In the Wisconsin Badgers’ close defeat to the Oregon Ducks, John Tonje performed as expected, but head coach Greg Gard believes there is anything he can do to improve their flow.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Oregon Ducks
When Oregon and Wisconsin play in overtime on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, Oregon center Nate Bittle (32) blocks a jumper from Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25). In overtime, Oregon defeated Wisconsin 77-73.
Tonje scored 22 points on nine of 22 shots during the OT defeat. In addition, he finished the game with two assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.
His absence of free throw attempts was, at least to Gard, the most obvious aspect of his performance. In the game, Tonje had two.
Since joining the squad and assuming the position of top player, the seasoned guard has gained a reputation for his determination and cunning.
With 131 of 141 attempts, he is already the best thrower in the NCAA, even though the season isn’t quite complete. He made 21 of 22 free throws on his way to a 41-point career game in November of last year, setting the Badgers’ record for the most free throws in a game.
The Wisconsin Badgers’ John Tonje
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, in the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) makes a three-point shot during the first half of their game versus Oregon, and the crowd screams.
But that’s not what the fans witnessed against the Oregon Ducks. Although he scored highly for them, he lacked aggression.
The Ducks’ defeat was a teaching moment, and Gard believes that the squad should work together to increase Tonje’s number of free throws.
The Wisconsin Badgers should assist as a team. Tonje, John
According to Gard, Tonje needs to make more free throws, but he is not the only one who has to bear that responsibility.
He said that his best player was put into a tighter place by the other players’ lack of aggression while making solid shots.
The crucial thing with John is that he needs to get closer to the free throw line. During practice, Gard remarked, “He only shoots two, and those were obviously in the first half as all of ours were.”
Basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers
After getting a foul in the second half of their game on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, guards John Tonje (9) and Kamari McGee (4) offer Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit (11) a hand. Nebraska lost against Wisconsin 83-55.
“We had him taking harder shots, and then we got fours and fives that are turning down shots,” I said, feeling that we occasionally settled for too much. When the rest of us aren’t acting as aggressively as we should, it puts more pressure on John to take a harder shot.
On Tuesday, Tonje and the other Badgers will play the Washington Huskies, the bottom-ranked club in the league.
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