Wisconsin Badgers vs Montana Grizzlies – NCAA Tournament Preview – March 20, 2025
The Wisconsin Badgers will play the Montana Grizzlies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 20 at Ball Arena in Denver. Wisconsin enters as the No. 3 seed after finishing 26-9, while Montana is the No. 14 seed with a 25-9 record. This is a rematch of their 2012 NCAA Tournament game, where Wisconsin won 73-49.
Wisconsin comes off a loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, while Montana claimed the Big Sky title by defeating Northern Colorado. Wisconsin is making its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance under Greg Gard, while Montana is in the tournament for the first time since 2019. Both teams will aim to bounce back and advance to the second round.
Wisconsin Preview – Offense Ready to Shine
Wisconsin averages 80.5 points per game, ranking among the top scoring teams in the country. John Tonje leads the team with 19.2 points per game, and John Blackwell adds 15.5 points. Supporting players like Steve Crowl, Nolan Winter, and Max Klesmit each contribute around 9 points per game, giving the Badgers multiple scoring options.
Wisconsin relies heavily on the three-point shot, attempting 28.4 threes per game. Tonje leads the team with 80 made threes, but six other players have hit 20 or more triples this season. This outside shooting threat helps the Badgers space the floor and keeps defenses stretched.
Defensively, Wisconsin allows 70.4 points per game and limits opponents to 41.4% shooting. The Badgers are disciplined on defense, ranking among the top teams in defensive rebounding and limiting second-chance points. Their experience and size will be important against Montana’s scoring threats.
Wisconsin has been strong at home this season with a 14-3 record, but they have also shown the ability to win on neutral courts. In tight games, Wisconsin’s ability to manage pace and control the glass has been a key factor in their success. Their strong free-throw shooting (73.6%) adds to their ability to close out games late.
Montana Preview – Balanced Attack Leading the Way
Montana averages 76.9 points per game and relies on a balanced scoring attack. Money Williams leads the Grizzlies with 13.3 points per game, while Malik Moore, Joe Pridgen, and Kai Johnson each average over 11 points. This balanced scoring approach has helped Montana win close games in the Big Sky Conference.
The Grizzlies shoot 50.2% from the field, which ranks among the best in the nation. Montana does not rely as heavily on three-pointers, but they shoot efficiently from deep at 36%. Their inside scoring and smart shot selection allow them to score consistently.
On defense, Montana allows 70.4 points per game and limits opponents to 41.4% shooting. They struggle to win the rebounding battle, ranking near the bottom nationally in offensive rebounds. Controlling the boards will be key to keeping Wisconsin’s offense in check.
Montana finished the regular season strong with wins in 9 of their last 10 games. Their ability to manage tempo and score in the paint will be critical in this matchup. The Grizzlies have also been efficient at the free-throw line, which could help them stay competitive late in the game.
Betting Prediction
Wisconsin enters this matchup as the clear favorite with a strong offense and solid defensive numbers. The Badgers’ experience and balanced scoring should allow them to control the tempo. Montana’s efficient scoring will test Wisconsin’s defense, but the Grizzlies may struggle with Wisconsin’s size and depth.
Wisconsin has covered the spread in 21 of their last 36 games, while Montana has covered in 17 of 33. The total is set near 148 points, and Wisconsin’s scoring pace could push the game over that mark. Expect Wisconsin to pull away late and cover the spread.
Pick: Wisconsin -8.5
Wisconsin’s experience in big moments, combined with their scoring depth and defensive ability, should be the difference. Montana will need to control tempo and limit turnovers to stay close. Wisconsin’s ability to score from multiple spots on the floor gives them an advantage in this matchup.
