WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers showcased an impressive performance with a strong start, defeating UCF 86-70 during the Greenbrier Tip-Off event on Friday night. John Blackwell led the team with 17 points, while John Tonje contributed 15 points. Kamari McGee added 14 points, and Nolan Winter rounded out the effort with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. With this victory, the Badgers improved their record to 6-0, marking their best start in six seasons.
UCF’s offense was led by Jordan Ivy-Curry, who scored 13 points. Both Keyshawn Hall and Dior Johnson contributed 11 points each for the Knights, bringing their record to 4-1. This matchup was significant for both teams as it was their first game held away from their home campuses, played inside the ballroom of the prestigious Greenbrier resort, a venue that has hosted notable figures including presidents and royalty.
In review of the game, Wisconsin, despite being significantly outscored 26-12 at the free-throw line, displayed dominance from the outset. This was a welcome shift following a narrow win against UT Rio Grande Valley just four days prior.
Conversely, UCF struggled offensively, only managing to shoot 29% (10 of 34) in the first half, including a disappointing 0 for 9 from beyond the three-point arc. This struggle left them in a considerable deficit that they were unable to recover from, ending with a final shooting percentage of 34% (21 of 62) for the match.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Wisconsin’s 7-foot center, Steven Crowl, picked up his fourth foul shortly after the second half began. This allowed UCF to narrow the lead from 22 to 13 points momentarily. Wisconsin quickly responded, as Winter scored on back-to-back possessions with a hook shot and a three-pointer, while Tonje added a layup during a fast break, restoring the lead to 53-33 and distancing themselves from UCF, who never managed to close the gap again to within 15 points.
A key stat that highlighted Wisconsin’s offensive prowess was their ability to score 11 layups in the first 13 minutes of the game, helping them establish an early 42-20 lead. Interestingly, Tonje, who would later play a crucial role, did not score until the 12-minute mark had passed.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin is set to face Pittsburgh in the championship game scheduled for Sunday, while UCF will take on LSU in the consolation matchup later that day.