Tag: Holy Cross

Wisconsin basketball falls in ESPN BPI after opening win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin basketball falls in ESPN BPI after opening win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 season with an 85-61 victory over Holy Cross on Monday.

Despite the final 24-point margin, the win was far from a wire-to-wire dominant showing. The Badgers trailed 13-3 in the first minutes, 23-7 halfway through the first half and 36-35 at halftime. The team eventually found its form, but could not coast to an easy victory against ESPN BPI’s No. 331 (of 364) team in the sport.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Those early-game struggles and lack of overall dominance saw the Badgers dip in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index despite the win. The team dropped from its preseason slot of No. 28 down to No. 39, also down to the No. 9-ranked team in the Big Ten.

ESPN BPI now projects the Badgers’ final record at 18.2 — 11.8 (10.4 — 9.6 in Big Ten play), and gives them a 5.5% chance to win the conference.

The good news: early-season rankings updates don’t define a team’s rest-of-season fate. The 2024-25 Badgers may face a predictable slow start with several new faces in the lineup. But the team projects to be one that improves as the season continues, especially as the transfer additions gel in the rotation and top youngsters including Daniel Freitag continue to develop.

Wisconsin’s second-half performance against Holy Cross showed the start of that development, as transfer wing John Tonje and sophomore forward Nolan Winter took over the matchup.

The Badgers are back on the Kohl Center court on Thursday against Montana State (No. 173 in BPI). They then continue with a home matchup with Appalachian State (No. 194) before a high-profile showdown with top-ranked Arizona (No. 5).

Badgers fans should watch for progress from the team through each of these matchups. Steady development from Greg Gard’s group will have it in strong position once Big Ten play heats up in January.

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Wisconsin coach Greg Gard’s son tallies first points as a Badger in win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard’s son tallies first points as a Badger in win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin basketball’s season-opening win over Holy Cross was not as decisive as the 85-61 final score indicates.

The Badgers trailed the Crusaders, ESPN BPI’s No. 331 (of 364) team in the sport, 13-3 in the opening minutes of the game, 23-7 midway through the first half and 36-35 at halftime. A second-half surge led by transfer wing John Tonje created enough separation for the final score to indicate wire-to-wire dominance despite the Badgers’ significant early deficit.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

That separation, importantly, led to a great moment for Badgers head coach Greg Gard and his son, Isaac.

Isaac, a junior walk-on guard, got one minute of action in the game’s closing moments. He made that limited action count, drilling a three-pointer for the first points of his college career:

Isaac joined the team as a walk-on ahead of the 2022-23 season. He appeared in five games that season, then six games in 2023-24. He was just 0/2 from the field over those 11 appearances as a freshman and sophomore.

The reaction of Wisconsin’s bench says it all, highlighted by John Blackwell leaping in the air.

Greg Gard highlighted that reaction when speaking about the moment postgame:

“It’s a credit to [Isaac],” Gard said. “He’s put time into it. He’s made himself a better player. He’s gotten bigger and stronger, it’s amazing what a weight room four days a week will do for somebody…I’m standing there as I’m trying to get guys in the game, and I knew the shot clock was winding down a little bit. Just the reaction of his teammates. To them, yea, he’s coach’s son, but he’s one of the guys. And they know at home, he’s my son. But at practice, he’s one of the guys. It’s neat. It’s obviously cool for him.”

The Badgers’ head coach continued to reflect on the moment:

“I don’t think his mom was at the game tonight, so I’m sure she’ll be pissed at me for not being able to see it live,” Gard continued. “He puts in just as much work as everybody else. He’s in the weight room, he’s running the hill. It’s hard being a coach’s kid. I haven’t been able to be present all the time as he was growing up, and our other two kids as well. To have this time with him day after day, you’re not making up for time, but you’re not losing any more time. And he’s also proven that he can be a handful some days when he’s running off screens and banging threes. He gives John Tonje nightmares…Just the team around him, that’s the neat part to watch. They’re happy for him and I’m happy for him too. Time goes fast, so you have to enjoy it. You won’t be able to coach your son forever.”

