Tag: uw basketball

Arizona’s strong form continues to bolster Wisconsin basketball’s resume

Arizona’s strong form continues to bolster Wisconsin basketball’s resume

After dropping just six points against the Wisconsin Badgers on Nov. 15, Arizona star guard Caleb Love came alive against No. 3 Iowa State on Monday.

Searching for its first signature win of the 2024-25 season, the unranked Wildcats faced a 71-68 deficit with just 2.2 seconds remaining. Love, who had scored 11 points prior to the game’s final sequence, received the inbounds pass with thousands of Wildcat fans praying for a miracle.

Luckily for them, the veteran guard delivered.

From 60 feet away, Love nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer to tie the contest at 71 apiece and send the game into overtime. In that five-minute period, the former North Carolina Tar Heel added eight more points to his total to finish with 22 on the night.

 

The win was easily the most impressive for Arizona all season and immediately bolstered its likelihood of returning to national hierarchies. Iowa State, which had dropped just two games prior to Monday’s game, falls to 17-3 with the heartbreaking loss.

Most notably for Wisconsin fans, the team’s early-season win over the Wildcats, which held the No. 9 position in the AP Poll at the time, looks much more impressive.

In that game, Wisconsin star wing John Tonje dropped a career-best 41 points  off 21-of-22 from the free throw line to set the tone for the Badgers’ 2024-25 season. Love, the hero on Monday, accounted for only six.

All four of Wisconsin’s losses prior have now arrived against teams in the top 20 of the NCAA NET Ranking.

This could prove even more beneficial if the Badgers defeat Maryland in College Park on Jan. 29 and Northwestern on Feb. 1. If Greg Gard’s group accomplishes that, fans should expect Wisconsin to continue to rise near the nation’s top 10.

Wisconsin basketball legend Frank Kaminsky reacts to Badgers’ record scoring output

Wisconsin legend Frank Kaminsky reacts to Badgers’ current offensive form

Over the past decade, the Wisconsin basketball program has been no stranger to developing legends on the hardwood.

During that span, the program has rostered greats like Nigel Hayes, Johnny Davis, Sam Dekker and Ethan Happ. Of all the luminaries, former Naismith College Player of the Year Award winner Frank Kaminsky stands alone.

It’s safe to say the NBA veteran, whose jersey currently adorns the Kohl Center’s rafters, is a fan of what he’s witnessing from Wisconsin’s current team.

This season, Greg Gard’s group averages 82.5 points and 15.3 assists per game off 47.2% shooting from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc. To put that into context, Kaminsky’s 2013-14 Final Four squad averaged 71.9 points and 12.7 assists on 48% from the field and 35.7% from outside.

Wisconsin’s 2014-15 Final Four squad produced similar numbers — 73.5 points and 12.1 assists per bout off 45.8% from the field and 37.3% from downtown.

Statistically, the 2024-25 Badgers are set to surpass both of those historic teams. Here’s Kaminsky’s reaction to that program-best output from this season’s team:

National hierarchies reflect Kaminsky’s feelings surrounding this team. KenPom ranks the Badgers’ offense No. 8 in the nation, the AP Top 25 Poll pegs UW as the No. 17-best team in the country, while the NCAA NET Ranking positions Wisconsin at No. 18.

Wisconsin’s offense, similar to its 2013-14 and 2014-15 squads, is as deep as it gets. All five of Wisconsin’s starters — Tonje, Blackwell, Klesmit, Crowl and Winter — average at least 10 points per game. UW does not boast a player as gifted as Kaminsky, but all signs point to this platoon’s offense being as efficient as almost any team in the nation, plus the best in program history.

Where Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger ranks in latest ESPN100 for class of 2025

Where Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger ranks in latest ESPN100 for class of 2025

Wisconsin basketball class of 2025 commit Zach Kinziger now sits at No. 71 in the latest ESPN100 rankings.

In early September, the top-ranked shooting guard was ranked No. 68 following a busy summer at De Pere High School and Team Herro in the AAU circuit. Now, over a month into his senior season with the Redbirds, Kinziger moved down just three spots in the sport’s most prestigious recruiting ranking.

While the ESPN100 ranking moved the in-state recruit down a few spots, Kinziger’s standing in 247Sports’ composite has improved substantially from where he stood in September. The outlet currently ranks the 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard as the No. 115 overall player in the class of 2025 (up 13 spots), No. 21 shooting guard (up three spots) and No. 3 prospect from Wisconsin (up one spot).

