In addition to the legacy and stakes of the I-94 Rivalry -- an annual in-state showdown that's been played since 2009 -- Saturday's matchup between Wisconsin and Marquette was the first time both team's were ranked in the AP Top 25. Both 8-1 and fresh off a loss, the contest served as an opportunity to right the ship and collect a resume win, along with some bragging rights.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Golden Eagles pulled away in the second half to claim a 14-point victory. Kam Jones led Marquette's offensive attack, scoring 32 points with six assists and four steals while each of David Joplin, Chase Ross and Stevie Mitchell also scored in double figures.
Max Klesmit, who entered Fiserv Forum having made three of his last 21 three-pointers and shooting 25 percent from distance on the year, drilled six of his 11 attempts from range for a team-high 22 points. John Blackwell added 17 points and three assists and John Tonje supplied 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting. Blackwell and Tonje combined for nine turnovers, a category the Badgers lost 16-5 overall.
Three-point shooting offsets Badgers turnovers
Marquette applied constant on-ball pressure, throwing the Badgers' screen-heavy offense out of rhythm and forcing Wisconsin's guards to create off the dribble. Although nine of the Badgers 11 made baskets in the first half came off assists, it took time for Wisconsin's offense to adjust. Marquette forced five turnovers during the first 10 minutes -- more than half of Wisconsin's per-game average of 9.3.
Yet, the Badgers trailed just 18-15 halfway through the first period. 12 of Wisconsin's 15 points came from three-point land, with KIesmit hitting his first two three-pointers while Carter Gilmore and Tonje also found nylon from distance.
Wisconsin would end the first half with eight total turnovers -- including multiple shot clock violations -- while forcing four Golden Eagles turnovers. However, the Badgers went 6-for-16 from three-point land while Marquette shot 3-of-11.
No first-half separation
Neither team lead by more than five points in the first half, which featured 18 lead changes. Wisconsin seemingly had a chance to get some breathing room, forcing Jones to the bench with 7:09 left after he committed his second personal foul. Marquette led 20-19, with Jones accounting for 11 of the team's points.
Marquette's other guards stepped up while Jones sat and were outscored by only three during the almost five minutes sans Jones. David Joplin and Caedin Hamilton each made a basket, while Stevie Mitchell ignited the Fiserv Forum crowd with a deep three-pointer. The Golden Eagles' push offset six straight points from John Tonje, keeping Marquette within striking distance at halftime when the Badgers led 39-37.
Momentum shifts after Tonje's third personal foul
Tonje saw only three minutes of second-half action before being sent to the sidelines, committing an offensive foul -- his third -- by wrapping his arm around the defender on a drive to the basket.
Marquette pounced on the opportunity, going on a 16-5 run and taking control of the contest. Wisconsin's offense struggled to find open looks with Tonje off the floor, though a trio of turnovers didn't do the Badgers any favors. It was 61-53 when Tonje checked back in with 11:18 to play. The Golden Eagles went plus-nine against the Tonje-less Badgers.
Marquette doesn't slow down
While the reintegration of Tonje helped the Badgers offense, it didn't offer any assistance on the defensive end. Marquette scored on seven of its next eight possessions, pushing the difference into double figures and providing ample answers to Wisconsin's comeback efforts to close out the win.
The Takeaway
Wisconsin plainly wasn't good enough on either end Saturday. It's difficult to overcome 16 turnovers in any game, much less against a top five opponent on the road. The turnover issues can't just be chalked up as a fluke, though. The Badgers need to get more from its auxiliary playmakers. Blackwell struggled to create with Tonje off the floor in the second half, forcing players like Gilmore, Janicki and Klesmit into on-ball roles they didn't seem comfortable with. Saturday's loss showed how reliant the Badgers have been on Tonje this season, and may have given a blueprint for other teams to attack WIsconsin's offense.
Marquette's guards got downhill with ease in the second half, and the Badgers defense was slow to rotate and help. The Badgers allowed Marquette to shot 50 percent from the field and they surrendered 51 points in the second half. They'll need to be better on that end in order to reach their ceiling
The Badgers will be back in action Tuesday at Illinois for their second conference game of the 2024-25 campaign.