INDIANAPOLIS — John Tonje put on a remarkable performance, scoring 32 points and securing seven rebounds, to lead No. 18 Wisconsin to a thrilling 77-74 victory over No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
With support from John Blackwell, who contributed 14 points, the Badgers (26-8) claimed their third win in four days. They now advance to face No. 22 Michigan in the tournament final on Sunday. The Wolverines reached the final with a nail-biting 81-80 win over No. 11 Maryland, sealing victory on a last-second layup.
For the Spartans (27-6), Jase Richardson led the charge with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr. added 14 points and six assists, but unfortunately, lost possession in a critical moment while attempting to level the score with a last-minute shot from midcourt.
Although Michigan State dominated the regular season, clinching the league’s championship, their winning streak of eight consecutive games came to a halt. Wisconsin turned the tables in the second half, overcoming a 45-41 deficit with an 11-0 run, and withstood a tough battle till the end. With just over a minute remaining, they extended their lead to 72-67.
Takeaways from the match include Wisconsin showcasing their versatility. After a high-scoring game with 19 three-pointers, they demonstrated their ability to also prevail in a more tactical encounter. Tonje’s performance could make Wisconsin a dark horse for the Final Four.
On the other hand, the Spartans, who had been on a remarkable run, may face a challenge in securing a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament due to this loss. Nevertheless, the extra rest day might ultimately benefit them.
The game’s pivotal moment came when, after missing a 3-pointer with 34 seconds on the clock, Blackwell attempted to recover the rebound but was hindered by Jaden Akins, leading to a foul call. Blackwell capitalized by sinking both free throws, extending Wisconsin’s lead to 74-70 with 31.4 seconds left.
The Badgers managed to make three more free throws than Michigan State, finishing 22-19 in that category.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin is set to compete against No. 22 Michigan on Sunday, eyeing their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2015 and hoping to secure the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth. Michigan State will await the announcement of their tournament seeding and opponent.
