Wisconsin basketball set records with its 116-85 blowout win over Iowa on Friday night.
The Badgers finished just four points shy of the program’s single-game scoring record (120 in 1967). The 116-point tally was, however, good enough for the most in Kohl Center history and the second-most in program history. That tally came thanks to a record night from three-point range — the Badgers’ 21 three-point makes set an all-time mark, breaking the previous high of 18.
The final score accurately sums up the game’s course of events. Iowa held a narrow lead with six minutes in the first half. The Badgers then went on a massive run, building a 54-43 advantage entering the break.
The second half led to the aforementioned records. Wisconsin won the frame 62-42 en route to the 31-point win.
John Blackwell led the way with a career night, tallying 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists on 11-of-18 shooting and six-of-10 from three. Wisconsin’s starting unit all contributed: Nolan Winter chipped in 18 points, Steven Crowl added 14, John Tonje scored 12 and Max Klesmit dropped eight. Those five combined for a whopping 84 points, 27 rebounds and 16 assists.
The win importantly improves the Badgers to 11-3 on the season (1-2 in Big Ten). And Iowa was no push-over — the Hawkeyes entered at 10-3 and ranked near the top of the nation in scoring. The statement win reestablishes Wisconsin as a true threat in the Big Ten. It again proved that it can beat any team in the country when shots fall offensively.
For more on what the huge win means for Greg Gard’s team and its rest-of-season chances, here are our biggest takeaways from the performance:
Record shooting night shows the Badgers’ ceiling
Dec 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) celebrates after scoring a three point basket against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin’s shooting tallies are challenging to comprehend. The team shot 40-of-62 (64.5%) from the floor, 21-of-31 from deep (67.7%) and 15-of-17 (88.2%) from the free-throw line.
We know that the Badgers will likely go as far as their shooting can take them. But Friday’s outing showed an increased ceiling. It reinforced the fact that the team can beat anybody in the country when the shots fall.
The context behind Wisconsin’s record-setting performances makes it even more impressive: the Badgers were 0-2 in Big Ten play after losses to Michigan and Illinois — two of the top teams in the country. They also had played only one game since Dec. 14. They entered a must-win game without much rhythm — then delivered that performance. Again, it raises the ceiling on what this Wisconsin team can achieve.
Don’t overlook a strong defensive performance
Dec 3, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin head coach head coach Greg Gard is shown during the first half of their game against Michigan Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Wisconsin’s scoring output will lead every headline, and rightfully so. But don’t overlook what was a strong defensive performance.
The Badgers held the Hawkeyes to their lowest point total (85) since a Dec. 12 loss to Iowa State. That tally feels high when presented in a vacuum. But in the scheme of a fast-paced game where the Badgers built a 20-point lead early in the second half, Iowa’s top-of-the-nation offense was neutralized when the game remained in the balance.
Wisconsin won the game with its defensive stretch in the first five minutes of the second half. The Badgers held Iowa to just four points during that time while scoring 13. That grew an 11-point halftime lead up to 20 points. It preceded the late-game offensive explosion to reach the aforementioned records.
Gard’s team looks different than years past with its pace and three-point rate. It even looks like some of the better Iowa teams of recent memory in how it plays. Still, the Badgers’ defense will go a long way toward deciding how far their season goes.
Rebounding wasn’t an issue
Feb 13, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31), forward Carter Gilmore (14) and head coach Greg Gard celebrate a three point basket during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin struggled to rebound the basketball during its three-game losing streak in early December. The team entered Friday’s game ranked No. 126 in the nation in rebound rate (51.4%). Friday’s totals: Wisconsin 37 (eight offensive) rebounds, Iowa 21 (seven offensive).
It must be noted that Wisconsin’s shooting made it challenging for Iowa to ever grab a rebound. But the Badgers importantly defended their own glass, something they had been unable to do in recent contests.
This is an area of the game we will continue to watch as the season continues.
The early-season Badgers are back
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard reacts to a play Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin’s early-season form returned against Iowa. That is due to the mentioned three-point shooting, excellence from the free-throw line and the same unstoppable offensive attack that earned it a dominant win over then-No. 9 Arizona.
This takeaway also extends past just Friday’s result. The sentiment surrounding Wisconsin should return to where it stood when the team sat 8-0 to start the season. That’s due to the team’s dominance over a strong Iowa team, and to Illinois, Marquette and Michigan sitting ranked No. 8, No. 9 and No. 11 in KenPom, respectively. As time passes, it becomes more and more clear that Wisconsin lost to three of the best teams in the country. Those losses shouldn’t be viewed as indictments on the Badgers’ overall quality.
No need for John Tonje
Nov 15, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA;Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) fouls Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) during the second half of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Wisconsin’s previous 100-point outing came thanks to a 41-point game from wing John Tonje. This time, the Badgers dropped 116 without needing Tonje to take over the contest. That continues to speak to the team’s balanced scoring and depth of contributors.
Tonje finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals on three-of-six shooting and two-of-three from three. He only attempted six shots as Wisconsin won by 31. That’s a promising sign moving forward.
Greg Gard and Kirk Penney should get the game balls
Wisconsin special assistant to the head coach Kirk Penney is shown during the second half of their game Monday, November 27, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Western Illinois 71-49. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Saturday’s performance was another testament to the job done by Greg Gard and top assistant Kirk Penney in revolutionizing the Badgers’ approach. 116 points tell that story, as do 31 three-point attempts and any stat that defines pace.
Wisconsin has not only embraced this new approach, but it has also mastered it. Wins over Iowa, Arizona and Pittsburgh saw the team dictate the game’s direction with this approach. The Badgers are becoming a model for how coaches should approach evolution and year-to-year improvement.
Daniel Freitag got on the board
Wisconsin guard Daniel Freitag (5)drives along the baseline during the second half of their preseason game Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat UW-River Falls 78-62. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
One final minor takeaway from the contest: top freshman Daniel Freitag got on the board with the first points of his college career. He took a pass from Isaac Gard in for a dunk with 0:46 remaining to extend the Badgers’ lead to 113-81.
The four-star class of 2024 point guard had previously played just 15 minutes through the team’s first 13 games of the year. He is far from cracking the top point guard rotation after joining the program this offseason.
Still, Freitag’s ceiling remains among the highest in the program. It was great to see him get extended time to close the game and finally enter the scoring sheet.
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