• Wisconsin defeated Montana 85-66 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• The Badgers were led by John Blackwell’s 19 points and Steven Crowl’s 18 points.
• Wisconsin will face the winner of the BYU and VCU game in the second round.
• The Badgers shot 55.4% from the field and 73% from inside the arc.
• Montana struggled to keep up with Wisconsin’s size and depth in the frontcourt.

Wisconsin began its 2025 NCAA Tournament with an 85-66 victory over No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday afternoon.

After a back-and-forth first frame, the No. 3-seed Badgers led by just eight at halftime. They controlled the game for much of the first frame. Timely shooting from Montana, led by guard Kai Johnson, kept the team within single-digits entering intermission.

The same script followed for the second half. Wisconsin held an advantage throughout, though didn’t create significant separation until midway through the frame. A Xavier Amos three-pointer with 9:44 left extended the Badgers’ lead to 16 points. Although Montana attempted to get back in the game, Wisconsin’s offensive efficiency and free-throw shooting eliminated the Grizzlies’ upset chances.

Wisconsin now moves on to a second-round matchup against the winner of No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU. That game is set for Saturday, the time still to be determined.

With Wisconsin’s first-round win over Montana now complete, here is a look back at the game’s highlights and defining moments:

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POSTGAME: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s first-round win over Montana

Xavier Amos played his best game as a Badger — The transfer forward finished with 11 points, one off a season-high, to go along with four rebounds and two blocks. Wisconsin had a clear size advantage over Montana, one that led to the team’s front-court arguably deciding the contest. Amos played key minutes in the first half as Montana stuck around. Then in the second frame, the reserve forward delivered several timely baskets to help ice the win. His emergence could become a major story moving forward. It would further strengthen Wisconsin’s terrific reserve unit.

Wisconsin took care of business — This takeaway may seem clear. But the Badgers coasted to a stress-free NCAA Tournament win, a reality that should not be taken for granted. The team was not fazed by a lack of rest, cross-country travel, or playing at elevation. Any of those could have been easy excuses for another postseason let-down. Instead, the Badgers triumphed decisively.

The Badgers didn’t need offensive dominance from John Tonje — John Blackwell’s game-high 19 points off 7-of-10 shooting from inside the three-point line proved decisive. His aggression ensured Montana couldn’t spark a major run, in addition to getting two of the Grizzlies’ stars into foul trouble.

Wisconsin won with Tonje attempting only five field goals, two of which he made. He finished with 15 points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal and two blocks. A 9-of-9 clip from the free-throw line was a big reason for his solid game. The Badgers become a dangerous team when Tonje doesn’t have to carry the load offensively. Going forward, the less he has to do, the better.

FINAL: Wisconsin 85, Montana 66

The final minutes of action became a formality. Wisconsin triumphed 85-66, thanks to John Blackwell’s 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals on 7-of-12 shooting, Steven Crowl’s 18 points, four rebounds and two assists, John Tonje’s 15 points and Xavier Amos’ 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

The Badgers shot 55.4% from the floor, plus a whopping 73% from inside the three-point arc. They proved to be the better team in every facet as the game continued. That was especially seen with the size and depth of Wisconsin’s front court. Crowl, Amos and Carter Gilmore were key in keeping Montana from staging a second-half comeback.

John Blackwell ices the win — Wisconsin 79, Montana 62 (2:32 2H)

Wisconsin’s lead was stuck at 12 for an extended period, during which Montana missed a few chances to cut it to single digits. That occurred as the Badgers went ice-cold shooting from deep. Steven Crowl ended that streak with a nifty post move and layup. After Carter Gilmore added one point from the free-throw line, John Blackwell effectively iced the game, slashing inside for another layup. Blackwell is up to 19 points on 7-of-12 from the floor, plus 7-of-10 from inside the three-point line. Wisconsin’s dominance on the interior will define a lopsided final margin.

Badgers controlling the game from the free-throw line — Wisconsin 74, Montana 59 (6:01 2H)

Wisconsin has scored its last six points at the free-throw line (four from John Tonje, two from John Blackwell). It’s now in the double bonus for the final 6:00 of game time. Although Montana has held strong, its upset chances are quickly dwindling.

Xavier Amos with the early dagger? — Wisconsin 68, Montana 52 (9:44 2H)

Xavier Amos is playing one of his best games as a Wisconsin Badger, now up to 11 points, three rebounds and two blocks on 5-of-8 shooting. His three-pointer with 9:44 left extended the Badgers’ lead to 16. That advantage may prove insurmountable, especially if Montana loses either Johnson or Pridgen.

Montana stars in foul trouble — Wisconsin 61, Montana 50 (11:35 2H)

Montana leading starters Joe Pridgen (10 points, four rebounds) and Kai Johnson (14 points on 4-of-5 from three) each have four fouls. The two have created most of the Grizzlies’ offense thus far. Johnson leads that effort with red-hot three-point shooting. Montana can’t afford to lose either, now down 11 with under 12 minutes remaining. Wisconsin, one of the best free-throw-shooting teams of all time, is also in the bonus for the last 12 minutes.

