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The Wisconsin Badgers saw their 2024-25 season come to an unfortunate end with a 91-89 loss to BYU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
BYU, far better than its No. 6 seed indicates, controlled the game through its first 38 minutes. The Cougars built a decisive advantage through relentless offense (Wisconsin's season-high in points allowed), efficiency from the free-throw line (15-of-16, 93.8%) and dominance on the offensive glass (13 offensive rebounds).
That last category jumped off the stat sheet as BYU built an 11-point halftime lead -- the Cougars grabbed 26 total rebounds to the Badgers' 14 in the first frame, with nine offensive boards to Wisconsin's 10 on the defensive end. Where Wisconsin had a perceived advantage in physicality and interior scoring, BYU was better. The same can be said at the free-throw line, arguably Wisconsin's No. 1 strength.
BYU played like the better overall team. That was, until the last two minutes of action.
Wisconsin executed a 9-2 run from the 1:47-minute mark in the second half to 1:00. That cut BYU's lead to just two points, 91-89. The Badgers would eventually get a stop on a possession that lasted 47 seconds. However, John Tonje's heroic bid to force overtime fell just short. As the clock finally hit 0:00, the Badgers' season came to an all-too-familiar disappointing end.
Tonje was sensational in the loss. His performance is one of our major postgame takeaways:
John Tonje finished with 37 points, four rebounds and four assists on 10-of-18 shooting and 14-of-16 from the foul line. He was sensational. The only real second guess is his decision to hold the ball until the final buzzer, as opposed to attempting a three-pointer with time left on the clock, which would have allowed Wisconsin a chance to foul if the shot missed.
John Blackwell also pitched in 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was key in the team's resurgent second-half run. Both he and Tonje did their part on the offensive end.
The same can't be said for some of Wisconsin's other regular contributors, which is our next takeaway.
Wisconsin's depth was a clear strength throughout the season, led by veterans Kamari McGee and Carter Gilmore, plus newcomers Jack Janicki and Xavier Amos. On Saturday, those four combined for three points on 1-of-9 shooting. The three points came from Gilmore with 1:47 left in regulation.
The Badgers didn't get enough contributions from typically-dependable players. Another made shot or two from the group would have altered the result.
While Wisconsin had a chance to win late, the game was nearly lost in the first half when the Badgers allowed nine BYU offensive rebounds, leading immediately to 12 second-chance points. The Badgers also missed four of 11 free throws in the frame. Those two areas symbolize a Wisconsin team that was not at its best throughout the game, especially in key areas where it usually wins.
More notably, the Badgers had developed into a strong defensive team over the course of the season (KenPom No. 25). That progress was erased, as BYU dropped 91 points on 49.2% shooting. Yes, the Cougars shot a red-hot 46.2% clip from three. But many of their shots from distance were wide open. BYU got whatever it wanted on offense and Wisconsin did not find a consistent answer.
There are numerous 'what-ifs' from the season-ending result. By far the biggest is Wisconsin's significant mistake at the end of the first half.
Wisconsin trailed 44-36 with 20 seconds left in the first half. John Tonje dribbled the ball past half court and passed to Steven Crowl in the post, who threw up an inexplicable shot attempt with 13 seconds left on the clock. BYU grabbed the rebound, dribbled the length of the court and drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer. Wisconsin's mental mistake, whether from Tonje or Crowl, led to a five-point swing. That shift was decisive in a game of such small margins.
Much more will be written about the 2024-25 Wisconsin Badgers over the following weeks and months. But most importantly, despite the heartbreaking result and first-weekend exit, this season should be remembered as a success. The team was picked in the preseason to finish 12th in the Big Ten, that after losing its top three players after the 2023-24 season, two to the transfer portal. Wisconsin got a program-best season from unheralded transfer John Tonje, made a run at the Big Ten regular-season title and revolutionized its offensive approach.
