Greg Gard has adapted to the changing NCAA landscape. He’s also helped spur an offensive transformation at Wisconsin with ‘The Johns’ – two potent scoring wings.
Those wings have the same first name but took very different routes to Madison. John Tonje is a graduate transfer in his sixth collegiate season and third collegiate stop with 2024-’25 being his final year of eligibility. The other John – John Blackwell – committed to Greg Gard and the Badgers in 2022 while in high school.
When AJ Storr and Chucky Hepburn left via the transfer portal, the Badgers needed to hit the portal themselves.
Gard dipping in the transfer portal for multiple players isn’t the only difference. He also has the Badgers playing spread, motion offense led by Tonje. Wisconsin scored 90+ points in consecutive games in wins over Purdue and Illinois recently. Wisconsin scored three 90+ point games in a 13-game stretch after three in 400 games previously.
Badger Big Ten games with 90+ points
Last 13 games – 3 times
Previous 400 games – 3 times🤯
— Matt Heilman (@heilmanmatt1) February 19, 2025
Tonje right at home in Madison
Tonje is making the most of his one year in Madison, leading the Badgers in scoring. The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 19.1 points per game on 47.1% shooting, including a scorching 38.2% from 3 He’s also shooting 91.8% from the foul line as Tonje is scoring with great efficiency, while averaging 5 rebounds per game.
To put in perspective how well Tonje is playing, Johnny Davis averaged 19.6 points per game in his sophomore year and was named first-team All-American. Frank Kaminsky 18.8 when he was National Player of the Year. Both parlayed those strong seasons into being first round draft picks, too. Tonje has put himself in line with that level of play.
Wisconsin's John Tonje is now averaging 25.1 points over his last eight games.
Just went for 31 points in an 95-74 win over Illinois – three days after scoring 32 points in a road win at Purdue. At least 22 points in seven of his last eight games. Playing like an All-American.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 19, 2025
Tonje’s scoring efficiency was once again on display as the Badgers’ offense carved up Purdue at Mackey Arena Saturday. Tonje poured in 32 points on 10 for 15 shooting, including 4 for 9 from 3, while Wisconsin poured in 94 points in a 94-84 win. The Badgers had an insane 1.44 points per possession.
Three days later Tonje torched the Illinois defense for another 30-point performance, pouring in 31 on 9 of 15 shooting, becoming the first Badger with back-to-back 30-point games since Michael Finley in 1994. Tonje has become beloved in Madison.
Your Naismith and Big Ten Player of the Week is back at it 😎
John Tonje (31 pts) is now the first Badger since Michael Finley in 1994 to score 30+ points in consecutive games
WIS 86, ILL 72 | 3:49 2H pic.twitter.com/MJVLkogT8N
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 19, 2025
Tonje is in his sixth year of college, spending four years at Colorado State before transferring to Missouri last season. Tonje had a breakout fourth year for the Rams, averaging 14.6 points per game on 39% from 3.
Tonje was injured at Mizzou and ended up playing just eight games. He re-entered the portal and found his way to Madison with some shrewd recruiting by Gard, as Tonje has fit in splendidly. Tonje and Wisconsin have been a match with Tonje saying:
Blackwell packs scoring punch for Badgers
Joining him on the wing is Blackwell, a 6-4 sophomore. Blackwell averages 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and is also scoring with good efficiency. He is shooting 45.8% from the field and over 80% from the foul line. Blackwell also averages 2.2 assists and nearly a steal per game.
Blackwell, a 2023 recruit, only held one major conference offer and that was from Gard and the Badgers. He chose the Badgers over Rhode Island, VCU, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Oakland (MI), Cleveland State, and Toledo.
The 6-4 sophomore has been a reliable player for Wisconsin as well. Blackwell has taken a big leap and has been a great scoring partner with Tonje. When the Badgers need him, he typically produces. Blackwell has scored 20-plus points six times since the calendar flipped to 2025, with four of those games coming on the road. At USC, Blackwell had 28 points on 10 of 16 shooting and he scored a season-high 32 in a win over Iowa on Jan. 3, a game in which the Badgers scored 116 points.
He also spurred the Badgers to a road win over Minnesota on Wednesday with a 25-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Dynamic scoring wings has Badgers thinking big
The Johns have been reliable scorers, spurring a Badgers’ dynamic offense. No, that’s not a misprint. Gard has found a roster that compliments themselves well, led by two dynamic wings. A dynamic offense on the hardwood hasn’t been a common occurrence. Typically, the Badgers have been known as a program with scoring droughts, not draining buckets with ease.
The Badgers are peaking at the right time and could get their first two games of the NCAA Tournament in Wisconsin at Fiserv Forum if they keep up their strong play. The Badgers were among the top 16 teams and named a 3-seed in the recent NCAA Tournament reveal prior to beating No. 7 Purdue last month.
With the scoring punch on the wings and the complimentary roster, many pundits say this Badgers squad is the best since the Final Four teams at Wisconsin. Gard’s turnaround of a floundering offensive program in short order and having two wings who are certified buckets has pundits and fans thinking of big things in March for the Badgers.
