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
-
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 - 10h -
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 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 -
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 - 6h -
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 -
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 - 10h -
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 -
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 - 2d -
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 TournamentABC News - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Fans, former teammates, Grizzlies honor 'first-team guy' Tony Allen at jersey retirement ceremony
Tony Allen's Memphis Grizzlies jersey retirement was heartful, comical and fitting.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
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 - 29m -
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 - 42m -
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 - 49m -
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 - 54m
More in Sports
-
Fans, former teammates, Grizzlies honor 'first-team guy' Tony Allen at jersey retirement ceremony
Tony Allen's Memphis Grizzlies jersey retirement was heartful, comical and fitting.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
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 - 29m -
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 - 42m -
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 - 49m -
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 - 50m