Analyze the biggest games that decided to victory for Wisconsin over Illinois

Wisconsin badgers overcome a substantial obstacle Tuesday evening, beating the Illinois Illini fighting for the first time in 10 meetings.

The badgers won 95-74, thanks to another huge performance by star John Tonje. The veteran Wing recorded his second consecutive match with at least 30 points, joining the legend of the Michael Finley program as the only badger to boast of this feat.

Wisconsin started the strong game before creating a significant separation in the second period, upgrading the Illinois by 15 in the frame. The Illinois was decimated by injuries and illness, which is why badgers attacked his area before exhausted. In addition to Tonje’s excellence, badgers have excelled in this game thanks to a remarkable performance by Steven Crowl, which scored 20 points and seized seven rebounds. This is a great improvement compared to its release against the illini fighting in early December, where it only scored nine points and, more importantly, failed to take a single rebound.

The badgers were exceeded by eleven in this previous match, which was one of the main reasons why they lost. On Tuesday, they exceeded their rival 39-30, completely overthrowing the script.

With the dust that is established on the result, here are four key games that helped badgers withdraw the essential victory and break a five -year sequence against Illinois:

1. Three points from Max Klesmit at the end of the first half

The 2024-25 season did not take place as the senior goalkeeper Max Klesmit envisaged, at least with regard to his offensive production. Klesmit recovered from an injury during the pre-season, which could be part of the reason why he had trouble shooting basketball.

At 7:36 am from the first half, the badgers led 26-17 and had just made a good defensive stop against the Illinois goalkeeper Kylan Boswell. Klesmit raised the ball on the ground and transmitted it to Nolan Winter, who gave it to Xavier Amos, who then found Klesmit for a beautiful stallion three.

Wisconsin has talent and intangible assets to go deep in March this season. If a guy like Max Klesmit can remain hot, badgers can be a real threat to other higher seeds.

2. The pass from Jack Janicki to Xavier Amos for an easy lay-up

With 5:48 to do in the first half, the Wisconsin led Illinois 34-23. Jack Janicki raised the ball in transition and instead of slowing down the tempo, he caught Illinois to the goalkeeper and found Xavier Amos in the painting for an easy lay-up. The increased aggressiveness of Wisconsin was one of the reasons why it has improved compared to last season.

Janicki struggled at the start of Big Ten Play, but he played much better in his last games. This was specifically the case in Purdue when he scored 11 points on 3/4 shooting beyond the arc.

3. The incredible pass of Kamari McGee to John Tonje, leading to an opportunity and

Kamari McGee was ejected from the last Wisconsin game against Purdue and had to look at the second half of his iPad inside the locker room. Many expected him to have great performance on Tuesday evening because of this.

Although McGee did not have a huge match from the point of view of the box, he clearly gave all his defense and also made beautiful games offensively. His best game came with 5:05 to play in the first half, when he slipped while trying to go to the hoop. Instead of launching the ball at the perimeter, he rather waited for an open to open. In this case, it was John Tonje. Tonje caught McGee’s pass, marked the basket and pulled a fault, leading to a nice game of three points. The Wisconsin continues to make winning games like these at each end of the courtyard, which is why it has won at such a high level this season.

The room is seen below at the 0:09 brand.

4. John Blackwell is behind the rear pass at Steven Crowl for a three open

Most of the parts listed come from the first half, so there should be an inclusion which represents the high half of the Wisconsin. The most impressive game in the second setting, by far, came at 11:00 am. While John Blackwell was driving in the basket, Illinois Will Riley and Tomislav Ivisic cut him.

Blackwell, with little space to operate, had the good idea to push the ball into the perimeter, where he found an open Steven Crowl, which emptied his third three points of the night. Not only was it a great discovery, but it was behind his back and fundamentally a pass without a look. It was a fairly incredible game of the second year student who improved as a playmaker and facilitator as the season progressed.

The Wisconsin faces Oregon this Saturday at noon, 11 a.m., in what will be another match against a planned tournament team. Badgers will have another solid opportunity to add to their strong CV and increase their chance to a seeded of March Madness.

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This article originally appeared on Wire badgers: Wisconsin Basketball Illinois Game Recap Key Plays