The Wisconsin Badgers, entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed, are set to clash with the No. 14-seed Montana Grizzlies on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET. This matchup marks Wisconsin's 26th appearance in the NCAA Tournament over the past 32 seasons, highlighting their continued competitiveness on the national stage.
Wisconsin's path to this year's tournament has been underscored by ups and downs. Despite recently facing challenges, including a disappointing performance in the Big Ten Championship against Michigan, where they managed only 22.1% shooting from the field, the Badgers are poised to rebound. They are heavily favored to win against Montana, with the latest betting lines showing Wisconsin at -16.5 points and -2000 on the moneyline. Montana brings its own solid reputation as the Big Sky Tournament champions, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
John Tonje, Wisconsin's star player, has been at the forefront of their success, averaging 19.2 points per game this season, ranking fifth overall in the Big Ten. Yet, his performance against Michigan—only scoring nine points—was not typical for the significant contributor. Regardless, Tonje's earlier achievements, including scoring 32, 26, and 18 points leading up to the championship game, position him as one of the all-time greats and as a strong candidate for the All-American honors.
With his background as a junior part-time starter at Colorado State and subsequent stints at Missouri and now Wisconsin, Tonje’s basketball odyssey has made him acutely aware of the importance of this moment. "Sometimes it’s hard to believe," he stated, grappling with the recognition he has received. Many fans and analysts hope his talent will shine through against Montana, predicted to be another solid matchup for Wisconsin.
The game will take place at high altitude, 5,280 feet, which presents additional challenges, such as fatigue, especially following the physically demanding Big Ten Tournament. Despite this, many believe Wisconsin’s depth will prevail, particularly against Montana’s defense, which is ranked 250th nationally according to KenPom metrics. Montana’s offense, on the other hand, ranks 98th, but it will be tested against the Badgers’ strong defensive lineup.
Analyzing the matchup, analysts and fans alike see Wisconsin capable of improving on their recent shooting struggles, expecting them to easily surpass 80 points, considering Montana’s relative struggles on the defensive end. If the Badgers play to form, they could set up what looks like a comfortable victory, as they’re projected to win by 25 points according to some estimates.
Looking back, Wisconsin's season featured moments of brilliance, epitomized by Tonje’s career-high 41 points performance against No. 9 Arizona earlier this season. The accolades the player has received reflect his growth and importance to the team, signifying how much talent this program has. With the spotlight now on the tournament, Wisconsin seeks redemption and the continuation of its season beyond the first round.
Meanwhile, Montana hopes to defy the odds. With their championship mindset, they’ll enter the game unburdened by expectations, aiming to pull off the classic upset. For teams like Montana, the NCAA Tournament always brings the potential for surprises, and they will look to exploit any openings Wisconsin may provide.
So as the countdown to game time approaches, the energy is palpable. This matchup between the Badgers and Grizzlies has all the ingredients for excitement, tension, and potential drama, highlighting the unpredictable nature of March Madness. Tune in on TNT at 1:30 PM ET this Thursday to see how it all plays out and whether Wisconsin can assert their dominance or if Montana will steal the show.
Check back here for post-game analysis and coverage, and as always, enjoy the thrilling ride of NCAA Tournament basketball!
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