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The Wisconsin Badgers made a strong Big Ten Tournament run, with big wins over UCLA and Michigan State before an eventual title game loss to Michigan. Since the Big Ten Tournament is over and the NCAA Tournament brackets are out, it's time to shift focus to the Big Dance itself.
Wisconsin didn't get a favorable draw, even as a No. 3 seed. It was set to Denver, Colorado, instead of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, plus has to play on Thursday morning instead of Friday. That extra travel and limited rest could play a factor after the team played four games in as many days during the conference tournament.
Wisconsin drew No. 14-seed Montana as its first-round opponent, which it should match up well against. However, the team's potential second-round game is no cakewalk, as the team will face either red-hot No. 6-seed BYU or No. 11 VCU, a strong mid-major team. Either way, Wisconsin will not have the easy path to the Sweet Sixteen that fans may have hoped for.
With the first round fast approaching, here is Wisconsin's floor, ceiling, and most likely outcome in the 2025 NCAA Tournament:
As mentioned, the Badgers match up well against the Montana Grizzlies, giving them a very good chance of advancing past the first round. However, the team's second-round matchup should be a lot more difficult. Both of the possible opponents have been playing terrific basketball as of late.
Wisconsin showed on Sunday that a bad three-point shooting performance could hurt its offensive ceiling and overall level of play. If that performance repeats itself, the Badgers could easily lose in the second round to either the Cougars or Rams.
A lot would have to go right for the Badgers to make their first Final Four since 2015. It would have to get past Alabama, which may be without forward Grant Nelson, who injured himself in the SEC Tournament. Next, Wisconsin would need a top-tier performance against Duke in the Elite Eight. Blue Devils' star forward Cooper Flagg is working back from an ankle strain suffered during the ACC Tournament. Like with Alabama, Wisconsin may need the star to not be at full strength.
A Final Four run isn't likely. But if Wisconsin plays at its absolute best and gets some good breaks, it could happen.
Wisconsin's most likely outcome in the NCAA Tournament is a first-round win over Montana, second-round win over BYU/VCU, then a Sweet 16 loss to Alabama. BYU has been streaky this season. If Wisconsin can catch it on a bad shooting day, that game could turn into a fairly easy win. The same thought applies to VCU, which is less offensive-minded than the Cougars.
Overall, head coach Greg Gard has arguably the most talented team of his tenure and the program's best overall group since it made consecutive Final Fours in 2014 and 2015. Gard is 6-6 in the tournament since taking over as head coach in 2015-16. His team is just 2-4 in the event since Sweet 16 trips in 2016 and 2017. He is long overdue for a deep run -- a postseason where his team reaches its ceiling.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball March Madness tournament prediction, preview
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Wisconsin didn't get a favorable draw, even as a No. 3 seed. It was set to Denver, Colorado, instead of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, plus has to play on Thursday morning instead of Friday. That extra travel and limited rest could play a factor after the team played four games in as many days during the conference tournament.
Wisconsin drew No. 14-seed Montana as its first-round opponent, which it should match up well against. However, the team's potential second-round game is no cakewalk, as the team will face either red-hot No. 6-seed BYU or No. 11 VCU, a strong mid-major team. Either way, Wisconsin will not have the easy path to the Sweet Sixteen that fans may have hoped for.
With the first round fast approaching, here is Wisconsin's floor, ceiling, and most likely outcome in the 2025 NCAA Tournament:
Floor: Second-round loss to BYU or VCU
As mentioned, the Badgers match up well against the Montana Grizzlies, giving them a very good chance of advancing past the first round. However, the team's second-round matchup should be a lot more difficult. Both of the possible opponents have been playing terrific basketball as of late.
Wisconsin showed on Sunday that a bad three-point shooting performance could hurt its offensive ceiling and overall level of play. If that performance repeats itself, the Badgers could easily lose in the second round to either the Cougars or Rams.
Ceiling: Final Four loss to Midwest regional champion
A lot would have to go right for the Badgers to make their first Final Four since 2015. It would have to get past Alabama, which may be without forward Grant Nelson, who injured himself in the SEC Tournament. Next, Wisconsin would need a top-tier performance against Duke in the Elite Eight. Blue Devils' star forward Cooper Flagg is working back from an ankle strain suffered during the ACC Tournament. Like with Alabama, Wisconsin may need the star to not be at full strength.
A Final Four run isn't likely. But if Wisconsin plays at its absolute best and gets some good breaks, it could happen.
Most Likely Outcome: Sweet 16 loss to Alabama
Wisconsin's most likely outcome in the NCAA Tournament is a first-round win over Montana, second-round win over BYU/VCU, then a Sweet 16 loss to Alabama. BYU has been streaky this season. If Wisconsin can catch it on a bad shooting day, that game could turn into a fairly easy win. The same thought applies to VCU, which is less offensive-minded than the Cougars.
Overall, head coach Greg Gard has arguably the most talented team of his tenure and the program's best overall group since it made consecutive Final Fours in 2014 and 2015. Gard is 6-6 in the tournament since taking over as head coach in 2015-16. His team is just 2-4 in the event since Sweet 16 trips in 2016 and 2017. He is long overdue for a deep run -- a postseason where his team reaches its ceiling.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Get your Brackets for 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball March Madness tournament prediction, preview
Continue reading...
