Major takeaways from Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament win over Northwestern

Wisconsin basketball defeated Northwestern 70-63 on Thursday afternoon in the second round of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament.

The result begins what many hope will be a long and successful postseason run for Greg Gard's team. After a 2-3 mark to close the regular season, Thursday's triumph saw it return to many of its winning ways.

First, star wing John Tonje played his best game in weeks, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, an assist and two steals on 7-of-14 shooting. His play was complimented by a terrific showing from sophomore forward Nolan Winter (18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals on just 4-of-5 shooting). Wisconsin as a team shot 41.5% from the field and 32% from three, plus held Northwestern to just 37% from the field. The team's 17 points off Northwestern turnovers is a major deciding stat, compared to the Wildcats' five points-off-turnovers.

The game, which was tightly-contested through the entire first half, turned with three minutes remaining before the break. Wisconsin led just 31-30 after a K.J. Windham made jump shot. The Badgers then closed the half on a 6-0 run, capped off by a tough buzzer-beating turnaround jumper from Tonje. They controlled the tempo for the remainder of the contest, eventually building a lead as large as 18 points.

While the final score shows a seven-point margin, Wisconsin dominated the game for the entire closing frame.

The Badgers now advance to face No. 4-seed UCLA on Friday afternoon in the tournament quarterfinal. With a win, they would play the winner of No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 8 Oregon. As the team looks to round into form with the NCAA Tournament right around the corner, here are our big takeaways from their win over Northwestern.

Wisconsin isn't fully 'back'...but it played a lot better against the Wildcats

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) rushes up the court against Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Maybe it's something about the Wisconsin-Northwestern matchup that leads to close, hard-fought contests. But the Badgers struggled through the first nine-plus minutes of game time, scoring just 11 total points. The team began with six three-point attempts in its first nine shots. It made just one of those six.

Wisconsin deserves credit, however, for finding an offensive rhythm, attacking the basket and eventually wearing down a limited Northwestern team. The overall performance was a clear step in the right direction after a rough stretch to close the season. However, the Badgers still have another few steps before they return to their top form.

John Tonje turned the game with his aggressiveness

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots the ball while Northwestern Wildcats forward Luke Hunger (33) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Tonje delivered his best all-around performance in weeks -- 18 points, seven rebounds, an assist and two steals on 7-of-14 shooting. Two important dunks punctuated his outing. The first came with 3:55 left in the first half (his first basket of the game). That gave Wisconsin a 29-26 advantage, beginning an extended run to take control of the contest. The second came with 3:52 left in the second half -- a thunderous right-hand slam. The dunk extended Wisconsin's lead to 68-51, ending the game, for all intents and purposes.

Wisconsin struggled for most of the first half before Tonje got going. He was the first to make a concerted effort to attack the basket. That led to layups, dunks, free-throws and open three-point shooters. Once Tonje got going, the rest was history.

This was the All-Big Ten-caliber play from the star wing that Wisconsin needs moving forward.

Wisconsin was at its best when it attacked the paint

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) scores past Northwestern Wildcats center Matthew Nicholson (34) during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

As mentioned, Wisconsin struggled offensively to start the game. Part of that slow start appeared to be due to shot selection, as the team almost exclusively attempted three-pointers, many of them contested. Once Tonje, Winter and the rest of the team began attacking the paint, the rest of the court quickly opened up.

This is a game to file away before the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin's offense is at its best when the team makes threes. But those long-range shots are only high-quality when they are open and in-rhythm. That often first requires excellent play from inside the arc.

Nolan Winter is healthy...and Wisconsin's x-factor

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 01: Nolan Winter #31 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots a three pointer over Ty Berry #3 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 01, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Wisconsin badly missed Nolan Winter down the stretch of its loss to Penn State on Saturday. Against Northwestern, the standout forward further proved his importance to the team's chances of a deep run. Winter tallied 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals on 4-of-5 shooting and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Continuing a larger theme from the game, his excellence around the rim and at the line was a major reason the Badgers triumphed.

I'd argue for Winter as Wisconsin's primary x-factor next to Tonje. When he is healthy and effective on the offensive end, the Badgers are nearly impossible to beat.

Max Klesmit is back, healthy and playing well

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) passes the ball while Northwestern Wildcats guard Angelo Ciaravino (44) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Max Klesmit made a major impact in his return to the lineup for the first time in weeks. The veteran guard finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 24 minutes. His step-back three on Nick Martinelli was one of many exclamation points as the Badgers executed their second-half run.

Wisconsin is a far more effective team with Klesmit in the lineup. Importantly, his return allowed Kamari McGee to excel in his typical bench role (eight points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal). Klesmit's presence seems to give the team flow on both ends of the court. While his impact was clear when Wisconsin struggled during his absence, Thursday's game only backs up that reality.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball Northwestern Big Ten Tournament game takeaways

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