The Badgers struggled defensively for much of the contest, allowing the Vaqueros to shoot 49% from the floor and nearly 40% from 3. The team was somewhat on the ropes midway through the second half before John Blackwell and John Tonje led a scoring surge that tipped the scales, eventually leading to the three-point win.
One big stat that continues to matter: Wisconsin shot 84.4% (27-of-32) from the free-throw line in the victory. The team’s final 11 points came from the charity stripe. The Badgers are No. 2 in the nation in team free throw percentage at 88.6%; the stat has been a driving force behind the team’s 5-0 start.
That undefeated start led to national recognition, even before the win over UT Rio Grande. Wisconsin entered the AP Poll at No. 19 and USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll at No. 25 on Monday.
While the Badgers’ resume is building with each passing performance, their win on Monday didn’t impress some rating metrics. Wisconsin dropped 11 spots in KenPom from No. 29 to No. 40 after the win. Greg Gard’s team possesses the 18th-ranked offense and 83rd-ranked defense in the metric.
Allowing 84 points to a UT Rio Grande team that is No. 199 in KenPom assuredly led to the ratings downgrade, specifically defensively.
The Badgers also dropped from No. 22 in ESPN BPI to No. 30, reflecting the same general trend. BPI has the team’s projected final record at 19.6-10.4 and gives it an 8.2% chance to win the Big Ten.
Minus the needed defensive improvements, it’s hard to not be impressed by Wisconsin’s start to the season. This early season stage figured to see significant growing pains with new faces in the rotation. Instead, the Badgers are flashing top form and entering the conversation atop the Big Ten.
Wisconsin is back on the court on Friday against UCF at the Greenbrier Tip-Off.
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The No. 3 ranked Tigers continued a ridiculously impressive non-conference run at Neville Arena with the win.
This story was updated to add new information
The Auburn Tigers continued a ridiculously impressive non-conference run on Monday night, again defeating an inferior North Alabama squad by a wide margin, 102-69, at Neville Arena. [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s squad is now 4-0 heading into their toughest stretch of the season, beginning next week with the ‘Maui Invitational’.
While the score was lopsided, Monday’s contest was fairly back-and-forth during a mostly competitive first half. North Alabama held the lead as late as 15 minutes into the game, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of junior guard Jacari Lane (16 points), who was at his most effective early on.
The Lions held the lead late in the frame after a Canin Jefferson 3-point put them ahead 33-32 lead with 5:12 to go in the opening frame, but things were pretty much all Auburn from there. Johni Broome 11 points over the half’s final 5 minutes helped the Tigers re-take a 13-point lead into the locker room.
Auburn’s momentum from the final minutes of the first half carried into the final 20 minutes, as the quartet of Denver Jones (13 points), Chad Baker-Mazara (12 points), Miles Kelly (12 points), and Dylan Cardwell (12 points) all finished in double-figures to help supplement an Auburn career-high 30-point performance from Johni Broome. Juniors Presly Patterson and CJ Williams also had personally historic nights in the blowout win. Patterson late 3-point shot was the first of his Auburn career, while a late jumper by Willaims not only gave Auburn its first 100-point game of the season, but gave Williams his first points as a Tiger as well.
The 102-point, offensive onslaught was Auburn’s best of the young season, which coach Pearl certainly loved to see considering an Iowa State team ranked No. 3 in defensive efficiency this season awaits the Tigers next week. That matchup with Iowa State, which will take place in the first round of the ‘Maui Invitational’ is currently scheduled for Monday, November 25 at 8:00 PM CST. Until then, the No. 3 ranked Auburn Tigers will enjoy another lopsided victory on the Plains.
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RECAP: Wisconsin’s upset bid falls short as Badgers fall to No. 1 Oregon 16-13
Wisconsin came within a fourth-quarter drive of a program-defining upset on Saturday night. The team’s upset bid fell just short, as the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks held on for a 16-13 win.
The Badgers tested the Ducks from the opening kick. Oregon started the game slow with a field goal and red-zone interception in its first two drives. Wisconsin struggled to find much offense through that time and entered the second quarter trailing just 6-0. The stat sheet showed a lopsided first frame, though the Badgers were still hanging tough on the scoreboard.
