© Dane Sheehan
Wisconsin Basketball Rides Roaring Performance by Klesmit Over Bobcats
Madison, WI - Despite some hot three-point shooting by its opponent, it never felt like Wisconsin basketball was at much risk of falling to Montana State on Thursday evening. The Badgers (2-0) rode some hot three-point shooting of their own to a comfortable 79-67 victory over the Bobcats (0-1)
In his first weekly radio show of the season, UW head coach Greg Gard remarked that his team wants to achieve "30-30" games: 30 three-point and 30 free-throw attempts. While Wisconsin did not quite reach that point—the Badgers attempted 21 free throws and 22 threes—Gard lauded his team's efficient shooting performance in his post-game press conference.
According to Gard, 75 of his team's 79 points came from "at-the-rim twos, free throws, or threes." The coach, in his tenth season at the helm, emphasized, "That's what we want from an analytical standpoint. We want things at the rim: Dunks, layups, post moves, free throws, and good threes."
John Tonje Continues Impressive Debut Week with Wisconsin Basketball
Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and one assist in UW's 79-67 victory over the Montana State Bobcats on Thursday, November 7th, 2024.
© Dane Sheehan
Although he did not finish as Wisconsin's leading scorer, perhaps no Badger was more impressive than John Tonje on Thursday. The graduate guard finished with 13 points, doing most of his damage in the first half. Through 20 minutes, the Missouri transfer recorded 11 points and four rebounds, but how he scored was most impressive.
Doing his part to try and reach the "30-30" mark, Tonje attempted nine first-half free throws, making eight. His three other three points came from beyond the arc. Tonje's six drawn fouls, all in the first half, were a game-high.
That first-half performance followed the trend of Tonje's scoring, which he first demonstrated against Holy Cross. In the Badgers' season-opener, "the dad of the team" connected on all eight free throws and half his six attempts from three.
Despite Tonje's early success, Gard believes there is more to come for the veteran guard. The Badgers coach believes Tonje "should get to the line more," noting that when the North Omaha native "got better at playing off two feet" to close the first half, he excelled.
Max Klesmit's Hot Shooting Propels Badgers to Victory
Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit prepares to attempt a free throw during UW's 79-67 victory over the Montana State Bobcats on November 7th, 2024
© Dane Sheehan
Tonje's 11 first-half points were matched by Max Klesmit, who led all scorers with 26 points. The Neenah native similarly scored efficiently with 6-11 shooting from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-6 performance at the free throw line.
It was a much-needed performance from the Wofford transfer, who had not yet shot well in front of a crowd this season. Shooting just 1-7 on threes against Holy Cross and 0-3 in UW's exhibition against River Falls, Klesmit's shooting added an element Wisconsin had not yet had in front of a crowd.
Klesmit was happy to keep shooting Thursday, noting the Badgers have only "played one real game" and that he doesn't "get too bogged down in how shooting performances go earlier."
"Basketball is like golf," the senior remarked. "You're not going to hit 320-yard drives down the fairway every single time. It might be in the rough. You might miss one long, but you get to play hole two and you get to shoot the next shot."
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