Wisconsin basketball improved to 7-0 for the first time since the 2014-15 season with a win over Pittsburgh.
Pitt came out of the gate strong, jumping out to a 14-point lead midway through the first half. Wisconsin struggled to shoot early, going 0-for-10 from behind the arc in the first half. However, they flipped the script in the second half, knocking down 5-of-10 threes. John Tonje led the way for the Badgers with 33 points, 25 of which came in the second half.
Takeaway #1: John Tonje is the best transfer in the country
In a sense, John Tonje came out of nowhere this year. In a season in which injury limited Tonje to just eight games, he averaged under three points per game for Missouri. However, going back a year to his days at Colorado State, he averaged over 14 points per game. His unexpected start to the season matches Wisconsin’s surprising 7-0 start to the season… the Badgers were picked to finish tied for 12th in the Big Ten in the preseason polls.
Tonje has done it all for Wisconsin basketball. He’s shot it well from three (41%). He’s gotten to the free throw line often and has taken advantage (60-for-63). Most importantly, he has shown up when the team has needed him most, marked by his 33-point performance tonight to lead the comeback over Pitt, and 41 points to charge the Badgers upset win over #9 Arizona. Wisconsin fans may have thought the transfer portal stole two of their biggest pieces in A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn this past year, but it turns out they got a star in return.
Takeaway #2: The sky is the limit for the Wisconsin Badgers
The most impressive aspect of the start for Wisconsin basketball has been the production coming from everywhere. Kamari McGee has stepped into a big role, playing heavy minutes off the bench. While he averages just seven points per game, his defensive effort makes a big impact on the floor. John Blackwell has stepped into the starting five in his sophomore campaign, averaging over 16 points per game. When you continue to look around the floor, you see various players stepping up in different games. Nolan Winter has perhaps been the most improved Badger of the year, as the seven-foot freshman is playing with new-found physicality. Max Klesmit has continued to be a shooting threat from the perimeter.
It seems as if a different player steps up every night. It has not always been pretty. They won by just three points against UT-Rio Grande Valley. They battled from behind in each of their first three games against Holy Cross, Montana State, and Appalachian State. Most importantly, however, they have found a path to victory in their first seven games of the season.
Takeaway #3: Blowing lead teaches Panthers another important lesson
You can add another teaching moment from Pitt head coach Jeff Capel on the importance of closing out games. This punch in the mouth from Wisconsin will sting for a while after the Panthers blew a 14-point lead, but it’s a feeling that will make the team better in the long run.
“I’m really proud of our team,” said Capel. “I think we learned and grew in this tournament. Certainly, we didn’t achieve our goal, but I thought we got better in some areas.”
None of the teams Pitt has played so far (including LSU) have the will to win like the Badgers. This is a top-25 team for a reason, and they showed why as they persevered throughout the second half.
It’s a reminder that no lead is safe in college basketball, and you have to defend for 40 minutes. While the defense forced some bad looks from Wisconsin, it’s safe to say the Badgers were unlucky at times when shooting threes.
Sunday’s game against Wisconsin reminds the Panthers that good teams won’t roll over in the late stage when they’re trailing. While Pitt has played with a lead for most of the season, that may not always be the case against the level of competition this team wants to play against in March.
Next Game for Wisconsin (7-0): vs. Chicago State (0-6) Nov. 30 at 12 p.m. CST
Next Game for Pittsburgh (6-1): at Ohio State (4-1) Nov. 29 at 1:30 p.m. CST
[…] Panthers fell just short in the Greenbrier Tip-Off Championship against Wisconsin, but there is plenty of optimism ahead of Friday’s clash with the […]