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College basketball analysts, bracketologists and fans are all sharing their final predictions before the 2025 NCAA Tournament tips off on Thursday.
Through these public brackets, we can understand which teams are popular upset picks, which have a strong chance to make a deep run and, in the case of the Wisconsin Badgers, which are being overlooked.
ESPN's Jay Bilas, for example, has No. 3-seed Wisconsin defeating No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday afternoon, then losing to No. 6 BYU in the round of 32. If those results come to fruition, it would mark an eighth straight season without a Sweet 16 trip for the Badgers, a significant disappointment given the program's strong standing.
Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale also shared his bracket on Tuesday. He's a bit higher on the Badgers, although still doesn't see the breakthrough run that fans have been waiting a decade for.
First, Vitale has Wisconsin defeating Montana in the first round. "Badgers control the tempo and get it done," the longtime broadcaster wrote. He also has No. 11 VCU upsetting No. 6 BYU later Thursday to set up a matchup against Wisconsin in the second round. There, Vitale has the Badgers defeating VCU, moving on to their first Sweet 16 since 2017. His specific prediction: "The Badgers' veteran leadership takes over, draining clutch free throws and playing smart, disciplined basketball."
Finally, he sees Wisconsin's road ending in the second weekend with a Sweet 16 loss to No. 2 Alabama. "The Crimson Tide turn this into a track meet," Vitale wrote. "[They will run] the floor and finish at the rim with authority."
Here is Vitale's full bracket and game predictions, with Michigan State, Florida, Duke and Houston reaching the Final Four.
Entering the tournament, Wisconsin's expectation is at least a trip to the Sweet 16. The team has held a top-15 ranking nationally for much of the calendar year. It also may be peaking at the perfect time after flashing top form in a run to the Big Ten Tournament final.
It would be hard to call Wisconsin's run, and overall season, a failure if Vitale's prediction comes true and the team runs into the red-hot Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16. Anything short of a second weekend trip, however, would be a colossal disappointment.
The Badgers begin their NCAA Tournament quest on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. CT against Montana.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball NCAA Tournament prediction Dick Vitale bracket
Continue reading...
Through these public brackets, we can understand which teams are popular upset picks, which have a strong chance to make a deep run and, in the case of the Wisconsin Badgers, which are being overlooked.
ESPN's Jay Bilas, for example, has No. 3-seed Wisconsin defeating No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday afternoon, then losing to No. 6 BYU in the round of 32. If those results come to fruition, it would mark an eighth straight season without a Sweet 16 trip for the Badgers, a significant disappointment given the program's strong standing.
Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale also shared his bracket on Tuesday. He's a bit higher on the Badgers, although still doesn't see the breakthrough run that fans have been waiting a decade for.
First, Vitale has Wisconsin defeating Montana in the first round. "Badgers control the tempo and get it done," the longtime broadcaster wrote. He also has No. 11 VCU upsetting No. 6 BYU later Thursday to set up a matchup against Wisconsin in the second round. There, Vitale has the Badgers defeating VCU, moving on to their first Sweet 16 since 2017. His specific prediction: "The Badgers' veteran leadership takes over, draining clutch free throws and playing smart, disciplined basketball."
Finally, he sees Wisconsin's road ending in the second weekend with a Sweet 16 loss to No. 2 Alabama. "The Crimson Tide turn this into a track meet," Vitale wrote. "[They will run] the floor and finish at the rim with authority."
Here is Vitale's full bracket and game predictions, with Michigan State, Florida, Duke and Houston reaching the Final Four.
Entering the tournament, Wisconsin's expectation is at least a trip to the Sweet 16. The team has held a top-15 ranking nationally for much of the calendar year. It also may be peaking at the perfect time after flashing top form in a run to the Big Ten Tournament final.
It would be hard to call Wisconsin's run, and overall season, a failure if Vitale's prediction comes true and the team runs into the red-hot Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16. Anything short of a second weekend trip, however, would be a colossal disappointment.
The Badgers begin their NCAA Tournament quest on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. CT against Montana.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball NCAA Tournament prediction Dick Vitale bracket
Continue reading...
