University of Wisconsin men's basketball star guard John Tonje is making an early season case to be in consideration for Big Ten Player of the Year.
The graduate guard, who joined Wisconsin via transfer from Missouri this offseason, was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second straight week Monday. Tonje is the first Wisconsin player to win Big Ten Player of the Week awards in back-to-back weeks since former star forward Ethan Happ secured the honor in three straight weeks of November during the 2018-19 season.
Tonje's 33 points, including 25 on 9-of-11 shooting from the field in the second half, against Pittsburgh helped the No. 15 Badgers top Pittsburgh 81-75 in the Greenbrier Tip-Off championship game Sunday at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
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The early season tournament named Tonje its Most Valuable Player, joining fellow guard John Blackwell on the all-tournament team. Tonge averaged 22.3 points on 52.6% shooting from the field and 95.8% shooting from the free-throw line in Wisconsin's three wins last week.
The Badgers are 7-0 for the first time since the 2014-15 season. That team advanced to the program's second straight Final Four then the national championship game.
Tonje, who leads Wisconsin with 23 points per game this season, notching his second 30-plus point performance Sunday after he tallied a career-high 41 points against then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15 to lead Wisconsin to a stunning win and earn his first Big Ten Player of the Week.
In addition to some elite shotmaking down the stretch Sunday, Tonje remained the best player in the country at scoring at the free-throw line. As his offense struggled to get going in the first half against the Panthers, Tonje drew fouls and eventually hit 10 of 10 shots at the line in the game. He leads the country with 60 made free throws this season. He only has missed three attempts.
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball takes on Pittsburgh for Greenbrier Tip-Off title
Wisconsin's John Blackwell drives past Pittsburgh's Ishmael Leggett during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Wisconsin's Steven Crowl puts a shot up over Pittsburgh's Guillermo Graham during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Wisconsin's John Tonje looks to pass during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Pittsburgh's Zach Austin dunks over the Wisconsin defense during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Wisconsin's John Tonje drives past Pittsburgh's Zach Austin during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Wisconsin's John Tonje goes for an offensive rebound as Pittsburgh's Brandin Cummings grabs the ball during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Wisconsin's John Tonje goes up for a layup as Pittsburgh's Jorge Graham tries to block his shot during the first half Sunday in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