The De Pere, Wisconsin native is considered a four-star recruit by every major recruiting service.

As of Jan. 27, De Pere holds a 12-1 record and 9-0 mark in conference play with Kinziger as one of its leaders. The team is currently riding an eight-game win streak dating back to Dec. 21 as well.

Kinziger is one of three commits in Wisconsin’s 2025 class alongside New Zealand prospect Hayden Jones and three-star Middleton, Wisconsin, native Will Garlock. He first committed to the program back in August 2023.

Wisconsin rises in USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll after Nebraska win

Wisconsin rises in USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll after Nebraska win

Wisconsin basketball (16-4, 6-3 Big Ten) rose to No. 17 in the latest edition of the USA TODAY Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

The team jumped two spots following a 1-1 week that included a convincing 83-55 victory over Nebraska and a narrow road loss to UCLA. The team’s vote total increased from 194 to 214 in the process

Greg Gard’s group is now the third-highest-ranked Big Ten team in the coaches poll behind only Michigan State (No. 7) and Purdue (No. 10). UW surpassed Oregon (No. 18) and Illinois (No. 20). Michigan and Maryland were placed in the ‘receiving votes’ section of the poll.

Auburn remains atop the latest coaches poll top 25 after improving to 18-1. The Tigers are followed by Duke (17-2), Iowa State (17-2), Alabama (17-3) and Houston (16-3). St. John’s (17-3) made the greatest jump up to No. 14, while Ole Miss and Michigan both dropped six spots following down weeks.

Here is the full coaches poll top 25:

Rank School Record Points
1 Auburn 18-1 775 (31)
2 Duke 17-2 741
3 Iowa State 17-2 689
4 Alabama 17-3 676
5 Houston 16-3 635
6 Florida 18-2 634
7 Michigan State 17-2 583
8 Tennessee 17-3 564
9 Marquette 17-3 536
10 Purdue 16-5 476
11 Kansas 14-5 429
12 Kentucky 14-5 399
13 Mississippi State 16-4 324
14 St. John’s 17-3 318
15 Texas A&M 15-5 310
16 Memphis 16-4 242
17 Wisconsin 16-4 214
18 Oregon 16-4 201
19 Texas Tech 15-4 169
20 Illinois 14-6 166
21 Missouri 14-6 163
22 Louisville 15-5 162
23 Ole Miss 15-5 104
24 UConn 14-6 100
25 Clemson 17-4 96

Wisconsin’s complementary basketball has urged voters to alter their positioning in national rankings. The Badgers now sit at No. 14 in KenPom and No. 22 in ESPN BPI with a tough test road against Maryland coming up on Wednesday.

Recapping former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian’s return to Madison

WATCH: Former Badger guard Connor Essegian reunites with Wisconsin teammates

On Sunday afternoon, former Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian was received with open arms in his return to the Kohl Center.

In his first game in Madison since he transferred to the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ program this spring, Essegian dropped eight points and two rebounds in 23 minutes of action for Fred Hoiberg’s squad. In the effort, he shot 3-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

His point total was Nebraska’s second-most on the afternoon — a strong description of how Wisconsin’s 83-55 victory played out. Only one Cornhusker reached double-figures, with the starting lineup combining for just 34 points.

After the contest, Essegian greeted several of his former Badger teammates in the postgame handshake line.

First, the Fort Wayne, Indiana native shared a few words and embraced his former head coach Greg Gard. He then greeted each of UW’s assistant coaches before approaching the roster of active Badgers.

Essegian appeared especially enthusiastic when greeting veteran guards Kamari McGee and Max Klesmit before embracing sophomore star John Blackwell towards the end of the handshake line. Essegian did not depart the program with any ill-will, and his interactions with his former teammates and mentors reaffirmed that sentiment.

Through 20 games with the Cornhuskers this season, Essegian is accountable for 11.3 points per game off 42.4% from the field and 40.8% from outside. He’s carved out a role as one of the Big Ten’s premier bench assets this season and has scored 20 or more points in three games this season.

Five stats that defined Wisconsin basketball’s blowout win over Nebraska

Five stats that defined Wisconsin basketball’s blowout win vs. Nebraska

Wisconsin basketball cruised to an 83-55 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Sunday afternoon.

Backed by another stellar scoring performance from star wing John Tonje, the Badgers controlled the score for virtually all 40 minutes. Eleven different playmakers scored for Greg Gard, and Wisconsin led by as many as 31 points late in the second half.

