1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin’s seven-game winning streak was snapped in a close bout with UCLA, dropping the road game, 85-83. Wisconsin led at halftime, but was unable to contain the Bruins in the post during the second half. John Tonje and John Blackwell each hit two big 3-pointers with a minute remaining to cut the deficit to one, but UCLA ultimately converted its free throws to win the game.

Tonje and Blackwell each finished with 24 and 23 points respectively - the first Badger duo to score 20+ points each since March of 2024. Blackwell now has 20+ points in two-straight games, and four of his last six. Steven Crowl put up 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the effort.

Wisconsin is now 15-4 on the season and 5-3 in conference play. The Badger’s three losses have all been close, with an average scoring margin of just 3.7 points. Despite the loss, UW once again put up a high point total, continuing a historic offensive season for the team. The team’s 12 games with 80+ points are the most in a single-season since 1970-71.

2. NO WAY, TON-JAY

John Tonje not only put up 24 points in Wisconsin’s most recent outing, but he did so with remarkable shooting splits. The guard went 8-for-9 from the field and 6-for-7 from 3-point range, including making five 3-pointers in the first half alone. 

The last Big Ten player to make as many field goals and 3-pointers as Tonje, while maintaining the same efficiency, was Iowa’s Luka Garza in December of 2020 - who went on to win Naismith Player of the Year. Additionally, Tonje is the only Big Ten player this season to make six 3-pointers in a game on just seven attempts.

Tonje leads Wisconsin in scoring with 17.5 points per game - a mark that ranks eighth in the conference. He leads the Big Ten in free throws made and free throw percentage, and ranks within the top six of those categories nationally.

3. CORNHUSKERS CASE STUDY

The Badgers take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the team’s return home. Nebraska is 12-7 on the season, with a 2-6 record in conference play. The team has struggled as of late, losing its last five conference matchups. The last three games that Nebraska has played have all been lost by five points or less, falling to Rutgers, Maryland, and most recently USC.

The Cornhuskers are coached by Fred Hoiberg in his sixth season with the team. Despite a 75-101 record with Nebraska, Hoiberg has increased the team’s winning percentage season-by-season, culminating in a NCAA Tournament appearance last season - the program’s first in ten years.

This season, the team is led by senior Brice Williams. Williams has put up six 25+ point performances and averages 18.5 points per game. Senior Juwan Gary adds 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game for the team.

4. SERIES HISTORY

Even though Nebraska didn’t join the Big Ten Conference until 2011, the Badgers and the Cornhuskers will face each other for the 40th time on Sunday, with the all-time series dating back to 1904. The Badgers lead the series 22-17, with a 16-7 mark in conference play. The Badgers are 11-4 when playing at home as well.

The two teams faced each other twice last season, splitting the matchups. Wisconsin won the first game, 88-72, at home, while Nebraska took the most recent matchup, a 80-72 overtime game in Lincoln.

Max Klesmit owns two 10+ point scoring games against Nebraska, scoring 13 in the latest matchup. In Wisconsin’s home victory over the Cornhuskers last season, John Blackwell came off the bench and put up 12 points in just 19 minutes, and Steven Crowl added nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

5. COACHES VS CANCER

Starting this Sunday, Wisconsin’s next three games will be in honor of Coches vs. Cancer. As a part of the foundation’s “Suits and Sneakers” event, Greg Gard and his staff will wear special sneakers painted by children battling cancer at the American Family Children’s Hospital.

Earlier in the month, the Badger players and staff visited the American Family Children’s Hospital and teamed up with children to design special shoes that will be showcased on the court. Wisconsin is excited to host and recognize some of those same children at Sunday's game.

The fight against cancer is personal for Gard and his family. In 2016, Gard and his wife, Michelle, partnered with the UW Carbone Cancer Center, to launch Garding Against Cancer. This fundraising initiative has raised over $9 million in 8 years to support cancer research and patient care across the entire state of Wisconsin.