Wisconsin is back on the Kohl Center court on Thursday against Montana State. The team will look to notch another blowout victory, one large enough for Gard to again empty the bench late in the second half.

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How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 campaign with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The primary story from the Badgers’ opener: Transfer wing John Tonje had a program-best debut with 23 points and five rebounds, including going 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Tonje’s Wisconsin debut is significant news for Greg Gard and his staff as they work to replace the production of stars A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who transferred to Kansas and Louisville, respectively, this offseason. That opening performance establishes a comparison point for Tonje that is sure to persist throughout the season — more so with Storr, who plays the same position.

Here is Tonje’s full stat line, and how it compares to how Storr and Hepburn began their respective careers at new programs:

  • Tonje (85-61 win over Holy Cross): 27 minutes, 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, 6 of 11 from the floor, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 8 from the line
  • Storr (87-57 win over Howard): 15 minutes off the bench, five points, two rebounds, two assists, 2 of 5 from the floor, 1 of 1 from 3
  • Hepburn (93-45 win over Morehead State): 21 minutes, eight points, one rebound, four assists, 1 of 3 from the floor, 1 of 2 from 3, 5 of 5 from the line

Tonje boasted the best debut of the three on Monday night, although each played in a blowout nonconference win.

He also fared better than Wisconsin’s other transfer additions. Forward Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) tallied two points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes off the bench. Guard Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) missed the game with an injury.

Gard and the Badgers had a tough task attempting to replace the top-end production of Hepburn, Storr and forward Tyler Wahl (graduation). Tonje already appears to be a viable replacement, enough that his production may best that of Storr on No. 1 Kansas.

Tonje, Amos and possibly Hunter will return to the court on Thursday when the Badgers host Montana State. Storr and No. 1 Kansas will battle No. 9 North Carolina on Friday. Hepburn and Louisville will host No. 12 Tennessee on Saturday.

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Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

This story was updated to add new information.

Missouri transfer wing John Tonje headlined Wisconsin basketball’s season-opening win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The sixth-year senior led the team with 23 points and five rebounds on six of 11 shooting, three of six from three-point range and a perfect eight-for-eight from the free throw line. His offense was a key catalyst for the Badgers overcoming an early deficit and finishing with a 24-point win.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

For further context on Tonje’s impact, his 23 points are the most for a Badger in his Wisconsin debut since at least 2000, according to official word from the program.

The total surpasses Josh Gasser’s debut as a freshman in 2010 (21 points). Compared to other recent transfer additions, Tonje’s total of 23 points bests A.J. Storr’s 15 in the 2023-24 opener and Micah Potter’s 12 to begin 2019-20.

Tonje’s emergence has a versatile offensive weapon is significant news for a Wisconsin team looking to replace the wing production of Storr, who transferred to Kansas this offseason. The Missouri transfer already looks like an impact addition for Greg Gard and his staff as the Badgers enter a critical 2024-25 season.

Tonje will lead Wisconsin back on the court on Thursday for a home matchup with Montana State.

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RECAP: Wisconsin basketball beats Holy Cross in season opener

RECAP: Wisconsin basketball beats Holy Cross in season opener

The Wisconsin Badgers opened their season with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross at the Kohl Center on Nov. 4.

In his Badger debut, transfer guard John Tonje captained scoring duties with 23 points and corralled five rebounds. Sophomore center Nolan Winter shot a perfect 6-6 from the field for 15 points and snared a game-high eight rebounds, and sophomore guard John Blackwell registered 16 points and four boards as well.

Wisconsin utilized the exact same starting lineup vs. Holy Cross as it did in its scrimmage against UW-River Falls:

G: John Blackwell

G: Max Klesmit

G: John Tonje (transfer)

F: Nolan Winter

C: Steven Crowl

While the final score suggests a wire-to-wire domination, UW’s first half output said otherwise. After veteran center Steven Crowl nailed his first 3FG of the season, Holy Cross wing Gabe Warren scored 11 points to push the Crusaders ahead 13-3 within the first four minutes.