Tonje dropped 27 points, 15 of which arrived in the first frame, and corralled five rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Sophomore guard John Blackwell finished with 14 points and four boards, Kamari McGee scored 11 points and nailed three three-pointers off the bench and Max Klesmit chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds.

As a team, Wisconsin shot a blistering 45.9% from outside. While the team reached the charity stripe just eight times, it chalked up 18 assists on its 30 made field goals.

Here are five stats that defined UW’s 16th win of the 2024-25 season and sixth in Big Ten play.

1. 17 made three-point field goals

Sunday’s performance should remind Badger fans of what the team accomplished in its 116-85 route over Iowa on Jan. 3. Wisconsin drilled 21 three-pointers that night, a program record. Through the first five minutes of action on Sunday, it appeared as if UW would shatter that mark.

Still, 17 made looks from outside personifies what this cohort has done offensively this season. The Badgers have evolved from a meticulous defensive-oriented team to one more focused on the damage it can inflict offensively. In today’s game, that is paramount.

2. Wisconsin’s 19-2 run to start the game

This outburst set the tone for what would ensue in the following 35 minutes of play. During the spurt, both Tonje and Blackwell dropped eight tallies, and the Badgers netted five total three-point field goals in that span. Nebraska, meanwhile, mustered just one made field goal.

Yes, the Badgers needed to play well for the remainder of the contest, but the run clearly sucked the life out of Nebraska’s crew from the opening tip.

3. Wisconsin’s eight free throw attempts

For a team with the most proficient free throw percentage in the nation, eight free throw attempts would likely translate to a Wisconsin loss. Fortunately for UW, the Badgers covered any free throw holes with one of the program’s best showings from outside all season. Still, given the Badgers’ seasonal output from the free throw line, this type of performance is a rarity.

4. 27 points from John Tonje

The two-time Big Ten Player of the Week finished atop Wisconsin’s score sheet for the second straight week. After going scoreless against USC on the road, Tonje has scored a combined 51 points against the Cornhuskers and the UCLA Bruins dating back to Jan. 22. He’s now up to 18 points and 4.9 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game in his first season in Madison.

5. 8 points from Connor Essegian

Essegian, who played under Greg Gard for two seasons, made his return to the Kohl Center for the first time since he transferred to the Cornhuskers’ program this spring. In 23 minutes off the bench, he shot 3-of-10 and 2-of-7 from deep. He’s flashed his skill set several times throughout the 2024-25 season, but his loss has ultimately not proven detrimental for the Badgers.

RECAP: John Tonje dominates in Badgers blowout win over Nebraska

RECAP: John Tonje dominates in Badgers’ blowout win vs. Nebraska

Wisconsin basketball (16-4, 6-3 Big Ten) rolled to an 83-55 victory against Nebraska (12-8, 2-7 Big Ten) at the Kohl Center on Sunday afternoon.

Of all the blistering offensive starts Greg Gard’s group has orchestrated this season, the Badgers’ opening surge against the Cornhuskers was among their most impressive.

Within the first five minutes of action, UW established a 19-2 edge courtesy of 16 combined points from star wing John Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell. The two nailed four 3-pointers during the stretch to set the tone for what Wisconsin accomplished for the remainder of the contest.

Nebraska roared back with a 19-5 run, but Tonje and the Badgers’ entire offensive unit could not be contained. UW produced a 16-2 run to rebuild its lead to 17 with under a minute remaining before intermission.

The Badgers looked just as electric in the second half. Wisconsin’s playmakers nailed eight more 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes of play, as Tonje notched 12 more tallies to punctuate one of his better performances of the season.

Wisconsin connected on 17 of 37 3-point attempts on Sunday, tallied five more assists than the Cornhuskers and snagged eight more rebounds.

Tonje finished with a game-best 27 points and snagged five rebounds. Blackwell scored 14 points and Kamari McGee accounted for 11 points off the bench. The Badgers’ high-powered offense was on full display throughout: 11 Badgers made the score sheet.

In his return to the Kohl Center, Nebraska guard Connor Essegian scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds.

Wisconsin will square off against a feisty Maryland team on Jan. 29 in College Park.

Wisconsin basketball rises the ESPN BPI following road loss vs. UCLA

Wisconsin basketball rises the ESPN BPI following road loss vs. UCLA

Despite dropping a nail-biter to UCLA on Tuesday, the Wisconsin Badgers rose four spots in ESPN’s updated Basketball Power Index.

