The Wisconsin Badgers lost to Penn State to finish the regular season, falling to 5th in the Big Ten standings. That meant they had to play an extra round in the conference tournament, requiring three wins in three days to reach the Big Ten title game.
By beating 13-seed Northwestern, no. 4 UCLA and, now, on Saturday, knocking off the 1-seed Spartans 77-74, the Badgers have done just that. And as has been a theme this season, they leaned on their 6th-year senior, guard John Tonje, to take them across the finish line.
His 32 points against Michigan State led Wisconsin to an elating victory over their top rival this season, avenging their 71-62 loss earlier this season.
John Tonje Rose to the Occasion Yet Again in Wisconsin Badgers’ Revenge Game vs Michigan State Spartans
It was just Tonje’s performance today. After cooling in the home stretch of the regular season, he has stepped up big-time in the tournament. His performance Friday versus the Bruins, 26 points on 9-10 from the field and 6-6 on threes, played a major role in getting them to the semifinals. Against Northwestern in the second round, he and Nolan Winter led the team with 18 points apiece. Saturday, he reached his 32 points on just 15 shot attempts.
Tonje has been scoring with increased efficiency during the tournament, averaging 21.3 PPG overall while 61.5% (57.1 3P%). Against the Spartans he also capitalized when fouled, going 12-14 at the line.
He hasn’t just been scoring, though. Taking advantage of his size against Michigan State’s energetic but smaller guards, he recorded 7 rebounds for the fifth straight game reaching that total.
His punctuating contribution to the win also came on the defensive end, right after botching two free throws, his only misses of the day, that would have iced it: a block on Jeremy Fears’ last-second, potentially game-tying threeball. It appeared as though he might have gotten away with a foul, but replay revealed a clean rejection, sealing Wisconsin’s W.
Badgers Fans Should Feel Good About Games Ahead
His heroics earned him the on-court interview after the game. “I had to recover quick, just make the next play,” Tonje said of his mindset after missing at the stripe.
All season, Tonje has been the the Badgers’ go-to guy. “It’s a blessing,” he said. “This team believes in me, everyone top to bottom. I just want to show the younger guys, you know, we’re here. Gotta be confident, gotta fight hard and be a part of these big games.”
The 23-year-old has had a fantastic final season in college, coming into the game averaging 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds while notching 47.3/39.8/91.3% shooting splits. Sophomore John Blackwell, the only only other Badger in double figures, added 14 in the win over MSU.
Now he and his fellow Badgers will set their sights on a Big Ten tournament crown. “It would be amazing, that’s what we came here to do. We’re gonna celebrate a little bit and then be ready for the turnaround tomorrow.”
At 3:30 ET on Sunday, Wisconsin will face the winner of today’s matchup between 3-seed Michigan and 4-seed Maryland. They will likely open as small favorites.
In the NCAA tournament, ESPN currently projects the Badgers as a 3-seed. They would face Horizon League champs Robert Morris.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
