John Tonje And Wisconsin Basketball Upsets Arizona: 3 Takeaways

Wisconsin basketball went wire-to-wire to knock off the #9 Arizona Wildcats in a historic 103-88 victory.

Wisconsin jumped out to a 16-point lead over the Wildcats in the first half. However, Arizona responded with a strong showing out of the gates in the second half, tying the game up for the first time at 65.

Arizona never led at any point during the contest. However, a quick 9-2 run from 11:28 to 9:58 in the second half gave Wisconsin a 9-point lead, and the Badgers would not relent after that.

It marked head coach Greg Gard’s tenth win over a top-10 opponent in his tenure with Wisconsin.

Takeaway #1: John Tonje’s 41-point performance put Wisconsin on the map this season

Wisconsin basketball had a game plan against Arizona, and that game plan was to get the ball in the hands of John Tonje. Tonje went to work, going 8-for-14 from the field, and 4-for-6 from three. You might be wondering how Tonje scored 41 points on just eight made field goals. Well, that would be due to the utterly absurd 21 free throws he attempted during the game, as he converted on 20 of those attempts. Tonje’s 41 points were the most by a Badger since Frank Kaminsky scored 43 points in a game against North Dakota in 2013.

This win will likely propel Wisconsin into the AP Top 25 Poll, despite having received just 6 votes in the poll last week. For reference, that marked them as the 43rd-best team in the nation. For all you way too-early bracketology followers, this win moves Wisconsin inside the bubble.

Takeaway #2: Wisconsin won this game at the free throw line, tying a program-record 41 made free throws in a single game

Ok, I know we have talked about free throws in just about every game this season for Wisconsin basketball. But when you go 41-for-47 from the line, it’s kind of unavoidable.

Arizona committed a whopping 32 fouls, as both Tobe Awaka and Caleb Love fouled out. This performance elevated Wisconsin’s offense, putting up 103 points, the most against a ranked opponent in program history. Wisconsin is now 90-for-100 (90%) as a team from the line this season which is the best mark in the NCAA.

Takeaway #3: The Wildcats reliance on three-point shooting hindered their performance

Arizona’s shooting performance against the Badgers was less than ideal, only making 4 threes in 23 attempts. This was highlighted by the starting guard trio who made 2 threes with 13 attempts. Players such as Jaden Bradley and Trey Townsend had better shots within the arc, showing how Arizona can’t continue to rely on the three-pointer consistently. Arizona’s 4-of-13 threes in the first half showed their slower progression, which then came to a standstill as Zona missed 10 straight threes in the second.

The reliance on more mid-range and paint-focused basketball can be what lifts the Wildcats back up. In their last matchup against Old Dominion, Arizona’s game focused on this paint threat. The paint threat showed massive upside with big scoring totals from their big men, such as Tobe Awaka. However, Arizona has to be able to shift its game plan when the three-point ball doesn’t land. Arizona was also able to keep some control of the paint, scoring 42 total points from the paint over Wisconsin’s 26. 

The Wildcats’ excellent performance on the glass juxtaposed the slower offensive play against Wisconsin, with Arizona grabbing nearly double the Badgers’ 28 rebounds with 52. Tonight was a hard night for Arizona, one which they will be looking to shake off before their duel with Duke on Nov. 22 in McKale Center.

Next game for Wisconsin (4-0): vs. UT-Rio Grande Valley (2-2) – Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. CST

Next game for Arizona (2-1): vs. #6 Duke (2-1) – Nov. 22 at 8:30 p.m. MST