Hopefully, years of upcoming success can allow this season to be viewed as a key turning point, as opposed to just another postseason disappointment.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball BYU tournament game takeaways
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BYU, far better than its No. 6 seed indicates, controlled the game through its first 38 minutes. The Cougars built a decisive advantage through relentless offense (Wisconsin's season-high in points allowed), efficiency from the free-throw line (15-of-16, 93.8%) and dominance on the offensive glass (13 offensive rebounds).
That last category jumped off the stat sheet as BYU built an 11-point halftime lead -- the Cougars grabbed 26 total rebounds to the Badgers' 14 in the first frame, with nine offensive boards to Wisconsin's 10 on the defensive end. Where Wisconsin had a perceived advantage in physicality and interior scoring, BYU was better. The same can be said at the free-throw line, arguably Wisconsin's No. 1 strength.
BYU played like the better overall team. That was, until the last two minutes of action.
Wisconsin executed a 9-2 run from the 1:47-minute mark in the second half to 1:00. That cut BYU's lead to just two points, 91-89. The Badgers would eventually get a stop on a possession that lasted 47 seconds. However, John Tonje's heroic bid to force overtime fell just short. As the clock finally hit 0:00, the Badgers' season came to an all-too-familiar disappointing end.
Tonje was sensational in the loss. His performance is one of our major postgame takeaways:
Wisconsin's stars showed up
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John Tonje finished with 37 points, four rebounds and four assists on 10-of-18 shooting and 14-of-16 from the foul line. He was sensational. The only real second guess is his decision to hold the ball until the final buzzer, as opposed to attempting a three-pointer with time left on the clock, which would have allowed Wisconsin a chance to foul if the shot missed.
John Blackwell also pitched in 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was key in the team's resurgent second-half run. Both he and Tonje did their part on the offensive end.
The same can't be said for some of Wisconsin's other regular contributors, which is our next takeaway.
Wisconsin got next to nothing from its bench
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Wisconsin's depth was a clear strength throughout the season, led by veterans Kamari McGee and Carter Gilmore, plus newcomers Jack Janicki and Xavier Amos. On Saturday, those four combined for three points on 1-of-9 shooting. The three points came from Gilmore with 1:47 left in regulation.
The Badgers didn't get enough contributions from typically-dependable players. Another made shot or two from the group would have altered the result.
The Badgers' strengths suddenly turned to weaknesses
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While Wisconsin had a chance to win late, the game was nearly lost in the first half when the Badgers allowed nine BYU offensive rebounds, leading immediately to 12 second-chance points. The Badgers also missed four of 11 free throws in the frame. Those two areas symbolize a Wisconsin team that was not at its best throughout the game, especially in key areas where it usually wins.
More notably, the Badgers had developed into a strong defensive team over the course of the season (KenPom No. 25). That progress was erased, as BYU dropped 91 points on 49.2% shooting. Yes, the Cougars shot a red-hot 46.2% clip from three. But many of their shots from distance were wide open. BYU got whatever it wanted on offense and Wisconsin did not find a consistent answer.
The end-of-first-half sequence was a killer
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There are numerous 'what-ifs' from the season-ending result. By far the biggest is Wisconsin's significant mistake at the end of the first half.
Wisconsin trailed 44-36 with 20 seconds left in the first half. John Tonje dribbled the ball past half court and passed to Steven Crowl in the post, who threw up an inexplicable shot attempt with 13 seconds left on the clock. BYU grabbed the rebound, dribbled the length of the court and drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer. Wisconsin's mental mistake, whether from Tonje or Crowl, led to a five-point swing. That shift was decisive in a game of such small margins.
It's a heartbreaking end to a fantastic season
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Much more will be written about the 2024-25 Wisconsin Badgers over the following weeks and months. But most importantly, despite the heartbreaking result and first-weekend exit, this season should be remembered as a success. The team was picked in the preseason to finish 12th in the Big Ten, that after losing its top three players after the 2023-24 season, two to the transfer portal. Wisconsin got a program-best season from unheralded transfer John Tonje, made a run at the Big Ten regular-season title and revolutionized its offensive approach.
Hopefully, years of upcoming success can allow this season to be viewed as a key turning point, as opposed to just another postseason disappointment.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball BYU tournament game takeaways
Continue reading...
