Social media celebrates after Wisconsin's Big Ten Tournament win over Michigan State
Saturday may have been an ignition point for the 2024-25 Wisconsin Badgers as they search for postseason success.
The team defeated Michigan State 77-74 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal. The win, which came down to a chaotic final-minute sequence, sends the Badgers into the conference title game on Sunday afternoon. More importantly, it was arguably the team's best win of the year, plus easily its most dramatic.
John Tonje unsurprisingly led Wisconsin in nearly every category. He finished with 32 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a game-clinching block. Wisconsin also received notable contributions from John Blackwell (14 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal) and Carter Gilmore (10 points, five rebounds and five assists) as it held off Michigan State's numerous final-minute comeback bids.
The final stats properly depict what was a tightly contested heavyweight battle between two of the conference's best. Wisconsin shot 42.5% from the floor to Michigan State's 40.7%, grabbed 33 rebounds to Michigan State's 37 and assisted on 15 baskets to Michigan State's 13. Additionally, both teams turned the ball over exactly seven times and neither built a lead of more than nine points.
Again, the game came down to Wisconsin making more plays in the final minutes. Blackwell and Gilmore combined for 13 of the team's final 17 points, scoring at the line, at the rim and from three-point range in those deciding sequences. Gilmore also added a key block on a Spartans game-tying three-point attempt with just seconds remaining. While the Badgers still needed John Tonje's heroic block on Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr.'s buzzer-beater attempt, Blackwell and Gilmore delivered with key plays in nearly every big moment.
Still, Tonje's fantastic performance leads the postgame headlines.
Social media was predictably impressed by the suddenly resurgent Badgers and their star contributors. Here are some of the more notable postgame reactions from Wisconsin fans, plus both local and national media:
John Tonje was fantastic
John Tonje. So damn good.
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 15, 2025
John Tonje is that dude, man.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) March 15, 2025
Reaction to Carter Gilmore's big block
OMG Gilly James may have saved the #Badgers.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) March 15, 2025
Carter Gilmore you legend
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 15, 2025
CARTER GILMORE WHAT A CLOSE OUT!
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 15, 2025
Gilly James. Iconic. pic.twitter.com/OCPvFOB5KW
— ebo (@ebosays) March 15, 2025
Is Tonje ready for a Kemba Walker-type run?
Wisconsin’s John Tonje is the first player with a 30-point game in 3 wins over AP Top-10 teams in a single season since UConn’s Kemba Walker in 2010-11.
— Jared Berson (@JaredBerson) March 15, 2025
- 41 in a win over (9) Arizona in November
- 32 in a win at (7) Purdue in February
- 32 in a win vs (7) Michigan State today
Jon Rothstein reacts
John Tonje played like an All-American today.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 15, 2025
32 and 7 rebounds.
Wisconsin is an elite watch.
Tremendous offensive team. https://t.co/r5tUraY7cL
Kamari McGee: Wisconsin is on a revenge tour
“Told my fellas this was a revenge tour.”
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) March 15, 2025
UCLA: ✅
Michigan State: ✅
Maryland/Michigan: ❓ pic.twitter.com/DC2OGZez0e
Tonje's game-sealing block was unbelievable
My thinking is that he thought he was going to try to foul up three, got caught and just gambled and made an incredible play. https://t.co/hzKLgCNmft
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) March 15, 2025
All ball. Wow.
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) March 15, 2025
Or Tonje made an incredible play on the ball and every replay showed that https://t.co/FT81k3jtgy
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 15, 2025
Another big day for Greg Gard
What a job by Greg Gard and his staff the past two seasons. The @BadgerMBB are in consecutive @B1GMBBall tournament title games with different rosters and a tweak in style of play.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 15, 2025
https://t.co/wjphHYKKX1pic.twitter.com/Z5WNz1H4AW
— Grant Bilse (@WiscoGrant) March 15, 2025
A Michigan State perspective:
Tough loss but credit to Wisconsin. Tonje was hooping and they made more plays
— Carter Elliott (@CarterElliott__) March 15, 2025
Former Badgers react to questionable officiating
The review process in college basketball is completely out of control. Just play the game
— Jared Berggren (@jberggren40) March 15, 2025
SOFTTTT
— Zak Showalter (@ZShowbball333) March 15, 2025
I never remember the Big Ten refs being this bad… what happened??