While the Badgers remained at No. 21 in the most recent KenPom hierarchy, ESPN’s metric moved Greg Gard’s group from No. 28 to No. 24. The outlet now projects UW’s win-loss record at 22.1-8.9, the sixth-best forecast in the Big Ten.

As of Jan. 22, Illinois (No. 9), Purdue (No. 12), Michigan State (No. 16), Michigan (No. 20) and Maryland (No. 22) are the only Big Ten teams to land ahead of the Badgers. Outside of Florida, Texas Tech and St. John’s, UW made the largest leap of any team inside the ESPN BPI’s top 30.

Wisconsin also has an 8.7% chance of winning the Big Ten title this season, a minor increase from its standing on Jan. 19 after defeating USC.

UCLA, meanwhile, moved up three spots to No. 34 following Tuesday’s rsult.

The Badgers’ revamped offensive pace and efficiency has certainly boosted their positions in rating metrics such as the BPI and KenPom. The team’s recent seven-game win streak, which included five wins against Big Ten teams, aided that sentiment.

UW is back on the hardwood on Jan. 26 vs. Nebraska at the Kohl Center. It then travels for a road game against Maryland Terrapins on Jan. 29.

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praises Wisconsin program after Bruins’ narrow win

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praises Badgers’ program after Tuesday’s win

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praised the Wisconsin basketball program following the Bruins’ 85-83 win over the Badgers on Tuesday.

Fueled by a career-best 22 points from 7-foot-3 bench center Aday Mara and 19 more points from bench guard Sebastian Mack, UCLA put a pin in the Badgers’ recent seven-game win streak. It was UCLA’s second consecutive victory, those pair of results following a recent four-game losing streak.

After the match, the longtime Cincinnati head coach offered some kind words for Wisconsin’s team and program.

“Wisconsin’s got a really good team,” Cronin told media after the win. “They roll out graduate senior [Steven] Crowl and sixth-year player [John] Tonje. I think John Blackwell was as good as any guard we’ve played against, and I knew watching it on film.”

Cronin also offered some insight into the Badgers’ structure and coaching strength. With the sport’s evolving NIL and the transfer portal landscape, Wisconsin has adjusted well to the ongoing shifts.

“I watched [Greg Gard] back with Coach [Bo] Ryan, and the way they do things, they’ve recruited guys like Blackwell that nobody knew who the hell they were for years, whether it was him or Nigel Hayes,” Cronin said. “It’ll be interesting in the portal era if they can develop players. They’re a team that has a lot of returning players and obviously Tonje was a great addition for them. They shot it well and are extremely well coached.”

Cronin also mentioned how well the Badgers stack up against some of the best in a loaded 18-team conference. In UCLA’s first season in the Big Ten, Cronin believes the Badgers are as talented as any team.

“They’re as good as anybody we’ve played or better,” Cronin said. “Size, talent coaching, veterans, point guard, big guys. They got a bench. They bring in guys like Gilmore off the bench, [Kamari] McGee. They bring in guys that are winners. I’m a big fan of their program and have been for a long time back to Coach Ryan.”

The Badgers now sit at 15-4 through 19 contests during the 2024-25 season. Their next game is slated for Jan. 26 at home against Nebraska.

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard speaks on controversial foul call in loss to UCLA

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard speaks on controversial foul call in loss to UCLA

This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has shared his thoughts on a controversial foul call from the final first-half minutes of the Badgers’ loss to UCLA on Tuesday. That play proved significant as Wisconsin fell 85-83 in a back-and-forth affair.

With roughly 10 seconds remaining in the opening stanza, Wisconsin guard Jack Janicki fouled UCLA bench guard Sebastian Mack in what Gard hoped would be among the last of the Badgers’ fouls to give.

Instead, referees called an intentional foul, sending Mack to the line for two free throws and an extra possession.  On the ensuing sequence, forward Tyler Bilodeau canned a two-point jumper from inside the right wing to cut Wisconsin’s edge to just five points entering the intermission.

“I’ll see what the league has to say about that, about the call,” Gard told media after the loss. “I mean, they knew what we were doing. We had fouls to give.”

https://twitter.com/MikeJMcCleary/status/188194155815045569

UCLA ultimately won the contest courtesy of stellar bench performances from Mack and Aday Mara, but the play certainly vanquished any type of momentum Wisconsin established late in the first half. Prior to the play, UW held a 41-32 lead. The Bruins outscored Wisconsin 23-10 over a 13:00-minute stretch immediately following four-point swing.

Wisconsin will look for a bounce-back performance when it returns to the court on Jan. 26 vs. Nebraska at the Kohl Center.