Things weren't supposed to end this way for the Wisconsin Badgers. After a tremendous regular season and a trip to the Big Ten Tournament title game, it seemed like Wisconsin had a great chance to push for a trip to the Final Four.
However, that's not going to happen. On Saturday night, Wisconsin fell to BYU in heartbreaking fashion. John Tonje was remarkable in this one, scoring 37 points. However, his attempt to tie the game before the buzzer never had a chance.
It was a questionable play design coming out of a timeout. As you might have been able to guess, people couldn't believe it was what Greg Gard drew up coming out of a timeout. From the moment the clock hit zero, people have been letting Gard have it on social media.
Wisconsin fans are not happy with Greg Gard following the loss to BYU
Before the season even got started, let's keep in mind that Wisconsin was projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten. The Badgers were able to turn a lot of heads, with Tonje and John Blackwell leading the way. However, this team entered the tournament with a ton of confidence and a second-round loss after a first-round exit in 2024 was not what anyone envisioned. Gard entered the season on the hot seat, but his job is surely safe now, right? Don't tell that to livid UW supporters:
Fire Greg Gard please.
— Forman (@TheForman__) March 23, 2025
Greg Gard remade his roster, changed his offense, racked up points and wins and yet…
— Greg McManus (@gregmclnk) March 23, 2025
Greg Gard is actually what Matt Painter gets accused of being.
Another classic Wisconsin sports team moment.
— Matthew Dux (@MatthewDux) March 23, 2025
Greg Gard hasn’t gotten out of the 2nd round since 2017. #badgers
Can we please move on from Gard? I’m so tired of constantly underachieving. Our fanbase truly deserves better than this @Evan_Flood
— Greg Jones (@thrillinoise) March 23, 2025
Greg Gard is a joke. That's what you drew up?
— Fair and Square (@maizewings) March 23, 2025
Fire Greg Gard.
— anthony🛩️ (@happyjetsfan_) March 23, 2025
No Sweet 16s for nine years after making it in six out of the previous seven years.
And totally wasted an all-time season by John Tonje.
So horrible.
That was one of the worst sets I’ve ever seen a run out of a timeout. Greg Gard will always Greg Gard in the end.
— West Pine Bills (@WestPineBills) March 23, 2025
Fire Greg Gard for the good of the program
— Vedran (@DarthLogicus) March 23, 2025
There are plenty more posts that have been fired up. In the first half, BYU dominated play and their zone threw off the Wisconsin offense. Plain and simple, Gard was outcoached in the first 20 minutes. In the second half, though, the Badgers kept chipping away and the adjustments made at halftime by Gard paid off. You've got to give him credit for that.
In the end, however, the Cougars were able to make the necessary plays late and the Badgers didn't. This is a loss that's going to sting for a long time. Tonje has nothing to hold his head about, as he was brilliant. Gard indeed made those key adjustments, but what's going to haunt him is that they came way too late.