Without a pair of key playmakers, Wisconsin basketball's thrilling 77-74 victory over Michigan State on Saturday would not have been possible.
First, star wing John Tonje scored a program Big Ten Tournament single-game record 32 points off 8-of-15 from the field, 4-of-10 from deep and 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. Tonje has served as Greg Gard's top offensive option in each of Wisconsin's tournament victories. Prior to his 32-point explosion, the Nebraska native dropped 18 points in UW's 70-63 second-round win over Northwestern and a game-best 26 points off 9-of-10 from the field and 6-of-6 from deep in its 86-70 quarterfinal victory over UCLA.