Wisconsin then found its form in the second frame. A strong defensive effort kept that margin at 6-0 as the Badgers finally found space for RB Tawee Walker. Braedyn Locke found WR Will Pauling for a one-yard touchdown in the quarter’s closing minutes, building a surprising 10-6 halftime lead.
Luke Fickell’s team has played strong first halves against top teams all season. Those results have flipped after the break, leading to final margins of 42-10 vs Alabama,38-21 vs USC and 28-13 vs Penn State.
Saturday’s contest was different. Wisconsin built its margin to 13-6 during a strong third quarter. The team found more and more running room as the game continued, putting the top-ranked Ducks squarely on the ropes.
Oregon faced a 4th-and-9 deep in Wisconsin territory entering the final frame, a defensive stop that could’ve defined Wisconsin’s upset victory.
Instead, Oregon’s playmakers decided the game down the stretch.
QB Dillon Gabriel found top tight end Terrance Ferguson on a tight-window throw on that 4th-and-9. Oregon RB Jordan James scored a few plays later, notching the score at 13 apiece.
Wisconsin then had several opportunities to regain control on offense and capitalize on the terrific opportunity. Those final drives were punt, punt, turnover on downs and a game-clinching interception. Oregon’s defense took over with the game in the balance.
No. 1 Oregon gets an interception to hold off an upset bid from Wisconsin.
Oregon escapes Wisconsin with a 16-13 victory, improving to 11-0 on the season and 8-0 in Big Ten play. The Ducks clinch a Big Ten title game appearance with the win.
Wisconsin drops to 5-5 on the season and 3-4 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Badgers must win one of their two closing games at Nebraska and vs. Minnesota to clinch bowl eligibility.
The Badgers put forth an encouraging effort after their disastrous loss at Iowa in Week 10. The sentiment will still reflect a missed opportunity after having the No. 1 team in the sport on the doorstep of defeat.
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Florida finally secured a win against a ranked opponent on Saturday, beating the LSU Tigers in Gainesville behind DJ Lagway and a strong defense.
The Florida Gators needed a pick-me-up win after getting thumped by Texas a week ago, and true freshman [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] answered the call by leading the Orange and Blue to a 27-16 victory over the No. 22 LSU Tigers Saturday afternoon.
The offense is far more dangerous with Lagway under center than Aidan Warner or Graham Mertz, and LSU’s defense couldn’t stop the Gators from scoring despite being on the field for just 18 minutes and change.
Florida scored five times — three touchdowns and two field goals — punting just four times and running out the clock at the end of each half. The Gators outplayed the Tigers while running half the amount of plays. If there were ever a win to back up Scott Stricklin’s vote of confidence in Billy Napier, this was it.
Florida still had bad moments throughout the afternoon. LSU converted on third and fourth down seemingly at will, but the Gators’ defense came up big over and over to keep the Tigers off the board. Seven sacks is the big stat of the day, but a depleted secondary also deserves some credit.
Anything is possible with Lagway
What a difference a week makes, huh?
Florida looked at its worst last week against Texas a week ago with third-stringer Aidan Warner leading the offense. The Longhorns took advantage of the quarterback’s lack of experience and shut down the Gators all afternoon.
But the minute DJ Lagway was cleared to play, the odds changed significantly in Florida’s favor. Lagway is explosive, both on the ground and in the air. Even with a bum leg, Lagway’s mobility in the pocket kept plays alive and forced the defense to respect the passing game all night.
He connected with Elijhah Badger six times on 10 targets for 131 yards and a touchdown, opening things up for the running backs late in the game. Florida only ran the ball 14 times, but a late 55-yard touchdown sealed the game. That doesn’t happen if the defense isn’t worried about Lagway launching a deep ball, and it came right after a 19-yard connection with tight end Hayden Hansen.
Napier might still need to hire an offensive coordinator this offseason, but he knows how to call the right plays for [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag].
The path to bowl eligibility seems clear now. All Florida has to do is beat Florida State in the season final two weeks from now. But could the Gators finish things on a winning streak by upsetting Ole Miss next week, too? Don’t say no with Lagway at the helm.
