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Next Game:
UT-Rio Grande Valley
11/18/2024 | 7 PM
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Nov. 18 (Mon) / 7 PM
UT-Rio Grande Valley
History
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, John Tonje erupted for a career-high 41 points, just two shy of the Wisconsin record, leading the Badgers past the No. 9 ranked Arizona Wildcats with a decisive score of 103-88 on Friday night. The triumph marked Wisconsin’s first ranked win this season.
Wisconsin (4-0) never trailed throughout the contest, showcasing their dominance on the court, and fans jubilantly stormed the Kohl Center floor in celebration after the final buzzer sounded.
Tonje was exceptional, shooting 8 for 14 from the field, including an impressive 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, and he demonstrated remarkable accuracy at the foul line by sinking 21 of 22 attempts, setting a new school record for free throws made in a single game.
The existing scoring record of 43 points for Wisconsin is held by Frank Kaminsky, who attended Friday’s game as part of a special ceremony celebrating the Badgers’ 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams. Kaminsky’s remarkable performance against North Dakota on Nov. 19, 2013, remains a high watermark for the program.
Jaden Bradley contributed 22 points, while Trey Townsend and KJ Lewis added 17 and 15 points, respectively, for Arizona (2-1). For Wisconsin, alongside Tonje’s standout performance, John Blackwell scored 14 points and Max Klesmit contributed 13 points.
During halftime, the Kohl Center crowd witnessed the raising of a banner bearing the name of former coach Bo Ryan, in honor of his recent induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Takeaways
Arizona: The Wildcats struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, particularly with preseason Associated Press All-America guard Caleb Love having a challenging night, shooting only 2 of 13 from the field and finishing with just six points before fouling out with 4:57 remaining in the game.
Wisconsin: After witnessing an 18-point lead diminish, the Badgers quickly regathered control of the match, successfully avenging last season’s 98-73 defeat to Arizona.
Key stats
The game was marked by an astounding 63 combined fouls (32 attributed to Arizona) and an astonishing total of 87 free throw attempts. Wisconsin converted 41 of their 47 shots from the line, while Arizona managed 28 of 40.
Notable:
- Wisconsin went 41-for-47 (87.2%) from the free throw line and is now shooting an NCAA-leading 90.0% (90-for-100) from the charity stripe on the season.
- Wisconsin’s 41 makes at the line tied UW’s program record – 41 at Illinois, Jan. 1, 1955.
- Wisconsin’s 103 points were its most against a ranked opponent in program history. The Badgers broke the century mark for the first time against a ranked opponent since Feb.10, 1970 at No. 14 Iowa (L, 100-119).
- Wisconsin scored 100+ points for the first time against a Power 5 school since posting 101 vs. Northwestern on Feb. 3, 1993.
- The victory was UW’s first ranked win since March 16, 2024 vs. No. 3 Purdue. The win was UW’s first ranked win during the regular season since knocking off No. 3 Marquette on Dec. 2, 2023.
Quotable:
Head Coach Greg Gard opening statement:
“As I told these guys in the locker room, it exemplifies how special it is to be part of this program, how important playing for the front of the jersey is, and they got a chance to experience how special this place is tonight. I mean, I think I was most proud of the response when it was 65 all, that showed me the guts and toughness that is starting to develop with this group.”
Senior guard Max Klesmit on the game’s atmosphere:
“This is a night we will never forget. Having a team like Arizona, who’s really good at basketball, well-coached team coming in here and being able to have the Kohl Center full. It’s everything you dream of as a kid.”
Graduate forward John Tonje on drawing fouls:
“I just think being aggressive, our mindset and mentality coming into this game was just to bring it to them, and not wait for them to hit us first. I think it really showed just on how many times I got fouled.”
Up Next:
The Badgers host UT-Rio Grande Valley at the Kohl Center on Monday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. (CT) on Big Ten Network.
What motivated John Tonje during his historic game against the Arizona Wildcats?
**Interview with John Tonje: Badgers’ Star After Historic Game**
**Editor:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with John Tonje, star player from the Wisconsin Badgers, who lit up the court in a thrilling victory over the Arizona Wildcats. Congratulations on your career-high 41 points, John!
**John Tonje:** Thank you! It was an incredible game, and I’m just glad I could contribute to the team’s success.
**Editor:** You came incredibly close to breaking the school record. How does it feel to be just two points shy of that milestone?
**John Tonje:** Honestly, it’s bittersweet. Set records are meant to be broken, but what really matters is that we got the win. To help my team secure a victory against a ranked opponent is what I’ll always remember.
**Editor:** You shot impressively from the free-throw line, hitting 21 of 22 attempts. What was your mindset during those moments at the charity stripe?
**John Tonje:** I just focused on my routine. I’ve always practiced my free throws, so I approached each shot with the same intensity. Getting to the line often is a big part of our game plan, and I’m glad I was able to convert when it counted.
**Editor:** The team demonstrated great resilience, regaining control after an 18-point lead slipped away. What was going through your mind during that challenging stretch?
**John Tonje:** It was key for us to stay composed. We had worked hard all game, and we couldn’t let our guard down. We rallied around each other, reminded ourselves of our goals, and ultimately fought back to regain momentum.
**Editor:** With Wisconsin’s spectacular free-throw shooting this season, what’s the team’s strategy that leads to such high percentages?
**John Tonje:** We emphasize the importance of getting to the line. Our coaching staff really encourages us to attack the rim, and we always put in the hours working on our free-throw shooting during practice. It becomes second nature when the game is on the line.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, the Badgers have a big matchup against UT-Rio Grande Valley coming up. What’s the team focusing on in preparation for that game?
**John Tonje:** Every game is important, and we’re treating this one no differently. We’ll review our film, work on our defense, and ensure we maintain the same energy and intensity we had against Arizona. It’s all about building on this momentum.
**Editor:** Thank you for your time, John! Best of luck in your next game on November 18th!
**John Tonje:** Thank you! I appreciate the support!