Greg Gard of Wisconsin clowns Illinois with a Jake Davis wig after a major upset

Following a controversial loss to Indiana last saturday Wisconsin basketball entered Champagne with a lot of frustrations to unload. The team had the distinct honor of playing Illinois on Jake Davis Vig Night, as the Fighting Illini honored their junior scorer. A lively crowd and a 12-point deficit seemingly set the Badgers up for another loss, but they battled hard and stunned their opponent with a 92-90 overtime victory. However, Greg Gard wanted to make it really meaningful.

Two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year put on one of the wigs who was made for the game and ran into the locker room to celebrate with his team. Wisconsin players doused him with water, ruining his curly, blond locks.

It’s important to note that Illinois’ second and third leading scorers, Keelan Boswell and Andrej Stojakovic, did not suit up for this conference matchup, so it could be argued that Gard’s jeans were a little too much. Although, it could also be said that building a fan hype around a player who averages less than 20 minutes per contest is also a bit too much. Maybe it’s best to call it even?

“Hair goes home sad, Badgers go home happy” pic.twitter.com/rJHIgLe4df

— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 11, 2026

Davis and the Fighting Illini will remember the postgame antics, but they don’t need another reason to seek revenge against the Badgers. Wisconsin trailed by 10 with just over seven minutes remaining, but possessed enough composure and grit to beat the No. 8 team in the country.

This road win comes a month after Gard’s boys invaded Ann Arbor and handed Michigan its first and currently only loss of the season. There have been hiccups in between, but this group is a threat in one of the best leagues in the NCAA. And it’s apparently fearless.

Nick Boyd and John Blackwell combined for 49 points, while Austin Rapp added 18 and two steals in 31 minutes off the bench. The Badgers also accounted for 14 offensive rebounds and forced 13 Illinois turnovers. They got some help from the opposition — star freshman Keaton Wagler missed a free throw with 33 seconds left and the Illini were 11 of 19 overall — but Wisconsin basketball still had to earn this W.

The Badgers probably turned a lot of people off with their wig display, but if they beat No. 10 Michigan State at home this Friday night, the conversation will focus on their strong March Madness aspirations.