Wisconsin’s men’s basketball team kicked off its NCAA tournament run in style, defeating Montana 85-66 at Ball Arena on Thursday. The Badgers’ balanced effort was marked by their overall depth and strong defense.
Coach Greg Gard praised the team’s performance, saying, “We’re just happy to be moving on. We think we can play even better.” The win was fueled by contributions from players across the bench, which has been a strength of the team all season.
Five Badgers scored in double figures for the first time since February 15, with Steven Crowl setting a program single-game NCAA tournament record with 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting. John Blackwell added 19 points, while John Tonje drew seven fouls and hit nine free throws.
The team’s defense played a crucial role in securing the win, cutting off Montana’s driving lanes and holding them to just 30.4% shooting in the second half. Coach Gard credited the guards and bigs for having “a little bit more bite” and shutting down their opponents.
With this win, Wisconsin moves on to face BYU on Saturday, looking to build momentum heading into its next game. The team’s balanced effort and strong defense suggest a promising NCAA tournament run.
Source: https://eu.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2025/03/20/wisconsins-baskeball-balance-pays-off-in-ncaa-tournament-win-over-montana/82533677007