Sack attack
Coming into this matchup, many expected Garrett Nussmeier to carve up a depleted Florida secondary. Nussmeier found some success throughout the game, completing 27 of 47 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown, but Florida’s pass rush kept him scrambling.
The Gators ended the contest with seven sacks — two from Shemar James, and one from Caleb Banks, George Gumbs Jr., Kamran James, Tyreak Sapp and TJ Searcy. The two biggest came from James and Sapp on LSU’s final drive. James knocked Nussmeier out for a play, and Sapp forced the Tigers out of field goal position in a moment where a kick-and-recovery plan was still viable.
Napier hasn’t stopped talking about culture since he stepped on campus, and this kind of effort is why it’s so important. Plenty of teams would have given up after giving up nearly 50 and falling to a 4-5 record; not to mention the injury wave that has plagued Florida’s defense. But not this group. These guys play for Napier and the name across their chest.
The future is bright for Florida’s defense moving forward, regardless of what happens against Ole Miss next week.
Smack kept Florida in it
Florida trailed LSU for fewer than three minutes this week, and major kudos go to kicker Trey Smack for keeping the game within range with a 55-yarder in the third quarter to knot things back up at 13 points apiece. The defense followed up that kick with a turnover that led to a touchdown and then held LSU to a field goal on the next drive.
Earlier in the game, Smack drilled a 49-yarder, which won’t get the nod for being a 50-plus make but is basically the same as a 50-yard field goal. Special teams have been the one constant for Florida this year, and it’s important to acknowledge when they make a difference.
Everyone laughed when Billy Napier dubbed them the game-changers unit, but that’s exactly the role Smack and Co. played for Florida in this win. Give them their flowers.
Up next for the Gators
The Gators play their final home game of the season against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
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The result carries significant weight, but so does the Badgers’ form in the win. The team crossed the 100-point mark against a power conference opponent for the first time since 1993. It was an offensive display that would’ve seemed impossible for previous Wisconsin teams — even from those just a few years ago.
Everything about the win is a direct testament to the job done by Greg Gard leading the program forward amid changes to the sport’s landscape.
First, the Badgers attempted 27 3-pointers and 25 2-pointers, making 12 and 13, respectively. That new analytics-driven offensive approach has revolutionized the offense, a portion of the program that was in disarray as recently as two years ago. Gard’s hire of assistant Kirk Penney and willingness to evolve are at the heart of the change.
Next, Gard continues to score big by landing underrated players in the transfer portal. Last year, it was A.J. Storr and Max Klesmit. This year, John Tonje already looks like the steal of the offseason. His 41 points and program-record 21 free throws on 22 attempts powered Wisconsin’s win. Despite losing high-profile players Storr and Chucky Hepburn to the portal, Gard has given a blueprint of how traditionally-developmental programs can thrive in the current era.
Third, Wisconsin is still defined by its same identity, led by a culture of player development and buy-in. Max Klesmit and Kamari McGee embody that culture. McGee especially, who joined the Badgers after one year at UW-Green Bay without any playing time assurances. He’s taken substantial leaps each season and is now a key cog in the team’s rotation.
While it sounds cliche, that identity of development flies directly in the face of the modern age of the sport. But it has always defined Wisconsin basketball, and continues to do so.
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard is shown during the second half of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.Unranked Wisconsin upset Arizona 103-88. Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Gard has done more to improve the program than just those three focuses listed. But when discussing why Wisconsin scored 103 points in a signature win over No. 9 Arizona, those three are driving reasons — a new-age offensive approach, effective transfer portal recruiting and the same culture of development.
In other words, Gard recognized where the program had fallen behind after it missed the 2023 NCAA Tournament (offense). He rebuilt the offense that offseason, leading to a top-25 unit in 2023-24. Early signs in 2024-25 point to even further improvement. He’s done it all while maintaining Wisconsin’s age-old identity.
The football program should take notice of the basketball program’s success.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh took a big risk in shaking up the program by hiring up-and-coming coach Luke Fickell in 2022. That hire still makes sense, even with the benefit of hindsight. Fickell was among the hottest names in the profession, was succeeding at a Group of Five school and had extensive Big Ten ties. Gard’s success doesn’t make McIntosh’s hire of Fickell the wrong one.
It does, however, highlight the key differences between the programs.
