Wisconsin is back on the court on Wednesday on the road at Maryland (KenPom No. 21). Another signature victory could send the Badgers closer to KenPom’s top 10 and, more importantly, closer to the top of the Big Ten standings.

Wisconsin held Nebraska to its lowest point total (55) since a Dec. 7 loss to Michigan State (52). That performance raised the Badgers’ KenPom defensive efficiency ranking to No. 50 nationally, the highest it’s been all season. That pushed the team’s overall ranking to No. 14.

Nebraska's men's basketball started slow on the road against No. 18 Wisconsin and never fully recovered in its sixth straight loss. Here are three takeaways from the blowout.

The Badgers rushed out to an early lead and nearly lost it, but bounced back in a conference victory in Madison.

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Fred Hoiberg of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks on in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 22, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Tonje dropped 27 points, 15 of which arrived in the first frame, and corralled five rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Sophomore guard John Blackwell finished with 14 points and four boards, Kamari McGee scored 11 points and nailed three three-pointers off the bench and Max Klesmit chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds.

The graduate guard scored 27 points and the Badgers hit 17 three-pointers in an 83-55 victory over the Cornhuskers Sunday at the Kohl Center.