LOS ANGELES — The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team continues to cement itself as one of the country's elite squads, and voters in the Associated Press men's college basketball rankings have noticed. The Badgers allowed a 20-4 run in the second half, but they showed the strides they've made with a resilient effort down the stretch.

That performance is a departure from Wisconsin’s impressive offensive renaissance. Gard and his staff have reworked the program’s approach in recent seasons, an initiative that has the team averaging 82.4 points per game and ranked No. 12 in KenPom offensive efficiency.

John Blackwell finished with 28 points and Max Klesmit added 18 for the Badgers, who defeated the Trojans, 86-69, Saturday at Galen Center.

The Badgers men's basketball coach is one victory away from becoming the fourth coach in program history to win 200 games.

The Badgers coach spoke about reaching the milestone after the team's 70-68 victory over Ohio State Tuesday at the Kohl Center.

It managed 84 points in the win over USC despite leading scorer John Tonje finishing with zero points on 0-of-3 shooting. That output proved its depth of quality contributors, as John Blackwell (28 points) and Max Klesmit (18 points) led the way.

Blackwell scored 28 points, helping lead Wisconsin (15-3, 5-2) to an early lead. Max Klesmit added 18 as the Badgers have now won each of their last seven by an average of 16 poin