He and forward Caleb Kenney would maintain the pressure to bring the Holy Cross edge to 23-7 at the 11:54-minute mark. Tonje and Blackwell would help UW regain control, however, as they combined for 20 first-half points at intermission.

After sparring with Holy Cross for the first stanza of the second half, the Badgers surged offensively. Tonje and Blackwell picked up right where they left off; the duo scored 14 of UW’s first 22 second half tallies to make it 59-46 Wisconsin with just under 10 minutes to spare.

From then on, Winter handled virtually all the scoring duties for the Badgers. The 7-footer shined with 13 points in the final six minutes and showcased his range with two 3FG.

As a team, Wisconsin shot 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from outside and a perfect 16-16 from the charity stripe. Wisconsin out-rebounded Holy Cross 38-21 and scored 18 more points in the paint.

With both Crowl and Winter down low, UW poses a challenging matchup for any team without size. Against Holy Cross, a team without a 7-footer on its 2024-25 roster, there’s no denying that the Badgers entered the game with a clear advantage,

Still, the story was the play from Tonje. A capable shooter and veteran presence in UW’s locker room, it appears as if head coach Greg Gard will lean on the former Missouri and Colorado State hooper to pick up some of the scoring slack after AJ Storr transferred to Kansas.

Guard Kamari McGee also looked sharp. In 27 minutes off the bench, the senior logged 7 points and four assists as the pilot of Wisconsin’s second unit.

Wisconsin now moves to 9-0 in season openers under Gard. The Badgers will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 9, vs. Montana State at the Kohl Center.

Wisconsin basketball vs. Holy Cross injury report: Badgers without a top transfer addition

Wisconsin basketball vs. Holy Cross injury report: Badgers without a top transfer addition

Wisconsin basketball has released its injury report ahead of its season-opening contest against Holy Cross.

The Badgers will be without transfer guard Camren Hunter, while top forward Nolan Winter is considered a game-time decision, according to 247Sports’ Evan Flood.

Related: Projecting Wisconsin basketball’s starting lineup, rotation entering the 2024-25 season

Both Hunter and Winter were on the court for the team’s recent scrimmage against UW-River Falls last Wednesday. Winter was in the starting lineup — signaling an increased role after he was Steven Crowl’s primary backup in 2023-24. He played 24 minutes in the scrimmage win, totaling eight points and seven rebounds.

Hunter, meanwhile, played just five minutes as a depth option off the bench. The Central Arkansas transfer projects to enter the season behind Max Klesmit, John Blackwell, John Tonje, Kamari McGee and Daniel Freitag on the team’s backcourt depth chart. His status is of note after he missed the entire 2023-24 season with an injury.

Wisconsin and Holy Cross will tip-off at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT at the Kohl Center. The game will be available via stream on BTN+ and on radio on the Badger Sports Network.

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How to watch Wisconsin basketball vs. Holy Cross

How to watch Wisconsin basketball vs. Holy Cross

Wisconsin basketball officially begins its 2024-25 season on Monday night at the Kohl Center.

The opening opponent: the Holy Cross Crusaders — KenPom’s No. 343 team in the nation and 10th of 11 in the Patriot League.

Related: Projecting Wisconsin basketball’s starting lineup, rotation entering the 2024-25 season

The Badgers enter the season ranked No. 47 in KenPom. The metric and most preview services submit a cautious outlook for the team after it lost top contributors Tyler Wahl, Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr after last season.

Wisconsin appears to have a team deep enough to establish a strong position in the new Big Ten landscape. Transfer additions John Tonje, Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos, and top freshman Daniel Freitag all figure to play significant roles.

But the bigger question surrounding the team is its top-end talent. A deep bench of contributors won’t make a substantial difference if nobody emerges as the go-to option. Sophomore John Blackwell is a popular pick to fill that top role.

Those questions won’t be definitively answered during Wisconsin’s season opener on Monday against Holy Cross. We will, however, begin to learn what the season has in store.

