The University of Wisconsin men’s basketball team had a chance to secure a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament next week. But the opportunity slipped through the Badgers' fingers Saturday afternoon amid a rough offensive performance.
Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball hosts Penn State in final home game of regular season
Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) defends Penn State guard D’Marco Dunn (2) as he drives to the paint on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) celebrates after three-pointer on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) celebrates after a three-pointer on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin players watch as Penn State guard Nick Kern Jr. (3) dishes a pass on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) puts up a floater on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) gets under the basket for a layup attempt on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Xavier Amos (13) pulls down a rebound on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) checks in for the last regular season home game of his career as a Badger on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers forward Carter Gilmore (7) hugs Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard during Senior Day ceremonies on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) waves to the crowd during Senior Day ceremonies on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin guard John Tonje's family gets excited during Senior Day ceremonies on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Penn State forward Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) jumps to catch a lob for a dunk on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Camren Hunter (3) jumps for a layup against Penn State on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) drives along the baseline against Penn State guard Freddie Dilione V (4) on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard watches play on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) shoots a three-pointer on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Badgers guard John Tonje buries his face in a towel after checking out during the final seconds of the Badgers' loss to Penn State on Saturday at Kohl Center in Madison. The defeat provided a valid concern for how Wisconsin will perform in tournament play.Â
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Wisconsin Badgers guard Jack Janicki (33) falls out-of-bounds while chasing the ball on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin defenders try and trap Penn State guard Ace Baldwin Jr. (1) on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wi.
The Badgers' worst loss of the regular season — and another key injury — are valid concerns as Greg Gard and his team prepare for tournament play.