Wisconsin basketball’s win over UCF matches best start since … 2014-15

Wisconsin’s basketball program made history in its 86-70 win over UCF on Friday.

For the first time since 2014-15, the Badgers have started the season with a 6-0 record. That legendary team amassed a 36-4 overall record and reached the 2015 NCAA Tournament title game.

Unlike the 2014-15 crew, the 2024-25 Badgers have scored 79 or more points in each of their first six games of the season — five games with 86 or more. That is a program-best mark.

While this version of UW does not roster Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker or Nigel Hayes, it does blend a unique combination of experience, size and athleticism.

Through six games, transfer wing John Tonje has been nothing short of a star for Greg Gard. The senior is averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in just under 30 minutes per appearance. He’s also shooting a blistering 53.2% from the floor, 44.4% from three-point range and 94.3% from the foul line.

https://twitter.com/brandonharrison/status/1860144804262511092

Sophomore guard John Blackwell accounts for 16.3 points per contest, and senior Max Klesmit puts up over 13 points per game. The Badgers lead the nation in free throw percentage, outscore opponents by nearly 17 points and dish out just under 16 assists per game.

Wisconsin was ranked No. 19 in the latest AP Poll before a pair of victories. That ranking should rise if the team defeats Pittsburgh in the Greenbrier Tip-Off final. As they seem to do every year, the Badgers are overachieving based off their preseason expectations.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-basketball-win-over-ucf-202120856.html

Author : Badgers Wire

Publish date : 2024-11-23 20:21:00

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