Wisconsin basketball cruised to an 83-55 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday afternoon.
Backed by another stellar scoring performance from star wing John Tonje, the Badgers controlled the score for virtually all 40 minutes. Eleven different playmakers scored for Greg Gard, and Wisconsin led by as many as 31 points late in the second half.
Tonje dropped 27 points, 15 of which arrived in the first frame, and corralled five rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Sophomore guard John Blackwell finished with 14 points and four boards, Kamari McGee scored 11 points and nailed three three-pointers off the bench and Max Klesmit chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds.
As a team, Wisconsin shot a blistering 45.9% from outside. While the team reached the charity stripe just eight times, it chalked up 18 assists on its 30 made field goals.
Here are five stats that defined UW’s 16th win of the 2024-25 season and sixth in Big Ten play.
1. 17 made three-point field goals
Sunday’s performance should remind Badger fans of what the team accomplished in its 116-85 route over Iowa on Jan. 3. Wisconsin drilled 21 three-pointers that night, a program record. Through the first five minutes of action on Sunday, it appeared as if UW would shatter that mark.
Still, 17 made looks from outside personifies what this cohort has done offensively this season. The Badgers have evolved from a meticulous defensive-oriented team to one more focused on the damage it can inflict offensively. In today’s game, that is paramount.
2. Wisconsin’s 19-2 run to start the game
This outburst set the tone for what would ensue in the following 35 minutes of play. During the spurt, both Tonje and Blackwell dropped eight tallies, and the Badgers netted five total three-point field goals in that span. Nebraska, meanwhile, mustered just one made field goal.
Yes, the Badgers needed to play well for the remainder of the contest, but the run clearly sucked the life out of Nebraska’s crew from the opening tip.
3. Wisconsin’s eight free throw attempts
For a team with the most proficient free throw percentage in the nation, eight free throw attempts would likely translate to a Wisconsin loss. Fortunately for UW, the Badgers covered any free throw holes with one of the program’s best showings from outside all season. Still, given the Badgers’ seasonal output from the free throw line, this type of performance is a rarity.
4. 27 points from John Tonje
The two-time Big Ten Player of the Week finished atop Wisconsin’s score sheet for the second straight week. After going scoreless against USC on the road, Tonje has scored a combined 51 points against the Cornhuskers and the UCLA Bruins dating back to Jan. 22. He’s now up to 18 points and 4.9 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game in his first season in Madison.
5. 8 points from Connor Essegian
Essegian, who played under Greg Gard for two seasons, made his return to the Kohl Center for the first time since he transferred to the Cornhuskers’ program this spring. In 23 minutes off the bench, he shot 3-of-10 and 2-of-7 from deep. He’s flashed his skill set several times throughout the 2024-25 season, but his loss has ultimately not proven detrimental for the Badgers.
