Steven Crowl gets the post look against Oregon

Nolan Kromke

Men's Basketball February 24, 2025 Jake Ross

Badgers take on Huskies at home

Matchup serves as "Power of Us" game

MADISON, Wis. — The No. 11 Wisconsin men’s basketball team takes on the Washington Huskies this Tuesday at the Kohl Center - the penultimate home game of the season.

The contest serves as Wisconsin’s Power of Us - Community and Culture Game, where we recognize our individual differences, while championing our collective strength. The Badgers will welcome the Divine 9 to the game and the group will perform at half time.

Tip at the Kohl Center is set for 8:00 p.m. (CT) on Peacock. Fans can also listen to the action on the Badger Sports Network.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW:

Carter Gilmore (7) dunks the ball against Oregon

1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin lost for just the second time at home this season, dropping an overtime game to Oregon, 77-73. It was UW’s first overtime game of the year. The Badgers led through the majority of the game, but a late Oregon push tied things up at the end of regulation. With the game coming down to free throws, the Ducks converted on their opportunities to seal the victory.

John Tonje led the game with 22 points. Steven Crowl added in 12 points, with Nolan Winter closely behind with 11. Max Klesmit and Kamari McGee were the main offensive contributors in the second half - scoring eight and seven points respectively in that frame.

Despite the loss, the Badgers shined in multiple aspects of the game. The post play from centers Crowl and Winter proved to be very effective, with the pair finding multiple good looks in one-on-one situations. It led to 40 points in the paint for Wisconsin, and a 56.8% shooting mark from inside the arc. The Badgers played at one of their faster tempos on the season as well, collecting 19 fast break points.

2. AMONG THE GREATS

John Tonje continues to post one of the best stretches of basketball in the country, with another great scoring performance on Saturday. Tonje caught fire toward the end of the first half, scoring 16 points in a six-minute stretch, 11 of them coming off the fast break. He finished with 22-points, his eighth 20-point game in the last nine contests for Wisconsin.

Since January 21, no player in Division I is averaging more than John Tonje’s 24.8 points per game. What makes the number stand out even more is that Tonje is just one of two players among the top ten scorers in that span to play for a ranked team. He’s not only putting the ball in the basket, but he’s contributing to winning basketball.

Tonje’s season is pushing into historic territory for Wisconsin’s record books as well. Sitting at 19.7 points per game on the season, Tonje is on the door-step of averaging 20+ points per game for an entire season - a feat only eight other Badger players have accomplished. Tonje would be the first Badger to do this since Michael Finley in 1994-95.

The Men's Basketball team will wear Power of Us shooting shirts at Tuesday's game

3. POWER OF US

Tuesday’s game will be a recognition of the Power of Us and a celebration of the individuals who make up Wisconsin Athletics.

The Badgers will be wearing Power of Us shooting shirts and the game will feature a National Anthem performance from Leotha Stanley and Ava Greenberg as well as a halftime performance from the "Divine Nine." The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the “Divine Nine,” is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities.

Wisconsin Athletics believes our differences are sources of strength, and together, our varied perspectives move us forward. The Power of Us initiative remains committed to sharing the stories of our Badger student-athletes, coaches, staff, and community members while also cultivating shared experiences. We believe this creates connection, encouraging community, self-exploration, and meaningful conversation. Join us as we celebrate and embrace the Power of Us, and be on the lookout for more opportunities to get involved.

Max Klesmit rises up for the shot against Nebraska in 2022-23

Washington's Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) previously faced the Badgers while on Nebraska

4. WATCHING WASHINGTON

The Badgers face the Washington Huskies in their next contest. The Huskies are currently last in the conference with a 4-12 record, and are 13-14 overall. The team’s last conference win came against Penn State on February 15. Since then, the Huskies have dropped their last two games to Rutgers (89-85) and Iowa (85-79).

Washington is led by Danny Sprinkle in his first season as head coach. Sprinkle comes from a mid-major coaching background, leading Utah State to a NCAA Tournament appearance last season, as well as Montana State before that. Sprinkle emphasizes a defense that doesn’t permit many 3-pointers, with Washington giving up the third fewest triples in the league.

On the court, it’s 6-8 forward Great Osobor leading the charge. The senior leads the team in points (15.0), rebounds (8.7) and assists per game (3.4). Sophomore transfer Tyler Harris spaces out the floor, shooting 50% from 3 on just over three attempts per game. He adds 12.1 points per game on the scoring side. Finally, Zoom Diallo impresses with 11.2 points per game as a freshman, adding in 2.8 assists per game as well.

UW Hall-of-Famer Joe Franklin (25) played in the last game between Wisconsin and Washington in 1965

5. SERIES HISTORY

Washington is the last of the four new Big Ten teams that Wisconsin faces this season, having previously played USC, UCLA, and Oregon. Washington has the distinction of being the least played Big Ten opponent in Wisconsin’s history, with Tuesday’s matchup being the teams’ first since 1965.

Washington leads the all-time series, 3-1. Wisconsin won the first matchup between the two teams in 1931 in Madison, and are 1-1 when playing at home. Washington took the most recent game, a December 17, 1965 contest played in Milwaukee, winning 81-67.

Wisconsin Hall-of-Famer Joe Franklin played on the 1965-66 team that last faced Washington. Franklin is one of the eight players for the Badgers who’ve eclipsed 20.0 points per game in a season - the mark that John Tonje could potentially reach in these upcoming games.

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