In an electrifying display of basketball, the No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers effortlessly defeated the No. 14 seed Montana Grizzlies 85-66, propelling themselves into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers showcased their prowess on both ends of the court, capitalizing on their size advantage to deliver a commanding performance.

1. Mastery Inside the Arc

From the opening tip, it was evident that the Badgers intended to dominate the paint. They shot an impressive 72 percent from inside the arc, making 60 percent of their attempts during the first half. Wisconsin racked up a staggering 20 points in the paint, aided by their dominant rebounding that led to critical second-chance opportunities.

Steven Crowl was a standout performer, scoring 10 points in the first half and showcasing versatility with two successful three-point shots. Other contributors included John Blackwell, who was relentless in attacking the rim, netting eight points—all inside the arc—while Nolan Winter and Xavier Amos added crucial baskets that maintained the offensive momentum.

Though the second half saw the Badgers attempting more three-pointers, their efficiency inside continued, shooting 12 for 13 in the paint and drawing a significant number of fouls to command 16 free throw attempts down the stretch. This relentless focus on attacking the rim underlined their strategy, which proved to be overwhelmingly effective against the Grizzlies.

2. Offensive Balance is Key

One of the hallmarks of Wisconsin's victory was their balanced offensive output, reflected in a staggering shooting percentage of 55.4 from the field. Five players scored in double figures, underscoring a well-distributed offensive attack that is rare in tournament play.

John Blackwell led the charge with 19 points, demonstrating efficiency by maintaining a 58 percent conversion rate from the field. Meanwhile, Steven Crowl effectively leveraged his size against smaller defenders, contributing 18 points. John Tonje was also instrumental, with solid three-point shooting and flawless free throw shooting for a total of 15 points.

Off the bench, Xavier Amos provided a spark with 11 points, while Nolan Winter effectively scored 10 points, helping maintain the Badgers' steamrolling momentum. The collective effort not only reflected Wisconsin’s depth but also fortified their standing as potential title contenders.

3. Defensive Fortitude

Wisconsin’s defense demonstrated marked improvement, limiting Montana to a mere 39.7 percent shooting from the field and a dismal 29.2 percent from beyond the arc. The Badgers clamped down in the second half, allowing only two three-pointers out of 13 attempts from the Grizzlies, showcasing their ability to intensify pressure when it mattered most.

Despite conceding nine offensive rebounds, Wisconsin thrived on minimizing the impact, allowing only seven second-chance points for Montana. The defense exhibited robust rim protection with six blocks, primarily attributed to key players John Tonje and Carter Gilmore, who each contributed two blocks.

As the Badgers continue their march through the tournament, their combination of inside scoring efficiency, balanced offensive contributions, and fortified defense presents a formidable challenge for any opponents they encounter. Focus now shifts to their next match against the winner of the BYU Cougars vs. VCU Rams game, where Wisconsin will look to build upon this momentum and inch closer to their ultimate goal: winning the NCAA Championship.