Was it a foul? You be the judge of controversial final play in MSU-Wisconsin game
Michigan State basketball's time in the Big Ten Tournament ended in controversy on Saturday afternoon.
The Spartans had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but a block (or maybe steal) by Wisconsin star John Tonje sealed the victory for the Badgers. Michigan State starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. raced up the floor and attempted to put up a game-tying half-court shot but he was interrupted by Tonje on the play. It appeared Tonje was going for the foul to avoid the opportunity of Michigan State hitting a three to tie the game and send it to overtime, but no call was made as Fears flung the ball towards the hoop. Fears' shot didn't go in, and Michigan State is now heading home from the Big Ten Tournament.
The end of the game instantly sparked debate online and amongst those who watched the game on whether or not a foul should have been called. Included below is the final play from CBS Sports -- you can be the judge on whether or not Fears was fouled.
WISCONSIN HOLDS ON!@BadgerMBB gets a stop in the closing seconds and advances to the @BIgTen championship game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IlDzoaxg9x
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 15, 2025
From my point of view, this was a clear block, and honestly, an incredible play by Tonje. Maybe he got lucky in the sense that he was going for the foul and happened to get ball. But either way, this was the right call by the refs and an unfortunate ending to the Big Ten Tournament for Michigan State.
The good news, though, is that Michigan State is still positioned for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament that begins next week. The official bracket reveal will occur tomorrow evening, but the Spartans are essentially locked in as a No. 2 seed. So don't be too upset about this result as bigger games are coming soon for Michigan State.
Stay with Spartans Wire for additional coverage on this game and the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Breaking down MSU-Wisconsin controversial ending
-
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 - 16h -
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 - 21h -
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 - 6h -
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 - 6h -
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 - 5h -
Here's how you can watch Saturday's MSU-Notre Dame Big Ten Tournament hockey game
Michigan State hockey battles Notre Dame on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament - here's how you can watch this matchupYahoo Sports - 16h -
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 - 5h -
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 - 6h -
Spartans' semifinals matchup in Big Ten Tournament is now finalized
We now know who Michigan State basketball will play in its Big Ten Tournament semifinals matchup on SaturdayYahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cade Cunningham ejected in bizarre tech-fest from refs in Detroit Pistons game vs. Thunder
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham was ejected early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at LCA.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Chadwick basketball caps greatest stretch in school history by repeating as Class 1 champs
The greatest stretch, led by the greatest players, in Chadwick basketball history won its second straight Class 1 state championship.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Temitope Adeshina, Tamiah Washington fuel Texas Tech women's track & field at NCAA meet
Texas Tech track and field teams finish eighth on men's side, 10th on women's at NCAA championships. Temitope Adeshina won her first individual titleYahoo Sports - 16m -
Vikings acquire RB Jordan Mason and swap picks in trade with 49ers
The 49ers send Vikings breakout running back Jordan Mason in trade that includes a pick swap and Minnesota sending an extra pick.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Rintaro Sasaki, aka Japan's home run king, absolutely crushed his first college home run
Rainmaker: Rintaro Sasaki's completely crushes his first college home run at Stanford.Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: The Mountain West will see four teams -- for now
Colorado State beat Boise State for the Mountain West title, and automatic bid. This is good news for Indiana.ESPN - 9m -
Cade Cunningham ejected in bizarre tech-fest from refs in Detroit Pistons game vs. Thunder
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham was ejected early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at LCA.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Chadwick basketball caps greatest stretch in school history by repeating as Class 1 champs
The greatest stretch, led by the greatest players, in Chadwick basketball history won its second straight Class 1 state championship.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Temitope Adeshina, Tamiah Washington fuel Texas Tech women's track & field at NCAA meet
Texas Tech track and field teams finish eighth on men's side, 10th on women's at NCAA championships. Temitope Adeshina won her first individual titleYahoo Sports - 16m -
NCAA: Duke says Flagg to be available for tourney
Duke star Cooper Flagg, who suffered an ankle injury during the ACC tournament, will be available for the NCAA tournament, according to Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of men's basketball.ESPN - 18m