How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 campaign with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The primary story from the Badgers’ opening performance: transfer wing John Tonje had a program-best debut with 23 points and five rebounds, including a three-of-six mark from three-point range and eight-of-eight from the free throw line.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Tonje’s Wisconsin debut is significant news for Greg Gard and his staff as they work to replace the production of A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who transferred to Kansas and Louisville, respectively, this offseason.

Tonje’s performance creates a comparison point that is sure to persist throughout the season — more so with Storr, who plays the same position.

Here is Tonje’s full stat line, and how it compares to how Storr and Hepburn began their respective careers at new programs:

Tonje (85-61 win over Holy Cross): 27 minutes, 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, 6/11 from the floor, 3/6 from three, 8/8 from the line

Storr (87-57 win over Howard): 15 minutes off the bench, five points, two rebounds, two assists, 2/5 from the floor, 1/1 from three

Hepburn (93-45 win over Morehead State): 21 minutes, eight points, one rebound, four assists, 1/3 from the floor, 1/2 from three, 5/5 from the line

Tonje boasted the best debut of the three on Monday night, although each was in a blowout non-conference win.

His was also far better than Wisconsin’s other transfer additions. F Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) tallied two points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes of action of the bench, while G Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) missed the game with an injury.

Gard and the Badgers had a tough task attempting to replace the top-end production of Hepburn, Storr and forward Tyler Wahl (graduation). Tonje already appears to be a viably replacement, enough that his production can be compared to that of Storr on a No. 1-ranked Kansas team.

Tonje, Amos and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/badger-transfers-j-storr-chucky-133230043.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2024-11-05 13:32:00

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