Wisconsin’s basketball’s most important player added another signature performance to his 2024-25 campaign on Friday. 

In the Badgers’ 86-70 Big Ten Tournament victory over the UCLA Bruins, star wing John Tonje dropped 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes of action. To make that output more impressive, he did so on 9-of-10 shooting from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc.

As he’s demonstrated throughout the 2024-25 regular season, Tonje kick-started the Badgers’ offensive attack to open the contest against the Bruins. During a first half where UW connected on 12 three-point attempts, the North Omaha, Nebraska, native nailed four looks from outside within the first nine minutes of action.

Arguably his most impressive basket came with 11:40 remaining in the first half. In the sequence, the 6’5” playmaker hit an and-one three-pointer over UCLA’s Sebastian Mack to stretch Wisconsin’s lead to nine points.

Tonje would score 13 more points in the second half to help guide Wisconsin to a tournament record-tying 19 three-point makes. In the process, the senior moved up to third on the Badgers’ all-time single-season scoring list, now only behind legends Frank Kaminski and Alando Tucker.

After the contest, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin spoke with the media and shared his perspective on Tonje, a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist.

“I voted for him for Player of the Year in the league,” Cronin said. “We had to rank them. I voted Tonje one, [Braden] Smith from Purdue two. Very close, but I gave Tonje the nod. That’s how good I think he is.”

While Smith took home the award, Tonje proved his value in Wisconsin head-to-head win over Purdue, as he dropped 27 decisive points. Tonje has undoubtedly been Wisconsin’s best offensive player during a season that has become one of the more successful in recent memory.

Tonje and the Badgers will be back in action on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals against Michigan State.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Wisconsin’s basketball’s most important player added another signature performance to his 2024-25 campaign on Friday. 

In the Badgers’ 86-70 Big Ten Tournament victory over the UCLA Bruins, star wing John Tonje dropped 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes of action. To make that output more impressive, he did so on 9-of-10 shooting from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc.

As he’s demonstrated throughout the 2024-25 regular season, Tonje kick-started the Badgers’ offensive attack to open the contest against the Bruins. During a first half where UW connected on 12 three-point attempts, the North Omaha, Nebraska, native nailed four looks from outside within the first nine minutes of action.

Arguably his most impressive basket came with 11:40 remaining in the first half. In the sequence, the 6’5” playmaker hit an and-one three-pointer over UCLA’s Sebastian Mack to stretch Wisconsin’s lead to nine points.

Tonje would score 13 more points in the second half to help guide Wisconsin to a tournament record-tying 19 three-point makes. In the process, the senior moved up to third on the Badgers’ all-time single-season scoring list, now only behind legends Frank Kaminski and Alando Tucker.

After the contest, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin spoke with the media and shared his perspective on Tonje, a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist.

“I voted for him for Player of the Year in the league,” Cronin said. “We had to rank them. I voted Tonje one, [Braden] Smith from Purdue two. Very close, but I gave Tonje the nod. That’s how good I think he is.”

While Smith took home the award, Tonje proved his value in Wisconsin head-to-head win over Purdue, as he dropped 27 decisive points. Tonje has undoubtedly been Wisconsin’s best offensive player during a season that has become one of the more successful in recent memory.

Tonje and the Badgers will be back in action on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals against Michigan State.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion