MADISON, Wis. — John Tonje, still acclimating to his new environment, is making quite an impact on Wisconsin basketball. After the Badgers claimed a thrilling 103-88 victory over the No. 9 Arizona team, Tonje recounted a pregame event that honored the 2014 and 2015 Sweet 16 teams. He learned a quick lesson from his teammates about the significance of those seasons, realizing the Badgers actually made it to the Final Four during that time.

It’s understandable that Tonje isn’t fully versed in the rich history of Wisconsin basketball, given his recent arrival and immediate focus on contributing to the team. In his latest game, he delivered an impressive performance, scoring 41 points—just two shy of the school’s record—and averaging a remarkable 23.5 points per game, showcasing a shooting percentage of 55.8% (24 of 43).

Much of the conversation surrounding the Badgers before this season centered on the players who departed for other programs, including top scorer AJ Storr, now at Kansas, and point guard Chucky Hepburn, who has moved to Louisville. However, the acquisition of Tonje from the transfer portal seems to be a significant gain that potentially compensates for those losses.

Wisconsin coach Greg Gard praised Tonje, noting his attentiveness and ability to ask insightful questions, which point to his maturity and willingness to grow as a player. Tonje’s proficiency from the free-throw line has become critical, having successfully sunk 37 of his 39 attempts this season during a game against Arizona that featured an astonishing 63 fouls and a total of 87 free-throw attempts between both teams.

This staggering number of free throws equaled the highest combined total in a game since the beginning of the 2023-24 season. Tonje showcased his scoring prowess by making only 14 field-goal attempts, achieving 41 points through an 8-for-14 shooting performance, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, alongside a staggering 21-for-22 from the free-throw line—a new school record.

Interestingly, Tonje became the first Division I player to score 40 or more points on fewer than 15 field-goal attempts since Jemarl Baker Jr. of Fresno State achieved 43 points with just 14 attempts earlier this year. Just shy of breaking the school scoring record held by Frank Kaminsky, who attended the game as part of the 2014-15 celebration, Tonje’s performance was a pivotal highlight of the evening.

Arizona’s coach, Tommy Lloyd, acknowledged Tonje’s strength and capability, noting his ability to drive toward the basket combined with an impressive outside shooting game, reflecting both experience and determination. Tonje’s determination stems from a long hiatus, having only played eight games for Missouri last season before an injury sidelined him. This experience, albeit frustrating, offered him time to reflect on his career and identify areas for growth.

“I never had the chance to sit down and reflect on my game,” Tonje said. “It was beneficial to step back, analyze, and understand what I wanted to improve.” Gard highlighted that Tonje’s impressive history at Colorado State was evident even through brief film clips, making him a promising addition.

Tonje’s exceptional outing contributed to Wisconsin’s most impressive win over a ranked opponent in over a decade, marking their highest point total against a top-10 team since 2010 and the first time they topped the century mark against a ranked team since 1970. The exciting victory sparked a thrilling celebration as fans stormed the court, encapsulating the kind of vibrant atmosphere Tonje envisioned when he chose to join the Badgers.

“I wanted to be part of a night like this,” he expressed, affirming his enthusiasm and commitment to his new team.