Wisconsin vs Montana prediction, picks for 2025 NCAA Tournament first round
It's Wisconsin vs Montana in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time.
The 2025 NCAA Tournament is here, folks.
Thursday's first round continues featuring a matchup between Wisconsin and Montana in the East Region.
The Wisconsin Badgers finished the 2024-25 season with a 26-9 record, good for fourth in the Big Ten. That earned them a No. 3 seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Montana Grizzlies, finished tied for first in the Big Sky with a 25-9 record, and a conference tournament win earned them an automatic bid and the No. 14 seed in the Big Dance.
Wisconsin ranks as the 13th-best team in the KenPom rankings, sporting the 13th-best offense and 27th-best defense. Meanwhile, Montana ranks 157th overall, possessing the 98th-ranked offense and 250th-ranked defense.
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Without further ado, here's our Wisconsin vs. Montana picks and predictions.
Wisconsin vs. Montana picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: Wisconsin
- Paul Myerberg: Wisconsin
- Erick Smith: Wisconsin
- Eddie Timanus: Wisconsin
- Dan Wolken: Wisconsin
- Craig Meyer: Wisconsin 86, Montana 72
- Mark Stewart: Wisconsin 82, Montana 65
It's a clean sweep. None of our experts have this contest turning into an upset. Craig Meyer and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Mark Stewart both have Montana covering the 17.5-point spread, but they differ on the total. Meyer has the game going over the 151.5-point total, while Stewart has the game coming in under it.
Watch Wisconsin vs. Montana on Sling TV
Wisconsin vs. Montana date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20
- Game Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Ball Arena in Denver
- TV Channel: TNT
- Live Stream: Sling TV - Watch Now!
Wisconsin vs. Montana odds
Odds as of Tuesday, March 18 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Wisconsin -17.5 (-115)
- Moneyline Favorite: Wisconsin -2500
- Moneyline Underdog: Montana +1050
- Total: 151.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
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- High Point vs Purdue prediction, picks
- Montana vs Wisconsin prediction, picks
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