Wisconsin guard John Tonje smiles after being fouled during the second half of their game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. / Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Much of the attention surrounding Wisconsin after last season focused on the players who had left for other Division I programs, after AJ Storr transferred to Kansas and three-year starting point guard Chucky Hepburn headed to Louisville.

John Blackwell and Max Klesmit combined for 27 points in the victory, walk-on guard Jack Janicki played a big role with nine points off the bench, transfer forward Xavier Amos finished with eight points with two three-pointers made and Kamari McGee continued to excel in his role off the bench.