— Frank Kaminsky III (@FSKPart3) March 15, 2025
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Reaction to Wisconsin basketball Michigan State tournament game
Topics
-
Social media impressed by Wisconsin's decisive Big Ten Tournament win over UCLA
Wisconsin advanced in the Big Ten Tournament with a decisive 86-70 win over UCLA on Friday. Social media was impressed by the Badgers' performanceYahoo Sports - 1d -
Takeaways from Wisconsin's thrilling Big Ten Tournament win over Michigan State
Wisconsin basketball advanced to the Big Ten Tournament final with a heart-stopping 77-74 win over Michigan State on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
RECAP: John Tonje leads Wisconsin to thrilling Big Ten Tournament win over Michigan State
Wisconsin basketball defeated the Michigan State Spartans 77-74 in a Big Ten Tournament thriller on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis, Indiana.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Social media reacts to Wisconsin basketball's win over Northwestern
Wisconsin returned to the win column emphatically on Thursday, defeating Northwestern 70-63 in the second round of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Three key stats that defined Wisconsin's Big Ten Tournament victory over Michigan State
Here are the major areas that defined Wisconsin's big win over Michigan State on SaturdayYahoo Sports - 5h -
Michigan State falls in Big Ten Tournament semis, 77-74, to Wisconsin
Wisconsin has ended Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament run in the semifinal in a hard fought 77-74 gameYahoo Sports - 10h -
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over OregonYahoo Sports - 1d -
Michigan State basketball's Big Ten tournament run ends with 77-74 loss to Wisconsin
Michigan State basketball's Big Ten tournament came to an end Saturday with a loss to Wisconsin. Next up, the real March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
The best reactions to Michigan basketball stunning Maryland in Big Ten Tournament
After the stunning victory in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, social media exploded reacting to the Wolverines' victory.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
RECAP: Wisconsin basketball cruises to Big Ten Tournament win over Northwestern
The Wisconsin Badgers rolled to a 70-63 triumph over the Northwestern Wildcats in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday afternoonYahoo Sports - 2d -
Takeaways from Wisconsin’s massive Big Ten Tournament win over UCLA
Wisconsin basketball rode a three-point barrage to a victory over UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Wisconsin basketball ties Big Ten Tournament record in win over UCLA
The Wisconsin Badgers made Big Ten Tournament history in their dominant 86-70 triumph over the UCLA Bruins on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Michigan State basketball: Coen Carr grows up, sparks win over Oregon in Big Ten tourney
Coen Carr's intensity provides Michigan State basketball the spark it needed to beat Oregon Ducks in Big Ten tournament.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Major takeaways from Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament win over Northwestern
Wisconsin basketball defeated Northwestern in the second round of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament on Thursday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
RECAP: Wisconsin dominates UCLA in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal
Wisconsin basketball advanced in the Big Ten Tournament with an 86-70 win over the UCLA Bruins on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Big Ten Tournament - Wisconsin vs. Michigan State Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d -
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball's 74-64 win over Oregon in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals
Columnist Graham Couch shares his thoughts on MSU's Big Ten tournament performance and win against Oregon on Friday afternoon with three quick takes.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
How to watch Michigan State-Wisconsin in the Big Ten basketball tournament, live stream, betting line
What you need to know to watch the MSU-Wisconsin Big Ten tournament semifinal on Saturday in Indianapolis.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Big Ten tournament bracket, schedule: Can Michigan State run table, crash No. 1 seed party?
The Spartans enter Big Ten tournament play on a seven-game winning streak that includes five wins over ranked teams.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Michigan State defeats Notre Dame, moves on to Big Ten Tournament championship
Michigan State hockey is moving on to the Big Ten Tournament championship game after defeating Notre Dame on home ice, 1-0Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Michigan eyes Big Ten title after buzzer-beater
With some heroics just before the buzzer, No. 22 Michigan posted an 81-80 victory over No. 11 Maryland in the Big Ten tournament semifinals Saturday in Indianapolis, giving the Wolverines 24 wins ...ESPN - 4h -
Watch Isaac Howard's Big Ten Tournament semifinal game winning goal for Michigan State
Relive Michigan State's game winning goal over Notre Dame from the stick of Isaac HowardYahoo Sports - 5h -
Was Michigan State basketball vs Wisconsin no-call at the buzzer correct? You decide
Wisconsin's John Tonje reached in and swiped at ball as Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. attempted to shoot tying 3-pointer in Big Ten tournament.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Wisconsin vs. Michigan State in Big Ten tournament semifinal: Starters, statistics, TV info, prediction
The Badgers and Spartans will play in a Big Ten tournament semifinal at noon in Indianapolis.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Tonje scores 32 as No. 18 Wisconsin tops No. 7 Michigan St. 77-74 in Big Ten semis
John Tonje scored 32 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help No. 18 Wisconsin beat No. 7 Michigan State 77-74 on Saturday in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin odds, how to watch, prediction, free 2025 Big Ten Tournament semifinal picks
SportsLine's proven computer model has revealed its best bets for Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan State Spartans Saturday on CBS and streaming on Paramount+CBS Sports - 13h -
Spartans advance in Big Ten Tournament with double digit victory over Oregon
Michigan State basketball has opened their Big Ten Tournament with a victory over Oregon in the quarterfinal.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Social media reactions to Florida's SEC Tournament Quarterfinals win over Missouri
The Gator Nation reacts after Florida basketball's 95-81 win over the Missouri Tigers in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Michigan State basketball, Oregon might be 2 hottest teams in the Big Ten tournament
No. 6 Michigan State basketball, on a seven-game win streak, opens Big Ten tournament play at noon Friday vs. Oregon, which has won eight in a row.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
No. 22 Michigan snaps skid with 86-68 win over No. 20 Purdue, advances to Big Ten semis
Danny Wolf had 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and No. 22 Michigan snapped a three-game losing streak with a 86-68 win over No. 20 Purdue in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinalABC News - 1d -
Iowa baseball splits doubleheader opening three-game Big Ten series vs. Michigan State
After dropping the front half of a doubleheader vs. Michigan State, Iowa baseball responds with a 7-3 win to even the three-game Big Ten series.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Big Ten tournament semifinal prediction: Can Wisconsin basketball upset No. 1 seed Michigan State?
