NCAA Tournament: Wisconsin Faces Montana in First Round Clash

DENVER, Colo. — The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament kicked off today as the No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers went head-to-head against the No. 14 seed Montana Grizzlies at the Ball Arena, with tip-off set for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Both teams entered the contest with a keen sense of urgency; winning this game would advance them to the second round of the prestigious tournament. Wisconsin brings a season record of 25-9, while Montana entered with a 13-18 record.

Early highlights from the first half included a three-point jumper from Wisconsin’s Malik Moore, assisted by Money Williams, putting the Badgers ahead early at 13-10. John Blackwell countered with a layup for Montana shortly after, showcasing the competitive edge of both teams.

As the first half progressed, momentum fluctuated with turnovers affecting both squads, as Montana struggled to find their rhythm on the offensive end. Statistics at the halfway mark showed a significant disparity: Wisconsin boasted a field goal percentage of 38.5%, while Montana faced challenges with only 25%.

In terms of rebounding, Montana was outmatched, recording only 22 total rebounds against Wisconsin’s 31, an indicator of their struggles to control the game.

As the tournament continues, Nebraska and USC will also participate in a new 16-team College Basketball Crown, showcasing a growing interest in collegiate basketball this spring. The NCAA Tournament is set to air across networks such as CBS Sports, TBS, TNT, and truTV, providing fans with ample opportunities to follow their teams.

Michigan, which is another notable contender in the tournament, recently secured their third Big Ten Tournament championship with a narrow win against Wisconsin. Their success in the conference led them to gain an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament.

As the tournament unfolds, each game will prove crucial, with teams vying for supremacy on the national stage. Fans eagerly await the outcomes of subsequent matches as the competition intensifies.