Tag: UT Rio Grande Valley

Wisconsin bench guard clinches Badgers win over UT Rio Grande Valley

Wisconsin bench guard clinches Badgers win over UT Rio Grande Valley

Wisconsin basketball guard Kamari McGee has been one of the Badgers’ most valuable players through five games of the 2024-25 season.

On Monday night, the senior guard clinched Wisconsin’s tight 87-84 win over UT Rio Grande Valley on the final play of the evening.

Tasked with defending the Vaqueros’ 6-foot-8 forward Hasan Abdul Hakim at the top of the key, the 6-foot-tall McGee stayed right with Hakim without fouling and forced the versatile playmaker into a tough fadeaway jumper in the lane.

His shot attempt hit the backside of the rim, and sophomore guard John Blackwell scooped in for a strong rebound to secure the victory.

Here’s the full play:

Simply put — the play encapsulates McGee’s impact this season.

Through five games in 2024-25 McGee boasts the the highest +/- of any Badger at +85, per Badger247’s Evan Flood. Only Blackwell, who holds a +84, is within reaching distance of the veteran.

McGee has unquestionably been Gard’s most reliable bench player this season. Sure, he might not bring the height of Carter Gilmore and Xavier Amos, but he is as composed a bench guard as you can find in the nation.

The Racine, Wisconsin, native is responsible for 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2 assists in 23 minutes per game off the bench this season.

He and the Badgers will be back in action on Nov. 22 against UCF in the Greenbrier Tip-Off.

RECAP: John Blackwell erupts for 30 points, Badgers squeeze by UT Rio Grande Valley

RECAP: John Blackwell erupts for 30 points, Badgers squeeze by UT Rio Grande Valley

Wisconsin basketball squeezed by UT Rio Grande Valley 87-84 to pick up its fifth victory of the 2024-25 season on Monday.

Sophomore guard John Blackwell was the story of the night. The Michigan native exploded for a career-best 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. 20 of those points arrived in the second half of UW’s tight win, including 14 during the team’s game-altering 14-5 scoring surge midway through the final frame.

For the fifth consecutive game, Wisconsin was able to outlast its opponent from the free-throw line and three-point land. The Badgers cashed in on 27 of 32 attempts from the charity stripe and eight of 20 looks from outside. In a game that came down to the wire, UW’s aggressiveness, ability to draw fouls and capacity to capitalize on those opportunities proved to be the difference.

Tonje, UW’s superstar scorer at this juncture, dropped 19 points off a 3-of-5 clip from deep and a perfect 10-for-10 mark from the free throw line. Max Klesmit accounted for 11 points, and transfer forward Xavier Amos registered nine points of the bench in 13 minutes of action.

After trailing by as many as seven early in the second half, Greg Gard leaned on his perimeter players to secure the win. Centers Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter saw 33 combined minutes in the effort.

In fact, 36 of Wisconsin’s 39 second half points came from Tonje, Blackwell, and Klesmit. In games that call for more offensive dexterity, UW has discovered a trio that can work together to create from both the outside and at the free throw line.

Wisconsin improves to 5-0 on the young season with the home triumph. UT Rio Grande Valley, meanwhile, drops to 3-3. Wisconsin will play its next game on Nov. 22 against UCF in the Greenbier Tip-Off.