On Thursday, the Montana Grizzlies (25-9) face off against the Wisconsin Badgers (26-9) in the first round of the March Madness Championship in the East Region. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Wisconsin comes into this matchup on a one-game losing streak, but has won three of their last five games. In the Big Ten Championship, Wisconsin faced a tough challenge, losing 59-53 to Michigan. Despite the loss, John Blackwell shone for the Badgers, contributing 18 points. This season, John Tonje has been the standout performer for Wisconsin, leading the team with an average of 19.5 points per game. Blackwell ranks as the second-highest scorer, maintaining an average of 15.4 points per game. On the boards, Nolan Winter is at the forefront, grabbing an average of 5.9 rebounds each game. Max Clesmit, on the other hand, leads the team's playmaking efforts, dishing out an average of 2.7 assists per contest. Wisconsin has scored an average of 72.2 points over their last five matchups. As they prepare to face Montana in the first round of the March Madness tournament, the Badgers aim to secure a crucial win. Throughout the season, they have been averaging 80.5 points per game, highlighting their offensive prowess.

Montana enters this game on a four-game winning streak and has won four of their last five games. In a hard-fought 91-83 victory against Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Championship, Kai Johnson shone brightly for the Grizzlies, delivering an impressive 23 points. Throughout the season, Money Williams has been Montana's top scorer, maintaining an average of 13.3 points per game. Trailing close behind, Malik Moore contributes 12.8 points on average. On the boards, Joe Pridgen stands out as Montana's leading rebounder, averaging 6.9 rebounds per game this season. Additionally, Money Williams leads the team in distributing the ball, with an average of 3.1 assists. Over their last five games, Montana has been prolific on the offensive end, averaging 80.4 points. Looking ahead, the Grizzlies face a daunting challenge in their upcoming first-round matchup against Wisconsin in the March Madness tournament, where they'll rely heavily on their offensive capabilities to secure the upset. On the season, Montana averages 75.5 points per game, showcasing a solid offensive strength.

NHL Best Bets and Odds for March 5, 2025