Wisconsin ends Michigan State's Big Ten tournament run off clean no-call block by John Tonje in final seconds
Wisconsin ended Michigan State's Big Ten Tournament a little early Saturday, beating the No. 1 seed 77-74 in a tight semifinal matchup. The Badgers came through with some clutch defense in the final seconds to hold the three-point lead and keep the Spartans from tying things up.
[Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K]
With seconds remaining, a pair of missed free throws from Badgers guard John Tonje put Michigan State in position to send the game into overtime with a 3-pointer. But Tonje made up for his error, getting a clean touch on the ball just before Jeremy Fears Jr. went for the game-tying heave.
After the buzzer, multiple Spartans looked to the officials, believing that a foul should have been called. But video confirmed that Tonje's gutsy block was clean, and that the no-call was correct.
The Badgers hold on in a thrilling #B1GMBBT semifinal 😰 pic.twitter.com/U8zIoVERcA
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 15, 2025
Just seconds before, another huge block had saved the game for the Badgers. Carter Gilmore got a piece of an attempted 3-pointer from Tre Holloman, sending the ball off-target.
Gilmore blocks it 🚫#B1GMBBT on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/NWfOgZy5V0
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 15, 2025
Things were tight between the two teams throughout the game, with Wisconsin holding a slim four-point lead heading into halftime. Michigan State kept closing in on the Badgers' lead in the final minutes of the second half before Wisconsin danced away again. The Spartans did their best to push for a win in the final seconds, but the Badgers' defense held strong.
Tonje had a huge game overall, finishing with game-high 32 points and chipping in seven rebounds. Spartans guard Jase Richardson led Michigan State with 21 points, with Fears and Holloman pitching in 14 and 10 points each, respectively.
Wisconsin, who was already comfortably in the field for March Madness, will now face the winner of Michigan-Maryland in the Big Ten tournament finals on Sunday. As for Michigan State, an early conference tournament exit won't have much impact on their NCAA tournament prospects; the Spartans are likely looking at a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance.
Topics
-
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 - 3d -
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 - 3d -
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 - 3d -
What Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said about Wisconsin star John Tonje after Badgers' win
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo had a front-row seat as Wisconsin wing John Tonje delivered yet another signature performance on Saturday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
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 - 3d -
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 - 3d -
Greg Gard praises John Tonje, Carter Gilmore after Wisconsin's big win over Michigan State
Without a pair of key playmakers, Wisconsin basketball's thrilling 77-74 victory over Michigan State on Saturday would not have been possible.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
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 - 3d -
Nolan Winter and John Tonje lead No. 18 Wisconsin over Northwestern 70-63
Nolan Winter and John Tonje each scored 18 points to lead No. 18 Wisconsin to a 70-63 victory over Northwestern in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday. The Badgers (24-8), ...Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More in Sports
-
NCAA bracket predictions: Model says surprising March Madness 2025 tournament picks
SportsLine's model nailed 13 of the teams in the Sweet 16 last season and simulated the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket 10,000 timesCBS Sports - 13m -
March Madness 2025 bracket: NCAA Tournament picks, predictions from calculated college basketball model
SportsLine's model has nailed 24 first-round upsets by double-digit seeds and revealed its optimal NCAA Tournament bracket 2025CBS Sports - 16m -
Darian DeVries accepts offer to coach Indiana, will replace Mike Woodson after one season at West Virginia
DeVries just wrapped up his first season with West Virginia after a six-year run at DrakeCBS Sports - 18m -
NCAA Tournament 2025: Bracket busters, March Madness Cinderella upset picks by proven college basketball model
March Madness 2025 features Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida as the men's NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed teamsCBS Sports - 28m -
Steelers' Heyward fed up waiting on Rodgers
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said on his podcast Tuesday that he has no plans to recruit Aaron Rodgers and that he just wants Pittsburgh's quarterback situation settled.ESPN - 29m