Wisconsin Holds Off Minnesota as John Blackwell Shines Again
The Wisconsin Badgers gritted out a 74-67 road victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Wednesday, overcoming adversity to secure a key conference win.
Despite missing starting guard Max Klesmit, Wisconsin leaned on its star power—and once again, it was John Blackwell who delivered. Just two games after dropping 24 points in a blowout win over Washington, Blackwell erupted for 25 points to lead the Badgers past Minnesota.
Behind him, John Tonje added a solid 18 points, going 5-for-10 from the field while making the most of his trips to the free-throw line.
Tonje’s Recent Dip in Production—Cause for Concern?
For Tonje, it was an important bounce-back performance after two subpar outings by his high standards. He battled foul trouble in the second half, limiting his overall impact, but he still managed to ice the game late with four clutch free throws.
Since the start of 2025, Tonje has been one of the hottest players in college basketball, averaging 24.8 points per game over a dominant nine-game stretch through the Oregon matchup. However, he and the Badgers offense hit a wall against Michigan State, where he shot 3-for-13 from the field and 1-for-8 from three in what was Wisconsin’s biggest game of the season.
His struggles continued against Washington, where he shot 4-for-10 overall and 1-for-6 from deep, finishing with just 13 points.
Despite the slight downturn, Tonje’s overall numbers remain elite:
- 19.1 points per game
- 47.1% field goal percentage
- 38.2% from three
Still a Star, Even with Extra Defensive Attention
While the last three games haven’t been as dominant, Tonje remains one of the most impactful players in the country—especially in big games.
Against Quad 1 opponents, he is averaging 21.5 points per game—ranking fourth in the nation and placing him in the 99th percentile among scorers. Even more impressive, he has maintained a 98th-percentile true shooting percentage in those matchups, showing his elite efficiency and ability to get to the free-throw line.
With Klesmit sidelined, opposing teams have zeroed in on Tonje defensively, forcing him to adjust his approach. However, Wisconsin’s depth and balance allow other players to step up—as Blackwell did on Wednesday.
Tonje’s March Madness X-Factor: Free Throws
Come March, free-throw shooting often decides close tournament games, and Tonje has been one of the nation’s best at the stripe. His reliability at the line only increases his value as Wisconsin gears up for a deep run.
While Big Ten Player of the Year might be out of reach—Purdue’s Braden Smith has built a compelling case—Tonje is a lock for First-Team All-Big Ten honors and remains in the conversation for All-American recognition.
With the Badgers firing on all cylinders, Tonje’s ability to bounce back from adversity and make an impact in multiple ways will be crucial down the stretch.
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