Fickell’s subsequent hire of coordinator Phil Longo took Wisconsin away from its classic form and approach. The offense hasn’t taken a step forward since the hire. If anything, it’s regressed.
The same can arguably said for Mike Tressel’s defense.
The Badgers’ 42-10 loss at Iowa (329 rushing yards and 6.1 yards per carry allowed) in Week 10 was an unfortunate signal of what those changes have allowed — a further departure from the classic identity that built the program in the first place.
Wisconsin basketball made forward-thinking changes with its offensive plan. Those changes made the program an even more attractive destination for the exact type of players it needs — talented wing scorers. Tonje embodies that role. Importantly, these are players Wisconsin clearly has the ability to land; it has landed several in a row with Johnny Davis, Storr and now Tonje.
Most importantly, amid that plan to grow and evolve, the program’s identity didn’t change.
Wisconsin football attempted those same changes, designed to make the program an attractive destination for the nation’s top talent. The problem: Wisconsin doesn’t land that top talent. Longo’s offense likely will not reach its heights unless Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, Travis Hunter, Drake Maye or Arch Manning walk through the door. That just isn’t a very realistic outcome.
Then in attempting those changes, the program appears to have sacrificed its age-old identity. Fans of the current football coaching staff or not, it’s hard to argue against that reality. Barry Alvarez himself didn’t argue it when given the chance on radio last week.
So whatever follows this offseason, coaching changes or not, Wisconsin football should take notes from the basketball program. Evolving doesn’t just mean changing, it means finding ways to grow on the same foundation upon which the house is built.
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The Badgers are 4-0 after the statement victory. The team, which had tempered expectations entering the year, appears to again be one of the Big Ten’s best.
Those season expectations should rise as the team flashes top form during nonconference play. It will be tested once the Big Ten schedule begins, especially with the inclusion of the conference’s new members.
Before that point, it’s worth documenting the team’s ascension in rating metrics and national rankings. KenPom and ESPN BPI are taking note of the Badgers’ stellar start to the season:
ESPN BPI: No. 23 overall (up six spots) — 14.2 rating, 20.6 – 9.4 projected record, 15.4% chance to win Big Ten Conference
Wisconsin is sure to enter the AP Poll Top 25 when it is updated to start the week. It should hold ranking with a home game against UT-Rio Grande on Monday before a weekend trip to the Greenbrier Tip-Off, which includes Pittsburgh, Central Florida and LSU.
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Wisconsin wing John Tonje continued his torrid start to the 2024-25 season on Friday night, leading the Badgers to a signature win over No. 9 Arizona.
With program legend Bo Ryan honored at halftime and the Badgers’ 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams in the building, the transfer wing came within a basket of breaking Frank Kaminsky’s single-game program scoring record (43 points).
Instead, he had to settle for the following stat line: 41 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal on 8-of-14 shooting, 4-of-6 from three and 21-of-22 from the free throw line.
Those 21 free throws broke a program record, previously held by Nigel Hayes (17 made free throws on Jan. 26, 2016).
John Tonje just broke the record for most free throws in a game for the #Badgers. He's 18-for-19.
Tonje’s exceptional foul-line performance was part of Wisconsin shooting 87.2% (41-of-47) overall from the line, a decisive factor in the team’s signature victory. The Badgers entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the nation shooting 92.5% from the charity stripe. Tonje’s performance against the Wildcats embodies a critical combination of volume and efficiency, creating a margin that a top team in Arizona was unable to overcome.
Tonje’s performance continues to be among the biggest stories of Wisconsin’s season to date. He’s up to 94 total points over the four contests (23.5 points per game), seamlessly filling the scoring vacancy created by A.J. Storr’s offseason departure to Kansas.
The Badgers improve to 4-0 on the season with the statement victory. Most importantly, it appears that Greg Gard has found another big-time transfer addition.
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RECAP: John Tonje leads Wisconsin to signature win over No. 9 Arizona
This story was updated to change a photo.
Wisconsin basketball picked up a statement victory on Friday — a 103-88 triumph over the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats.
