Who's the most popular man in Madison right now? It surely isn't Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell. Nope, the honor goes to men's hoops star John Tonje, who is looking like one of the best players in the Big Ten thus far this season.
Thanks to his great play, Wisconsin is 8-0 on the year and the team was able to capture the Greenbrier Tip-Off championship after taking down Pitt on Sunday. The Panthers were up at halftime, but the Badgers stormed back in the second half to post an 81-75 victory.
In that W, Tonje once again was superb with the ball in his hands, scoring a game-high 33 points. With the pressure on him, No. 9 delivered. It's hard to believe this is his first campaign with the squad, as he's becoming a fan favorite already. His popularity only grew after the final whistle, with him sending a special message to Badgers supporters everywhere:
Blessed to be here!! Great team win, On Wisconsin❤️ thank you to all the fans who traveled to give us a home game feel🔴⚪️ https://t.co/NUMn4Jwvsq
— John Tonje (@johntonje1) November 25, 2024
Wisconsin star John Tonje was electric in the win over Pitt
You've got to love seeing that from Tonje. The stands were packed with people showing Wisconsin love, which the players noticed and appreciated. It fueled Wisconsin to fight back in the second half and post another convincing win.
Greg Gard and Co. are on a roll this year, with the offense looking strong. Not only that, but key plays on defense are being recorded too. Did anyone think Wisconsin would be 8-0 to start the year, including a win over then No. 9 Arizona?
There are still plenty of doubters, but it's time to jump on the bandwagon if you haven't done so already. Wisconsin is looking like the real deal and this group is just getting started. Tonje is leading the way, operating at an incredible level. This kid knows what it means to represent Wisconsin too, which is making his hot start all the more special for everyone to enjoy.