The last time the No. 21 Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team (19-5, 9-4 Big Ten) met with the Iowa Hawkeyes, it was an offensive barn-burner.
With both teams known for their offensive prowess, Saturday’s matchup was expected to be more of the same. But in Wisconsin’s 74-63 victory, the defense prevailed and the Badgers left Iowa City with a season sweep over the Hawkeyes.
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s game, Iowa’s offense averaged 85.5 points per game, good for fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten. But in limiting Iowa to a season-low 63 points and holding them to a collective 36.1% from the field, Wisconsin proved they’re a growing defensive force as the season progresses.
“This just shows how good and talented this team can be down the stretch,” guard John Blackwell said after the game. “We did a great job, guards and bigs shut their water off, get the players who were scoring off the line. They are a great scoring team, but credit to our coaches. We kept it according to the plan and executed.”
Guard John Tonje led Wisconsin offensively, scoring 22 points, nine of which came at the free-throw line, and grabbed six rebounds and four assists. Tonje’s offensive presence was huge for Wisconsin down the stretch, as the senior found ways to get points on the board.
“He’s one of the best players I’ve played with throughout my career,” Blackwell said. “He finds a knack for scoring. His shot’s not falling, he finds a way to get fouled or get to the rim. He’s just a humble dude."
Blackwell added 19 on 5-11 shooting, with six rebounds and two assists. Guard Max Klesmit scored nine points, while forward Steven Crowl contributed seven.
Within the first few minutes of action, both teams knew it would be a dogfight. Wisconsin and Iowa traded baskets for the first six minutes as pestering defenses made it only an 11-11 game.
With Iowa double-teaming Crowl, the Badgers prioritized the three-ball — 15 of Wisconsin's first 19 points came from beyond the arc. But Wisconsin turned the ball over six times in the first half and found themselves in an uphill battle, trailing 39-37 at halftime.
To start the second half, both teams experienced cold spells, shooting a combined 4-16 in the opening minutes. The Badgers made only four of their first 19 shots of the second half and had to rely on their defense to keep the game close.
Around the 10-minute mark, Wisconsin began to heat up, as Blackwell’s fast-break lay-up followed by Kamari McGee’s corner three and another 3-pointer from Blackwell put the Badgers on an 8-0 run, flipping the game from a 51-49 Hawkeye advantage to a 57-51 Badger lead.
Iowa quickly retook the lead, but Tonje’s seven straight points shifted the advantage back to Wisconsin, where the game stayed to the end of the fourth quarter. With Iowa suddenly on a rush of momentum, Tonje did what he could to get to the free-throw line, demoralizing the Hawkeyes by sandwiching a three-pointer between two sets of free throws.
As Tonje went on his scoring stretch, Iowa’s offensive woes were put at the forefront, as the Badgers’ defense held the Hawkeyes to only one field goal over the game’s final seven minutes and 35 seconds.
It hasn’t been the case often this season, but on Saturday, Wisconsin’s defense carried the load for an offense that has been so good. In doing so, Wisconsin continues to polish their resume and prove they can win games in a multitude of ways.
