Wisconsin Basketball Greg Gard Michigan State postgame comments

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Without a pair of key playmakers, Wisconsin basketball’s thrilling 77-74 victory over Michigan State on Saturday would not have been possible.

First, star wing John Tonje scored a program Big Ten Tournament single-game record 32 points off 8-of-15 from the field, 4-of-10 from deep and 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. Tonje has served as Greg Gard’s top offensive option in each of Wisconsin’s tournament victories. Prior to his 32-point explosion, the Nebraska native dropped 18 points in UW’s 70-63 second-round win over Northwestern and a game-best 26 points off 9-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 from deep in its 86-70 quarterfinal victory over UCLA.

After the win over the Spartans, Tonje is just 53 points away from breaking Frank Kaminsky’s single-season scoring record, set during Wisconsin’s run to the 2015 national title game. He’s been named Big Ten Player of the Week three times, was included on the All-Big Ten First-Team and is a Naismith College Player of the Year semifinalist. Even with all the accolades, head coach Greg Gard thinks one aspect of Tonje’s persona trumps all.

“He’s such a selfless person, such a selfless player,” Gard said after the game. “He’s motivated by success. He’s gotten better on both ends of the floor…He’s earned every accolade he’s getting. He’s one heck of a player, but more importantly, he’s an even better person. That’s why it fits so well with our team and why the transition, even if it’s been one year, has been so good…He’s bought in. He understands. He’s a good listener and a quick learner. He wants to win.”

Sophomore John Blackwell, Tonje’s primary running mate, also filled up the stat sheet against Michigan State, tallying 14 points and three rebounds. But without bench forward Carter Gilmore, who accounted for 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 30 minutes off the bench, Wisconsin would have likely departed Indianapolis with a semifinal loss.

Not only did Gilmore deliver consistently on both ends of the court,…

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Publish date : 2025-03-16 11:28:00

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