Having led Wisconsin in scoring during their two Big Ten victories so far, sophomore guard John Blackwell is emerging as a legitimate draft prospect.

As a strong guard with an explosive first step, Blackwell excels at getting to the rim both on and off the ball. His upside on offense and defense looks promising, but he still needs to continue rounding out his game to translate effectively to the NBA. The full body of work he has produced so far this season has been encouraging, but his productivity through the first two games of Big Ten play has stood out the most.

Let’s take a closer look at Blackwell’s strong start to his sophomore season, with a particular focus on his two most recent conference outings.

Through his first 15 games this year, Blackwell has helped the Badgers to a 12-3 record with impressive averages of 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.7 steals while shooting 50% from the field, 33.9% from three and 83.1% from the free throw line. He has led his team in scoring in just four games but has reached double digits in all but two contests. Despite not leading the team in any single statistical category, he currently ranks second in points, third in assists and fourth in both rebounds and steals. While his well-rounded game has been a highlight, it’s his ability to score from all three levels that has been most intriguing. In nine matchups against power conference opponents, Blackwell has averaged 16.8 points while shooting an impressive 60% from the field, showcasing his ability to step up in big games.

Two of his strongest showings this year came during conference play, where his team-high-scoring performances against Iowa and Rutgers were particularly encouraging. Let’s dive into how he stood out in these two Wisconsin victories.

On Friday, Jan. 3, Wisconsin defeated Iowa 116-85, thanks in no small part to Blackwell’s well-rounded game. He finished with a career-high 32 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists. Shooting 11-of-18 from the field, 6-of-10 from three and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line, Blackwell scored at will and stayed aggressive from the opening tip. His ten three-point attempts were a season high, and he connected on six of them, shooting an impressive 60% from beyond the arc. While this level of scoring production might not show up nightly, the consistent two-way aggression he displayed has become a hallmark of his game, significantly boosting his draft stock.

Following this game, Blackwell delivered another stellar performance on Monday, Jan. 6, in a 75-63 win over Rutgers. He tallied 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Blackwell maintained his attacking mindset, getting to the rim off the dribble and using smart cuts to exploit gaps in the defense. His ability to capitalize on transition opportunities and push the pace allowed Wisconsin to generate cleaner looks than they typically achieve in half-court sets. His unselfishness and ability to elevate his teammates were evident throughout the game.

Blackwell’s performances against Iowa and Rutgers illustrate his growing confidence and evolving skill set as a key player for Wisconsin. As the season progresses, his ability to sustain this high level of play will be crucial, not only for the Badgers’ success but also for cementing his status as a legitimate NBA prospect. If he continues to develop his all-around game, Blackwell has the potential to be one of the standout guards in the Big Ten and a rising star on the professional radar.

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Rutgers could not get back on track at the RAC.

The Scarlet Knights (8-7, 1-3) suffered a 75-63 loss to Wisconsin in Piscataway on Monday, marking their second straight defeat, their first home defeat of the season (7-1) and their sixth defeat in their last nine games. The result drops them to 0-5 in Quadrant 1 games and leaves them with one less opportunity to begin building a postseason résumé.

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 6, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

17-34-46-66-67, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 2-2-4

Evening: 4-5-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 4-1-1-0

Evening: 4-9-0-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 05-06-07-09-10-13-14-15-16-17-18

Evening: 02-04-06-08-09-12-13-15-17-18-19

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

03-05-06-16-31

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

03-13-16-17-21-24, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

• Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
• Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
• Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
• Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
• All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
• All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
• Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.