Transfer wing John Tonje headlined the Badgers’ performance. He finished with 41 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 21-of-22 from the free-throw line. Those 41 points came within just two points of breaking Frank Kaminsky’s single-game program scoring record (43 points), while the 21 free throw makes did break the program’s previous record of 17 (Nigel Hayes, Jan. 26, 2016).
Wisconsin’s performance was again led by great three-point and free-throw shooting. Greg Gard’s team shot 48% from the floor, 44.4% from three (12-of-27) and 87.2% from the charity stripe (41-of-47). 103-point outings would have sounded impossible for previous iterations of the Badgers. Gard’s new-look, analytics-driven approach is leading to substantial results.
John Blackwell and Max Klesmit combined for 27 points in the victory, walk-on guard Jack Janicki played a big role with nine points off the bench, transfer forward Xavier Amos finished with eight points with two three-pointers made and Kamari McGee continued to excel in his role off the bench.
Every stat leads back to Tonje, who has given Wisconsin a dominant scoring presence that it desperately needed after A.J. Storr’s offseason departure. Tonje’s play and the Badgers’ big win should start to alter expectations moving forward.
Wisconsin improves to 4-0 on the young season with the statement victory. Arizona, meanwhile, drops to 2-1. The Badgers are sure to enter the AP Poll when it is updated next week.
Wisconsin returns to the court on Monday against UT-Rio Grande before a weekend road trip to the Greenbrier Classic.
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The win was Auburn’s 56th consecutive non-conference victory at Neville Arena
The Auburn Tigers simmering start to the season continued on Wednesday night with a 23-point thumping of MAC opponent Kent State. The win was Auburn’s 56th consecutive non-conference victory at Neville Arena. The 56-game home win streak is the longest active streak in all of college basketball.
Despite the lopsided final score, this game wasn’t as much of a blowout as Bruce Pearl and his staff would have hoped coming in. The Tigers looked as if they were headed for a repeat of the 50-plus point thumping of Vermont in the home opener early, but a late first half run by the Golden Flashes saw them cut a near 30-point lead to just 14 going into the break.
Seniors VonCameron Davis (19 points) and Jalen Sullinger (16 points) continued leading a valiant charge in the second half, cutting the lead as close as two possessions before Auburn’s defense finally put it’s stamp on the game. Forwards Johni Broome and Chaney Johnson blocked the Golden Flashes charge, both figuratively and literally, with 5 combined blocks, 17 rebounds, and 36 points to help Auburn stay undefeated with another emphatic win.
Guards Denver Jones and Chad Baker-Mazara added a dozen points each to seal the deal, while freshman Tahaad Pettiford followed up his breakout 21-point breakout party with a much more tame 9 points. While the Tigers focus may have wayned a bit during the victory, Bruce Pearl’s squad ultimately got the job done and will likely continue moving up the polls ahead of their final tune up before the Maui Invitation next Monday against North Alabama.
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Wisconsin transfer guard fouls out of Kansas’ win over Michigan State
Wisconsin transfer guard A.J. Storr was mostly a nonfactor in Kansas’ 77-69 win over Michigan State on Tuesday.
The former Badger fouled out in just 12 minutes of action. He finished with six points on 2-of-5 shooting and 1-of-3 from 3-point range. He added two rebounds and a turnover.
Kansas’ statement win was led again by center Hunter Dickinson. The former Michigan Wolverine finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and three steals on 13-of-21 shooting. His strong defensive play also helped the Jayhawks hold the Spartans to just 34.8% shooting.
Storr and the Jayhawks are 3-0 on the young season and still ranked No. 1. The former Badger has season totals of 24 points, six rebounds and five assists over those three games.
Storr’s decision to transfer to Kansas was one of the more notable moments from a busy Wisconsin offseason. Storr and star guard Chucky Hepburn departed via the portal, leaving the Badgers to replace 26 points, 7.2 game and 4.8 assists-per-game of production. That doesn’t even count Tyler Wahl, who the Badgers lost to graduation.
Despite the turnover, Wisconsin boasts a 3-0 mark to begin the 2024-25 campaign. Missouri transfer guard John Tonje has played a big role in the early wins, averaging 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds on 55% shooting.
Storr’s performance on the No. 1 Jayhawks will continue to be worth monitoring, especially if Tonje continues to excel in a primary role with the Badgers.
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