Tonje is getting ready to make history for the Badgers.
Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament – Championship
Before we start getting too emotional about saying goodbye to John Tonje, let’s remember that his journey with the Wisconsin Badgers isn’t finished. With that said, it’s going to be tough seeing him leave Madison after the fantastic impact he’s made for the program in his lone year with the program.
Tonje, who has been brilliant this year for head man Greg Gard, enters Saturday’s showdown vs. BYU with 687 points to his name. As reporter Dillon Graff noted, he’s third on the single-season record list. He could move into second place as early as this weekend. In two games, he could even break the mark set by Wisconsin legend Frank Kaminsky:
Wisconsin star John Tonje is in the hunt to make Wisconsin history this season
While we would love to see Tonje score 46 points against BYU on Saturday night, we’re not going to hold our breath that it’s going to happen. However, with a big game against the Cougars, he could move into second and then look to top Kaminsky’s record in the Sweet Sixteen, should UW advance.
Earlier this season, Big Frank didn’t hesitate in saying he’d be all for Tonje taking the No. 1 spot. Why? Because it would be good for the program overall. Kaminsky is as humble as can be – you’ve got to love his mindset about a different playmaker in a Badgers jersey dethroning him.
Having said that, it’s going to be on Tonje to get the job done. In the win over the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday, the senior guard scored 15 points and he added four rebounds. For the season, he’s pouring in more than 19 points per contest.
The rest of the way, Tonje and fellow standout John Blackwell will be ready to lead this locker room. Should those two keep playing well, there’s no reason Wisconsin can’t go on a deep run and push for a spot in the Final Four. Tonje will be a major factor in that potentially happening. He can also make some incredible Wisconsin history in the process while he’s at it.
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