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WISCONSIN MEN'S BASKETBALL

'Delusional belief' leads stunning rise for Wisconsin men's basketball's surprise star

Michael McCleary
Nov 21, 2024
Nov 21, 2024 Updated May 22, 2025

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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots a three-pointer on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL

OWEN ZILIAK,STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers guards John Tonje, front, and Max Klesmit (11) react to a three-point shot by teammate Jack Robison (2) late in the second half of the team’s win against Appalachian State at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) drives against the defense of Appalachian State Mountaineers guard Jackson Threadgill (0) during the second half of a game between the teams at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

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Michael McCleary

About 10 hours before John Tonje lifted the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team to an upset, he met with his skills trainer, Hunter Longacre, for a workout on the Kohl Center floor.

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Arizona Wisconsin Basketball — Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (25) celebrates a basket with Wisconsin guard John Tonje (9) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Kayla Wolf

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Wisconsin guard John Tonje, right, poses with his younger brother, Malcolm, holding up a sheet of paper with "41" written on it following a 41-point effort against No. 9 Arizona on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Michael McCleary

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Badgers guard John Tonje poses in the locker room with his mother, Sara, following the Wisconsin men's basketball's win over Arizona on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Michael McCleary

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