NFL
By: Melo Williams
No. 11 Wisconsin improved to 22-6 on the season and 12-5 in the Big Ten following an 88-62 win over Washington on Tuesday.
The win was the Badgers first ever against Washington, improving to 1-3 in the all-time series.
The Badgers 22-6 record matches the 2nd-best start under Greg Gard.
With 22 wins this season, already equals the 15th-highest win total in Wisconsin history, the 4th-highest under Gard.
Of the 20 highest single-season win totals in Wisconsin history, 7 have come under Gard.
Since named head coach of the Badgers men’s basketball team, Greg Gard holds a 208-113 (.64%) record overall, and 116-75 (.60%) Big Ten record.
Gard’s 60.7% Big Ten win percentage matches Purdue’s Gene Keady for the 11-th best all-time (min. 100 wins).
The Badgers didn’t want to make the same mistakes it did in their loss to Oregon.
Wisconsin stopped being aggressive and committed 17 turnovers. So from the tip-off, Wisconsin was aggressiveness in every facet of the game and took care of the basketball, leading to the 26-point win.
Wisconsin forced Washington into 10 turnovers, while only committing 5, its 3rd fewest of the season.
The Badgers defended extremely well with on-ball defense, rotations, chase offs the 3-point line, help defense, and boxing out.
Wisconsin held a 41-26 advantage on the glass, allowing only 6 second chance points, matching their fewest allowed in a Big Ten game this season.
Offensively, the Badgers shot 33-64 from the field (51.6% FG), and 10-30 (33% 3FG) from deep. Wisconsin has now hit double-digit threes 17 times this season and is (14-3) in such games, the most in the Big Ten. The Badgers also leads the Big Ten in 3FG’s per game (10.9) during Big Ten play.
When Wisconsin wasn’t hitting 3’s, they were feasting in the paint, scoring 42 points. The bench also provided 33 points to Washington’s 19.
Overall, the Badgers played Badgers winning basketball ball. Washington men’s basketball head coach Danny Sprinkle said “Wisconsin has a championship culture and championship habits.”
John Blackwell tallied his first-career double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, going 4-7 from 3-point range.
Blackwell has scored 20+ points the 6th time this season, scoring in double figures 22 times this season and 26 times in his career.
John Tonje finished with 13 points on 4-10 shooting from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line. Tonje has now made 166 free throws this season, moving into 4th place on Wisconsin’s single-season free-throws list.
Steven Crowl posted 12 points on 5-8 shooting and dished out 4 assists, earning his 100th career win at Wisconsin becoming just the 8th Badger to reach the century mark.
Crowl has now scored in double figures 12 times this season and 66 times in his career. The Badgers post a 50-16 record when he scores 10+.
Xavier Amos scored 12 points, his most as a Badger and just his second time in double figures. Amos shot 4-5 from the field and 3-4 from deep.
Jack Janicki scored 8 points on 3-4 shooting along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
Kamari McGee chipped in 8 points on 4-8 shooting from the field, also 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
Max Klesmit didn’t finish the game due to lower leg soreness.
Wisconsin men’s basketball head coach Greg Gard was pleased with his teams performance Tuesday night against Washington.
“From start to finish across the board everybody that got in were aggressive. We were in attack mode from start to finish. I don’t think we ever really relented or backed off even when we had a large lead, it was a mindset and all the timeouts to continue to attack and play aggressive.”
Up next for Wisconsin is a road game matchup against #8 Michigan State, March 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM CST.
