Tag: greenbrier tip off

RECAP: John Tonje explodes for 25 second-half points as Badgers beat Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

RECAP: John Tonje explodes for 25 second-half points as Badgers beat Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

Wisconsin basketball squeezed past Pittsburgh 81-75 to pick up its seventh victory of the 2024-25 season on Sunday.

With the win, Wisconsin pocketed first-place at the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off. The tournament triumph is UW’s third non-conference November tournament title dating back to 2021 and it’s sixth since 2005.

For the second time this season, wing John Tonje spearheaded the Badgers’ offensive effort in historic fashion. The transfer wing scored 33 points off 11-of-19 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 clip from the free throw line. Most notably, 25 of his 33 points arrived in the second half.

By no surprise, Tonje’s output earned him 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off MVP nods.

Down by as many as 14 in the first half, the Badgers never wavered. UW opened the second half with an 11-2 scoring surge courtesy of five buckets from five different playmakers. Fueled by an unconscious Tonje, Wisconsin used that momentum to take a 51-50 lead at the 11:15-minute mark.

The score would seesaw until veteran guard Kamari McGee, who scored 10 points off the bench, canned a three-pointer to push Wisconsin ahead 65-62. Tonje would follow with a layup on the ensuing possession, and the Badgers did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game.

Pittsburgh did bring it to within one, 71-70, but the Badgers made timely shots when it mattered most. In the end, late-game shot-making and superstar contributions from one of college basketball’s most talented transfers proved the difference.

For the game, Wisconsin shot 48.3% from the field and 81.8% from the free throw line. In just the second half, UW scored 54 of its 81 points, shot 60% from the field, recorded 50% mark from the three-point line and registered a 92.9% clip from the free throw line.

John Blackwell added 14 points, three rebounds and two steals in the win, Nolan Winter scored 11, Kamari McGee accounted for 10 points off the bench and Steven Crowl snagged nine rebounds.

The Badgers’ start to the season is the program’s best since 2014-15, the year Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes led UW to the NCAA Tournament Title game. By the looks of it, this team could be special.

Wisconsin sophomore center logs first career double-double in win over UCF

Wisconsin sophomore center logs first career double-double in win over UCF

Wisconsin sophomore center Nolan Winter logged his first career double-double in the Badgers’ win over UCF on Friday.

After senior center Steven Crowl accumulated three fouls early in the first half, Winter stepped up in a big way. The second-year Badger logged 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 1-of-2 from the three-point line. The big man also corralled a game-best 10 rebounds in the 86-70 win.

Despite scoring 15 points in his first game of the 2024-25 slate, this was easily Winter’s best performance of the season thus far. He fit seamlessly into Greg Gard’s overall scheme and absolutely dominated in the interior.

In 29 minutes of action, Winter was also responsible for five offensive rebounds. Those boards created opportunities for more points in the painted area, a category in which Wisconsin outclassed UCF.

On the season, Winter is averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just under 20 minutes per game. His size as UW’s starting forward makes the Badgers’ front court all the more formidable to defend.

With wing John Tonje and guard John Blackwell responsible for a bulk of Wisconsin’s offensive workload, Winter naturally receives less defensive attention in the half court.

The Badgers will be back on the floor for a matchup against Pittsburgh in their second game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off on Nov. 24.

LOOK: Wisconsin arrives at Greenbrier Tip-Off for first road games of 2024-25 season

LOOK: Wisconsin arrives to Greenbrier Tip-Off for first road game of 2024-25 season

Wisconsin (5-0) will play its first road game of the 2024-25 season against UCF (4-0) at the Greenbrier Tip-Off on Friday.

Staged at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the non-conference tournament serves as an early-season test for the No. 19-ranked Badgers.

Unlike any other game throughout the season, the atmosphere surrounding these two or three-day tournaments is much different than a contest at the Kohl Center or elsewhere. The environments often stray from what players may be accustomed to, as they’re usually played in a condensed gymnasium or a ballroom.

Just a day before their test vs. the Knights, Wisconsin’s group appears to be acclimating to that environment. The Badgers staged Thursday’s practice in what appears to be an actual ballroom. Ornate drapes and chairs quite literally surround the hardwood.

Luckily for John Tonje and company, Greg Gard has been here before. The Badgers have participated in 17 non-conference tournaments over the past 19 seasons, including seven of the previous eight seasons under Gard.

Wisconsin has found immense success at these events under Gard, headlined by a recent win at the 2023 Fort Myers Tip-Off.

The Badgers’ second game of the weekend is scheduled for Nov. 24 against either LSU or Pittsburgh, depending on Friday’s results. A tournament triumph would unquestionably elevate in the Badgers even higher in the next version of the AP Poll.

Wisconsin basketball receives opening opponent for Greenbrier Tip-Off

Wisconsin basketball receives opening opponent for Greenbrier Tip-Off

Wisconsin men’s basketball to open the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off against the University of Central Florida on Friday, Nov. 22.

Wisconsin will also participate alongside Pittsburgh and LSU in what will be the event’s first installment in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The first announcement surrounding Wisconsin’s involvement with the early-season tournament arrived in early March.

The circuit will take place from Nov. 22 to 24 in a two-game bracketed tournament format. Following its first game, UW will face either LSU or Pitt on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The Badgers will also square off against the in-state rival Marquette Golden Eagles on Dec. 7, 2024, face Butler in a neutral site contest and open their season with Holy Cross at home.

Unlike previous seasons, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program will not play in an island resort or in Las Vegas during its annual Thanksgiving tournament.

Wisconsin basketball final Greenbrier tip-off opponent announced

Wisconsin basketball final Greenbrier tip-off opponent announced

LSU basketball program will join Wisconsin as the fourth program in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event, according to a recent press release.

The inaugural edition of the tournament is slated for November 22-24, 2024 and will take place at the resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The Badgers and LSU Tigers are two of four programs named as participants, alongside Pittsburgh and UCF.

The tournament website notes that the four teams will take part in a two-game bracketed tournament. Travel packages will be available for fans starting on May 21.

The Greenbrier has yet to announce official matchups, game start times and television viewing capabilities.

Since the tournament was announced in early March, Wisconsin’s men’s basketball program has experienced a shift in personnel.

The Badgers have made three transfer splashes thus far: guard John Tonje, point guard Camren Hunter and power forward Xavier Amos. Greg Gard and his staff remain active in the portal as the program looks to improve entering 2024-25 and beyond.

His work has mainly been to mitigate the losses of departed players AJ Storr (portal), Chucky Hepburn (portal), Tyler Wahl (graduation) and Connor Essegian (portal).

In a college basketball world where most Thanksgiving tip-off tournaments take place in remote islands, Las Vegas or Florida, West Virginia will certainly be a change of pace for the Badgers.

Wisconsin to participate in 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off

Wisconsin to participate in 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off

Wisconsin will participate in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event, according to a report from CBSSports’ Jon Rothstein and a release by the program.

It will be the inaugural edition of the event, is scheduled from November 22-24 and will take place at the resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Related: Wisconsin faithful, college basketball world react to Howard Moore’s emotional return to Kohl Center

The Badgers are one of three programs named as participants, alongside Pittsburgh and UCF. There will reportedly be a fourth team, though that final team is yet to be announced.

The tournament website lists Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, UCF and ‘Team 4,’ and offers preliminary travel packages to attend the event.

In a college basketball world where most Thanksgiving tip-off tournaments take place in remote islands, Las Vegas or Florida, West Virginia is certainly a change of pace.

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