INDIANAPOLIS – The Wisconsin men's basketball team is geared up for another exhilarating NCAA Tournament run, having secured the No. 3 seed for the East Region. The Badgers will face the No. 14 seeded Montana Grizzlies on Thursday, March 20, at Ball Arena, located in Denver, Colorado. This matchup marks the first time Wisconsin will play at this venue during the NCAA Tournament.
Wisconsin, now making its 28th appearance in the Big Dance, has consistently demonstrated its strength throughout the seasons. They are one of only five schools to qualify for 24 of the last 26 NCAA tournaments. Under the leadership of head coach Greg Gard, the Badgers hold a formidable NCAA tournament record of 40 wins and 26 losses, with notable achievements including four Final Four appearances and ten Sweet 16 berths.
The Badgers earned their competitive seeding after demonstrating significant prowess at the recent Big Ten Tournament, where they overcame formidable opponents like the Northwestern Wildcats, the UCLA Bruins, and the Michigan State Spartans before falling to the Michigan Wolverines in the championship game. Key victories against UCLA and Michigan State secured Wisconsin valuable Quad 1 wins, enhancing their tournament resume and solidifying their third seed status.
Wisconsin's upcoming opponent, Montana, enters as the Big Sky Conference Tournament champion and boasts a strong record of 25-9 overall. The Grizzlies' path to the NCAA Tournament has been impressive, with their latest successful streak leading to their first NCAA bid since 2019.
This marks the second time the Badgers will face Montana in the Tournament; their previous encounter was during the 2012 NCAA Tournament, where Wisconsin decisively won 73-49 as the No. 4 seed. Historically, Wisconsin has triumphed over the Grizzlies three times, holding a 3-0 all-time record against them.
Following the first-round games on March 20, the winner of the Wisconsin versus Montana matchup will face the victor of the contest between No. 6 seed BYU and No. 11 seed VCU on Sunday, March 23. This potential second-round game adds another layer of excitement as the tournament progresses.
All 2024 donors to Wisconsin Athletics and current men's basketball season ticket holders have the opportunity to request tickets to both the first and second rounds until 1:00 PM CT on Monday, March 17. Student ticket holders are also invited to make requests by the same deadline.
The anticipation builds as the Wisconsin Badgers look to replicate their previous successes and advance deep within this year's tournament. With impressive wins behind them and substantial experience, they could potentially make their mark once more as they attempt to reach their fifth Final Four and strive for their second national championship.
Fans are encouraged to support the Badgers as they take on Montana, with live updates and highlights available for tracking the action during the game. Wisconsin's remarkable track record and resilience make them formidable contenders once again.