The Wisconsin Badgers have secured a come-from-behind win over the Pittsburgh Panthers to secure the Greenbrier Tip-Off Championship title.
The Badgers entered the game as two-point underdogs against arguably one of the toughest teams that could be added to the schedule during a tip-off tournament. Pittsburgh is full of gritty veteran basketball players and a ton of extremely capable defenders who know their way around the basketball court. Wisconsin struggled to adjust at first as the regular style of basketball the team had been playing was not working against a team of the Panthers caliber.
Pittsburgh is considered to be one of the top ACC basketball programs this season and it is largely due to the in-your-face defense they have. The Panthers do not want to give players any time to breathe and by doing so it often forces a team to alter the pace of play. Wisconsin tried to play faster than Pittsburgh to start the game, but that resulted in three early turnovers for a team that typically takes care of the basketball.
After nearly the entire first-half of play went by, the Wisconsin Badgers managed to adjust and fed guard John Tonje the basketball at will. Tonje got the job done, scoring 33-points for his second outburst of such a high volume this season already.
The Wisconsin Badgers scored 54-points on offense in the second-half of play to takeover the game and win the tip-off tournament. The win was not only great to see for a thriving team, but it was also a statement of the changed nature of the team. Wisconsin has long not been a program that could score with such ease like the current Badgers squad has been able to do during the 2024 season.
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Reactions Following Big Greenbrier Tip-Off Championship Win
After the Wisconsin Badgers secured the win, there was plenty of reactions to what the team was able to accomplish both in the game and in this young season thus far.
Who is John Tonje? To the blind, he is the light. To the hungry, he is bread. To the sick, he is the cure. To the lonely, he is company. To the sad, he is joy. To the prisoner, he is freedom. For the poor, he is treasure. For me, he is my everything. pic.twitter.com/ibhrNRoq4G
— Badger Enthusiast (@Badger_szn) November 25, 2024
There are 15 D-I men’s CBB teams that have won a game vs. a team ranked inside the KenPom Top 25.
There is ONLY one (1) D-I men’s CBB team that has won MULTIPLE games vs. a team ranked inside the KenPom Top 25:
• Wisconsin Badgers – 2 (#17 Pitt, #22 Arizona)
Beat the best. pic.twitter.com/nPfFf6NIY9
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 25, 2024
Wisconsin scored 54 points in the second half to come back and beat Pitt 81-75 to remain undefeated.
The Badgers have never scored the basketball in the HISTORY of their program like they’ve scored the basketball to start this season. https://t.co/YVTr5VTyyi
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 25, 2024
Wisconsin is 7-0 for the first time since the 2014-15 season. That year, Frank Kaminsky and the Badgers went 36-4 and reached the national championship game. Wisconsin takes it over Pitt 81-75 to win the Greenbrier Tip-Off. John Tonje posted his second 30+ point game of the year.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) November 25, 2024
Wisconsin with another big win, and the Badgers get out of the gates strong for the second straight year.
John Tonje one of the best and most underrated portal additions, as he had 41 against Arizona and 33 tonight against Pitt.
Wisconsin now 7-0 with wins over Arizona, Pitt…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 25, 2024
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