Madison, WI - The stage was set for the Wisconsin Badgers as they prepared to tackle the hurdles of the NCAA Tournament following their loss to the Michigan Wolverines. The Badgers fell 59-53 to Michigan on March 16, 2025, during the Big Ten Tournament championship game, marking their worst shooting performance in at least 15 seasons. Unable to shake off the disappointment immediately after the championship game, Wisconsin faced the NCAA selection committee barely moments later.
With the March Madness bracket revealed, the Badgers celebrated receiving their highest seed since 2022, landing as the No. 3 seed in the East Region. They are set to face off against the No. 14 seed Montana Grizzlies at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. central time on TNT.
Wisconsin managed only 22.1% shooting against Michigan, converting just 15 of their 68 field goal attempts, including making only seven of 39 from beyond the arc. This dismal effort contrasted sharply with their impressive statistics leading up to the final game, where they were shooting 46% from the field and averaging 80 points. Their offensive struggles, compounded by competing for four consecutive days, were evident as head coach Greg Gard assessed his squad's performance.
Post-game, Gard stated, "I couldn’t ask any more from our guys and how hard they played... Other than we needed to knock down a few more shots." This sentiment echoed through the Badgers’ camp, where frustration met determination as they prepared for the challenge of Denver.
Interestingly, instead of being seeded at the Milwaukee site which would have been only about an hour's drive from campus, Wisconsin found themselves traveling 956 miles to Denver. They were pitted against the Grizzlies, who boast impressive momentum heading to the tournament. Montana clinched the Big Sky Conference title and is making its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance, having not secured a victory since 2006. With their leading scorer, Money Williams, averaging 13.3 points per game, they have established themselves as formidable competitors.
But Wisconsin isn’t without their own strengths and storylines. The Badgers’ John Tonje, who had previously averaged 25 points over the three games leading to the championship, struggled mightily against Michigan, sinking just one of 14 attempts.
"I wanted to give Tonje credit as he is known for making bad shots... but he missed nearly everything. Those are trails any player faces during tournaments. The key now is having the right mindset to rebound," Gard said during his post-game interview. Despite losing, the coach emphasized the importance of the team's grit and resilience, stating, "We’ve got our teeth back defensively. We’ve got our bite back." Gard remained upbeat, indicating the Badgers’ readiness to learn from their harsh reality.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, come off a 14-1 finish to their season and are not to be underestimated. They reputedly rank No. 2 nationally with a .502 field goal percentage, sharply contrasting Wisconsin’s .460 ranking. Coach Dusty May hailed his staff for their excellent scouting report on the Badgers, which he believes could prove pivotal.
“Our guys’ attention to detail was impressive. I thought we challenged every shot. I thought we fought and battled,” May remarked, highlighting the team’s sharpness during preparations for the game.
Wisconsin's second-round aspirations hinge not only on their ability to shake off their prior game but also on effectively preparing for the altitude change they will face as they play at 5,280 feet above sea level. The adjustment may present yet another challenge for the players who just fought four days straight.
The bracket also outlines other matches, such as No. 6 BYU, taking on No. 11 VCU, with the winner gearing up for the chance to compete against the victor of the Wisconsin-Grizzlies matchup. Fans everywhere will have their eyes on the tip-off of this electrifying contest on March 20 at Ball Arena.
The Badgers have their path forward clearly mapped out: win and play again on Saturday, March 22, progressing to the Sweet Sixteen slated for March 27 and the Elite Eight possibility on March 29, held at Prudential Center, Newark. Gard’s optimism remains unwavering as he reflects on past tournaments, stating, “You’ve got to be connected, and you’ve got to play your rear end off.”
While much pressure lies on the shoulders of both teams, the Wisconsin Badgers head to Denver brimming with ambition and resolve to convert hard lessons from their previous clash with the Wolverines. Now, with the NCAA's spotlight on them, they anticipate the opening game against Montana, eager to make their voices heard once again on the national basketball stage.
They are determined to turn the tables, leaving the disappointments of the Big Ten Tournament behind as they aim for redemption in March Madness.