The Badgers face the Spartans in a Big Ten semifinal game at noon Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
Wisconsin ends Michigan State's Big Ten tournament run off clean no-call block by John Tonje in final seconds
The Spartans were looking for the foul, but Tonje's well-timed strip helped the Badgers secure a 77-74 win.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Five takeaways from Michigan basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over Purdue
What happened and what we took away from Michigan basketball's surprising win over Purdue.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Here's how you can watch Saturday's MSU-Wisconsin basketball game
Here's how you can watch Big Ten Tournament matchup between Michigan State and Wisconsin on SaturdayYahoo Sports - 20h -
Michigan State hockey wins tight one, 1-0, over Notre Dame to reach Big Ten tourney final
Junior forward Isaac Howard scored the game's lone goal just 19 seconds into the third period to give Michigan State a 1-0 win over Notre Dame.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Iowa baseball claims second Big Ten series with run-rule shutout vs. Michigan State
After splitting a Friday doubleheader vs. Michigan State, Iowa baseball wins the three-game Big Ten series on a 10-0 run-rule shutout of the Spartans.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Big Ten tournament: Michigan's Tre Donaldson goes coast-to-coast to stun Maryland with 0.9 seconds left
The Wolverines will face Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
How to watch Michigan State-Oregon in the Big Ten basketball tournament, live stream, betting line
What you need to know to watch the Michigan State vs. Oregon Big Ten tournament game on Friday in Indianapolis.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Brayden Burries delivers historic performance to lead Roosevelt to state championship
Brayden Burries scored a record 44 points to help Eastvale Roosevelt win the Open Division state championship over San Francisco Riordan.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Dick Vitale gets emotional talking about cancer battle on Duke-Louisville broadcast
ESPN's Dick Vitale said Saturday's broadcast would be his last of this season. "Have faith and believe," he told cancer patients.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
ACC Tournament MVP Kon Knueppel proves Duke has firepower that goes well beyond Cooper Flagg
It wasn't a surprise that a Duke freshman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday night. What may have been surprising is that he wasn't named ...Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Disappointed Marvin Vettori issues statement on UFC Fight Night 254 loss
Marvin Vettori's comeback did not go as planned at UFC Fight Night 254. After injuries sidelined him for the longest layoff of his career, former middleweight title challenger Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, ...Yahoo Sports - 48m -
High school basketball: CIF state championship scores
CIF state championship boys' and girls' basketball championship scores.Yahoo Sports - 52m
More in Sports
-
Brayden Burries delivers historic performance to lead Roosevelt to state championship
Brayden Burries scored a record 44 points to help Eastvale Roosevelt win the Open Division state championship over San Francisco Riordan.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Dick Vitale gets emotional talking about cancer battle on Duke-Louisville broadcast
ESPN's Dick Vitale said Saturday's broadcast would be his last of this season. "Have faith and believe," he told cancer patients.Yahoo Sports - 36m -
ACC Tournament MVP Kon Knueppel proves Duke has firepower that goes well beyond Cooper Flagg
It wasn't a surprise that a Duke freshman was named the Most Valuable Player of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday night. What may have been surprising is that he wasn't named ...Yahoo Sports - 43m -
Knicks' frustration boils over as Tom Thibodeau and Josh Hart get into heated exchange during loss to Warriors
New York has lost four of six and has the third-worst offense since the All-Star breakCBS Sports - 45m -
2025 March Madness: Conference tournament scores, automatic bids, tickets punched to Big Dance, brackets
With Selection Sunday here, check out the the teams who have earned AQ bids to the NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 46m