers

Last 10: 7-3Streak W581 scored · 76.9 allowed per game4-1 at home

W98-71at Penn State Nittany LionsJan 23
W96-87vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsJan 17
W78-75at Minnesota Golden GophersJan 14
W91-88at Michigan WolverinesJan 10
W80-72vs UCLA BruinsJan 7
L73-89vs Purdue BoilermakersJan 4
W80-60vs Milwaukee PanthersDec 31
W88-61vs Central Michigan ChippewasDec 23
L66-76at Villanova WildcatsDec 20
L60-90at Nebraska CornhuskersDec 11

USC Trojans

Last 10: 6-4Streak L276.8 scored · 73.4 allowed per game2-2 away

L68-74vs Northwestern WildcatsJan 22
L64-69vs Purdue BoilermakersJan 17
W88-71vs Maryland TerrapinsJan 14
W70-69at Minnesota Golden GophersJan 10
L51-80at Michigan State SpartansJan 6
L66-96at Michigan WolverinesJan 3
W102-63vs UC Santa Cruz Banana SlugsDec 21
W97-70vs UTSA RoadrunnersDec 18
W68-61vs Washington State CougarsDec 15
W94-81at San Diego TorerosDec 10

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	USC Trojans	Wisconsin Badgers
Field goals	25-61	23-67
Field goal %	41	34
Three-pointers	6-24	9-37
Three-point %	25	24
Free throws	17-23	16-20
Free throw %	74	80
Rebounds	41	42
Offensive rebounds	13	18
Defensive rebounds	28	24
Assists	9	10
Steals	3	3
Blocks	4	3
Turnovers	5	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	4
Fast-break points	2	11
Points in the paint	34	26
Fouls	15	17
Largest lead	10	12
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	58	38

How the scoring went

1st Half39-41Austin Rapp makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nick Boyd assists)
2nd Half42-41Chad Baker-Mazara makes 24-foot three pointer
2nd Half44-41Alijah Arenas makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half44-44Nick Boyd makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nolan Winter assists)
2nd Half44-45Nick Boyd makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-46Nick Boyd makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-48Nick Boyd makes driving layup
2nd Half44-49Braeden Carrington makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half44-50Braeden Carrington makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half46-50Chad Baker-Mazara makes driving layup
2nd Half46-53Austin Rapp makes 24-foot three point jumper (Andrew Rohde assists)
2nd Half46-55Nolan Winter makes 0-foot tip in dunk
2nd Half46-58Braeden Carrington makes 27-foot three point jumper
2nd Half48-58Jacob Cofie makes layup
2nd Half49-58Jerry Easter II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-58Jerry Easter II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half51-58Ezra Ausar makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-58Ezra Ausar makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-58Chad Baker-Mazara makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half54-60Nick Boyd makes layup
2nd Half55-60Ezra Ausar makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-60Chad Baker-Mazara makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-60Chad Baker-Mazara makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half59-60Chad Baker-Mazara makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half62-60Chad Baker-Mazara makes 25-foot three point jumper
2nd Half62-63Nolan Winter makes 25-foot three point jumper (Andrew Rohde assists)
2nd Half63-63Ezra Ausar makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-63Ezra Ausar makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-63Kam Woods makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-64John Blackwell makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-65John Blackwell makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-65Ezra Ausar makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half69-65Ezra Ausar makes layup (Chad Baker-Mazara assists)
2nd Half69-67Nick Boyd makes driving layup
2nd Half71-67Chad Baker-Mazara makes 8-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half71-68Nick Boyd makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-69Nick Boyd makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-69Jerry Easter II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half73-69Jerry Easter II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-71Nolan Winter makes 11-foot jumper (Andrew Rohde assists)