Max Klesmit takes a three against Marquette

Nolan Kromke

Men's Basketball December 09, 2024 Jake Ross

Starting Five: UW travels to Illinois

Wisconsin to play first conference road game

MADISON, Wis. — After falling on the road against No. 5 Marquette this past Saturday, the No. 20 Wisconsin men's basketball team looks to rebound on the road against Illinois on Tuesday night. The Badgers look to snap an eight-game losing streak against Illinois, seeking their first win over the Fighting Illini since 2019.

The game will tip off Tuesday at 8 p.m. (CT) on Peacock.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

Badgers help up Kamari McGee against Marquette

Wisconsin hit 10 triples in its loss at Marquette

1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin fell to No. 5 Marquette on the road on Saturday, 88-74. The two teams traded leads during the first half, with the Badgers holding a 39-37 advantage at halftime. UW was unable to hold off the Marquette offense in the second half, however, with the Golden Eagles building up a double-digit lead that they retained for the rest of the game.

Senior Max Klesmit scored 22 points in the loss, continuing his string of good performances against Marquette. For his career, Klesmit averages 18.7 points per game on 50 percent shooting from 3-point range when playing the Golden Eagles.

Wisconsin played well on offense, hitting 10 triples for the sixth time this season, but turned the ball over a season-high 16 times, which allowed Marquette to capitalize with 18 points off turnovers. The loss ended a three-game win streak that Wisconsin held against Marquette.

Max Klesmit (11) scored 22 points against Marquette

2. MIGHTY MAX

Max Klesmit led Wisconsin offensively during Saturday’s game. The senior scored 22 points shooting 6-for-11 from 3-point range. Klesmit also added two assists with no turnovers in the game. It marked the second time in his career that Klesmit connected on six 3s in a game. He previously accomplished this against Montana State earlier this season. Klesmit is one of two Big Ten players this season to have two games with six or more 3s made.

The guard from Neenah is enjoying a career season with Wisconsin so far this season, averaging UW career best totals in points (12.2), assists (2.8), and steals (1.6) steals.

Klesmit is shooting an impressive 90.3 percent at the free throw line, the sixth-highest total in the Big Ten. He’s also made 22 triples this season, which ranks fifth in the conference.

John Blackwell makes a lay up against Marquette

John Blackwell (25) scored 17 points against Marquette

3. SUPPORTING STARS

In addition to Klesmit, John Blackwell, John Tonje, and Carter Gilmore each had valiant efforts against Marquette. Blackwell scored 17 points, his eighth game this season scoring 10 or more points. Blackwell’s 15.2 points per game ranks seventh highest among Big Ten underclassmen.

John Tonje scored in double figures for the 10th time in as many games this season, finishing with 14 points. He went 7-for-8 at the free throw line, increasing his Big Ten lead in free throws made, attempted, and improving his league-leading 93.1 percent free throw shooting. Tonje’s 21.5 points per game average ranks second highest in the conference.

Senior Carter Gilmore filled up the stat sheet against Marquette. Along with his season-high five points and six rebounds, the forward dished out a career-high five assists. Gilmore hit a 3-pointer in the game as well, marking the first time in his career that he’s made a 3 in back-to-back games.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 17, 2024 - the championship game between Wisconsin and Illinois at the 2024 TIAA Big Men's Basketball Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 David Sherman Photography (Photo by David Sherman)

Carter Gilmore (14) goes up for the shot against Illinois in the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game

4. FEATURING THE FIGHTING ILLINI

Illinois received votes in the latest AP Top 25 rankings, but was previously ranked No. 19 just last week. The Fighting Illini are 6-2 on the season, most recently dropping a game at Northwestern.

Illinois is coached by Brad Underwood in his eighth season with the team. Underwood has taken Illinois to the NCAA tournament the last four seasons.

The team is led by three underclassmen this season. Sophomore Tomislav Ivisic averages a near double-double for the season at 16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Will Riley is one of four freshmen in the conference averaging 15.0 points per game, coming off the bench in all eight games. Kasparas Jakucionis is averaging 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in a well-rounded season.

Ethan Happ (22) in Wisconsin's last win against Illinois on Feb. 18, 2019

5. SERIES HISTORY

Illinois is Wisconsin’s second-most played opponent in program history, with the two teams competing against each other over 200 times since 1906. Illinois leads the all-time series, 117-90, as well as in games played at Champaign, 70-28. UW’s last road win in Champaign came on January 23, 2019.

The last time these two teams faced off was in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, which Illinois came out on top in, 93-87. Klesmit scored 16 points in the game, while Steven Crowl put up 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Max Klesmit routinely performs well against Illinois in his career. In four career games against the Illini, Klesmit has averaged 13.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting 52.8 percent from the field.

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