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.

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

The score would seesaw until veteran guard Kamari McGee, who scored 10 points off the bench, canned a three-pointer to push Wisconsin ahead 65-62. Tonje would follow with a layup on the ensuing possession, and the Badgers did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game.