MSU Can’t Overcome Tonje Outburst, Fall Short of Big Ten Title Sweep

**Gainbridge Fieldhouse–Indianapolis, IN**

John Tonje was a star Saturday and MSU had no answer as Tonje carried Wisconsin and weathered a few Spartan second-half runs only to regain the lead and stand tall in the end, 77-74.

Tonje finished with 32 points (8-15 FG, 4-10 3-pt, 12-14 FTs) with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Teammate John Blackwell had 14 points (4-11 FG, 5-7 FTs), 3 rebounds, 2 assists and only 2 turnovers. The only other Badger in double figures was reserve Carter Gilmore in 30 minutes had 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3-pt), 5 rebounds and 5 assists along with 3 blocks.

WISCONSIN ENDS NO. 7 MICHIGAN STATE’S WIN STREAK AND ADVANCES TO THE BIG TEN TITLE GAME 🦡 pic.twitter.com/1RuCTo7OcA

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 15, 2025

MSU had foul issues from the first minute with Jase Richardson picking up his first within the first 30 seconds and picked a second not too far later, riding the bench for a large chunk of the first half. Joining him in the first was Jaxon Kohler, who picked up his 3rd earlier the 2nd half as well. Richardson led MSU with 21 points (5-10 FG, 4-5 3-pt, 7-7 FTs) with 7 rebounds and 1 block in 31 minutes. The forward were nowhere to be seen in the first half as they collectively had less than 5 points and only a few rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr had 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-4 FTs) with 3 rebounds, 6 assists but also had foul issues in 26 minutes and had the ball the final two possessions and didn’t do much with it. Jaden Akins was effectively silenced and managed only 8 shots with 4 fouls, finishing with a paltry 6 points. Kohler finished with 7 points, 7 rebounds in 16 minutes. Carson Cooper came alive in the second half and chipped in 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists in 28 minutes. Tre Holloman had 10 points (3-12 FG, 1-5 3-pt, 3-4 FT) on another ugly shooting stretch and picking up a selfish technical foul that sparked the Badgers to a lead that they would build on after a key MSU run to take the lead.

Wisconsin plays UofM for the Big Ten Tournament title ahead of Selection Sunday release.

There are lessons from the loss to Wisconsin that could prove beneficial down the line for MSU, but only if the Spartans are able to absorb themhttps://t.co/W4ClNguY2v

— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) March 16, 2025

MARCH MADNESS- MSU seems destined for a 2 seed line now that they’re not playing Sunday. I expect the committee to essentially penalize them and put them with Auburn as many projections have been out since mid-week. They have struggled as of late but still pose a complete team who have been enduring one of the toughest schedules in the country (as has Alabama and Florida) as the SEC is expected to get 2, 1-seeds with Duke and Houston as locks. Duke could even be the overall #1 and prefer the East region. I believe MSU should get a 2-seed Midwest/East but historically speaking, they have not been kind to the Spartans when not on the 1 line, constantly putting in ACC/SEC roadblocks despite successful seasons. St. Johns, Tennessee and Clemson are all viable 2-seed line options for the comittee.

Full region breakdown, snubs and round 1 matchup to follow after the field is announced.

TEAM STATS:

Spartans: 24-59 FG (40.7%), 7-19, 3-PT (36.8%), 19-24 FT (79.2%)

Badgers: 23-54 FG (42.6%), 9-29, 3-PT (31.0%), 15-18 FT (83.3%)

Record/Rankings & More:

27-6 (17-3, 1st-Big Ten) Rankings: #8 AP / #7 Coaches Poll

Updated KenPom- Off: 29th / Def: 5th. Adjusted Tempo: 144th. SOS Net Rtg: 27th +13.29

Updated Bart Torvik- ADJOE: 39th/ADJDE: 5th / EFF.FGD%: 46.1 (12th) / ORBD %: 35.3 (31st) & DRBD %: 24.6 (8th)

Other Metrics: KPI (6th), ESPN SoR (8th), ESPN BPI (11th), WAB (6th), T-Rank: 12th — #20 in FT % (78.1%), #11 in FTM/game (17.5)/ #34 in FTA/game (22.4)

FULL KenPom Stats: https://kenpom.com/index.php

FULL Bart Torvik Stats: https://barttorvik.com/#

FULL Warren Nolan Stats: https://www.warrennolan.com/basketball/2025/net-teamsheets-plus#google_vignette

FULL Team Rankings Stats: https://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/team/michigan-st-spartans/stats