Sophomore guard John Blackwell and graduate center Steven Crowl finished with 19 points each but the Badgers fell at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers close the regular season with a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Nittany Lions at the Kohl Center.

No. 11 Wisconsin lost at No. 8 Michigan State 71-62 on Sunday afternoon. John Blackwell led the Badgers with 19 points. Nolan Winter led with 17 rebounds. Wisconsin's next game is Wednesday night at Minnesota.

The Wisconsin Badgers crushed Washington 88-62 from the Kohl Center on Tuesday night. John Blackwell led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. John Tonje added 13 points while Steven Crowl and Xavier Amos each finished with 12 points as the 12th-ranked Badgers have won six-of-seven and improved to 22-6 overall,

John Blackwell scored 25 points and John Tonje added 14 as the Wisconsin Badgers persevered down the stretch to hold off host Minnesota.

No. 12 Wisconsin takes on the Penn State Nittany Lions after John Blackwell scored 25 points in Wisconsin's 74-67 victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Wisconsin basketball (23-7, 13-6 Big Ten) returns to the hardwood on Saturday afternoon against the Penn State Nittany Lions (15-15, 5-14 Big Ten).

MADISON – Each Monday, the Journal Sentinel will look at the Wisconsin men's basketball team’s previous week and assess how its résumé has changed and stacks up to the competition. All rankings are through Sunday unless noted otherwise.

No. 12 Wisconsin faces the Penn State Nittany Lions after John Blackwell scored 25 points in Wisconsin's 74-67 victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.