The Badgers coach spoke to reporters after his team hit 17 threes in an 83-55 victory over Nebraska Sunday at the Kohl Center.

The Badgers aren't a team that could press or apply full-court pressure, yet they still grow closer to a team that could defend at an elite level after another solid day.

University of Wisconsin men’s basketball head coach Greg Gard earned a milestone victory as the Badgers avoided a disastrous second-half collapse to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes 70-68 on Jan. 14. The Badgers started strong and took a 17-point lead into halftime.

Wisconsin’s preseason outlook, remember, was a 12th-place finish in the new 18-team Big Ten. The Badgers have already proven that outlook wrong with a 15-4 (5-3 Big Ten) start to the season and a No. 18 ranking in the current AP Poll. Predictive metrics back that up — Wisconsin ranks No. 22 in KenPom and No. 26 in the ESPN BPI.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard discussed the matchup against Essegian when meeting with the media on Friday, specifically what he’s seen from the former Badger at his new destination:

Wisconsin basketball handed Nebraska its sixth-straight loss thanks to a blistering performance from beyond the arc

The Badgers coach met with the media following an 83-55 victory over Nebraska Sunday at the Kohl Center.

Tonje dropped 27 points, 15 of which arrived in the first frame, and corralled five rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Sophomore guard John Blackwell finished with 14 points and four boards, Kamari McGee scored 11 points and nailed three three-pointers off the bench and Max Klesmit chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds.

The Badgers are playing faster and lighting up the scoreboard this season, points Greg Gard and his staff are trying to drive home to prospects.

The Badgers men's basketball coach is one victory away from becoming the fourth coach in program history to win 200 games.

The transfer by way of Colorado State and Missouri kept the energy going all afternoon. Leading Wisconsin with a team-high 27 points, including draining five of his 11 three-point attempts, Tonje again scored in double-figures. He has done so in 18 of 20 games this season for the Badgers.

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg had high praise for Wisconsin following the Badgers’ blowout win over the Cornhuskers on Sunday. Backed by 27 points from star wing John Tonje, the Badgers rolled to an 83-55 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.