Here is how to watch Wisconsin’s 2024-25 opener:

  • Date: Monday, Nov. 4, 2024
  • Opponent: Holy Cross
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: BTN+ (stream)

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Rudy was on Sports Illustrated cover featuring Notre Dame and UCLA

Before he was famous.

[autotag]Rudy Ruettiger[/autotag] is a name that needs no introduction to Notre Dame fans. Obviously, that wasn’t always the case, and it really only became such after his movie came out. But Ruettiger had a brief brush with fame well before his famous play.

In 1973, UCLA was in the middle of a lengthy winning streak en route to its seventh straight national championship. That prompted the attention of Sports Illustrated, which opted to highlight the Bruins on their cover with none other than Bill Walton as the centerpiece.

However, one thing about the cover easily can be overlooked. Sportswriter and Notre Dame alumnus John Walters brought this to everyone’s attention:

Yes, that’s Ruettiger. Walters indicates in the replies that Ruettiger told him himself. If you remember the end of the movie, you’ll know he’s sitting behind the in-universe version of his family at the game. This definitely looks like him.

If you look at the date, you’ll notice this aligns with when Ruettiger was a student at Holy Cross. So this happened in the middle of the journey that would immortalize him. Hey, we all have to start somewhere.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Report: Wisconsin basketball to play Holy Cross in 2024-25 season opener

Report: Wisconsin basketball to play Holy Cross in 2024-25 season opener

The Wisconsin Badgers will reportedly host the Holy Cross Crusaders for their 2024-25 season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Kohl Center, according to college basketball analyst Rocco Miller.

UW’s compiled a 22-14 overall mark in 2023-24 after being ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation in February. Wisconsin would ultimately earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 12 James Madison in the first round.

Since that point, Greg Gard’s program experienced a seismic shift in personnel.

Wisconsin reworked its roster this offseason with the addition of three top transfers: Central Arkansas guard Camren Hunter, Missouri guard John Tonje and Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos. Those three players will fill the voids left by the departures of star point guard Chucky Hepburn (transfer), A.J. Storr (transfer) and Tyler Wahl (graduation).

Serbian signee Andrija Vukovic, point guard Daniel Freitag and guard Jack Robison will also don the scarlet and red as freshmen during the 2024-25 season. Freitag, a top-ranked class of 2024 prospect, will look to ignite UW’s backcourt in a now-loaded 18-team conference.

The Badgers will also host 10 Big Ten opponents this season, including new conference foes Washington and Oregon. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Penn State also will venture to Madison, Wisconsin for contests in the Kohl Center.

Most notably, Greg Gard and company will travel to Los Angeles for bouts against UCLA and USC, the other two Big Ten additions for the 2024-2025 campaign. Wisconsin also will visit Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue and Rutgers.

The Badgers will also participate in the 2024-25 Greenbrier Tip-Off event featuring LSU, Pittsburgh and UCF, and will face Butler in a neutral site contest this season.

2024 NFL draft: Chiefs take Holy Cross OL C.J. Hanson with pick No. 248

With pick No. 248 in the 2024 NFL draft, the Kansas City #Chiefs selected Holy Cross OL C.J. Hanson

The Kansas City Chiefs finally addressed their defense with the No. 248 selection in the 2024 NFL draft, picking up Holy Cross guard C.J. Hanson.

The offensive line’s depth is the story of this year’s draft, as the Chiefs add yet another young blocker to their front five. A standout from Holy Cross, Hanson is a two-time All-Patriot League first-team selection and was a fan-favorite in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Hanson impressed scouts after his strong performances at the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine earlier in the offseason. A month ago, he also participated in Holy Cross’ pro day in front of 30 NFL scouts, which helped raise his draft stock enough to justify his selection on Day 3.

Kansas City’s addition of more young, versatile offensive linemen will increase competition heading into training camp. The injury to All-Pro Joe Thuney may have contributed to the increased attention to roster depth on the offensive line.