Gilmore, Nolan Winter lead Wisconsin run — Wisconsin 59, Montana 47 (12:38 2H)

Gilmore continued his hot stretch of play with a made jump shot on Wisconsin’s next possession. Nolan Winter then made his first three-pointer of the game, putting the Badgers on an 8-0 run over the last 2:30 of game time. Gilmore, Winter and strong defense are leading that effort.

Big-shot Carter Gilmore — Wisconsin 54, Montana 47 (14:50 2H)

Montana made another run to cut the Badgers’ lead back to four at 51-47. Carter Gilmore provided an answer, drilling a three-pointer. That was Wisconsin’s first long-range make of the half, snapping an extended dry spell dating back to the first half. Next, Gilmore took a charge on Montana star forward Joe Pridgen, handing him his fourth foul. Gilmore’s one-minute stretch could very well become the turning point Wisconsin needed.

Wisconsin excelling at the rim, not from deep — Wisconsin 49, Montana 40 (16:40 2H)

Wisconsin is just 4-of-13 (30.8%) from three-point range, while it is a whopping 16-of-24 (66.6%) from inside the arc. John Blackwell is on a mini-run, with an and-one layup, a made free throw and a baseline jump shot in a short time. That pushed the Badgers lead back up to nine points, responding to a Montana scoring surge.

Montana makes its move — Wisconsin 42, Montana 38 (18:00 2H)

Montana began the second half with some defensive aggression, doubling John Tonje and adding some full-court pressure to John Blackwell. After a Montana layup started the half, Nolan Winter missed a pair of free-throws, keeping the margin at 40-36. Montana then added another layup, continuing to add pressure to the No. 3-seed Badgers. Steven Crowl provided a much-needed answer, extending Wisconsin’s lead back to six. Still, Montana is making this a game.

HALFTIME: Wisconsin 40, Montana 32

Wisconsin, which led by as many as 11 points, entered halftime with an eight-point advantage. Montana shot well from deep in order to keep the margin close. The Badgers out-rebounded Grizzlies 21-to-16, plus scored 20 points in the paint to the Grizzlies’ 14. Wisconsin was a few open three-point shots from creating a significant margin.

Steven Crowl leads the Badgers with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 2-of-3 from three. John Blackwell, John Tonje and Xavier Amos are next with eight, seven and six points, respectively. The story of the half was the Badgers’ steady play, yet inability to create significant separation. They will need a decisive run early in the second half to eliminate Montana’s upset chances.

Montana staying alive with hot three-point shooting — Wisconsin 40, Montana 30 (1:00 1H)

The Grizzlies are 5-of-11 (45.5%) from three with just a minute left before halftime. Timely makes from deep are the only thing keeping Montana in the game. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is 4-of-12 from deep. If those numbers switch, Montana will have a tough time staying attached.

Xavier Amos continues strong play — Wisconsin 36, Montana 27 (3:00 1H)

Amos nailed a baseline jump shot and recorded another strong block. He’s up to six points, three rebounds and two blocks, giving Greg Gard a valuable depth option in the frontcourt. Steven Crowl leads the way with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while John Blackwell and John Tonje have tallied eight and seven points, respectively. The Badgers are beginning to control the matchup offensively.

Badgers starting to heat up — Wisconsin 27, Montana 20 (6:54 1H)

Wisconsin is now 3-of-8 from three after John Tonje and Steven Crowl added makes on two straight possessions. Montana is hanging in offensively, shooting 3-of-7 from three, led by guard Kai Johnson. The Grizzlies will need to find consistent stops for them to have any chance at an upset.

Xavier Amos for early game MVP — Wisconsin 21, Montana 13 (10:04 1H)

Amos has continued his terrific start to the contest, now with four points, three rebounds and a block in just a few minutes of action. His play is the primary reason for the Badgers’ early eight-point advantage.

John Tonje gets going — Wisconsin 18, Montana 13 (11:11 1H)

Tonje sent Wisconsin into the under-12-minute timeout with momentum, drilling an and-one three-pointer. It’s his first basket of the game, with the free throw still to follow. Importantly, it is also Wisconsin’s first three-point make of the contest.

Big boost from bench forward Xavier Amos — Wisconsin 15, Montana 13 (11:00 1H)

Xavier Amos made an immediate impact after entering the game. He scored a quick layup, grabbed three rebounds and recorded an impressive block. His minutes have coincided with the Badgers beginning to find a rhythm.

John Tonje quiet through first seven minutes — Wisconsin 11, Montana 10 (12:40 1H)

Wisconsin star John Tonje is scoreless through the first seven minutes of game time, having attempted just one shot. That follows his quiet showing in Wisconsin’s Big Ten Tournament title loss to Michigan. It’s something to monitor as the game continues.

Badgers stall offensively — Wisconsin 9, Montana 7 (13:55 1H)

The Badgers are struggling to find a rhythm offensively. They’re just two of their last 7 from the floor and 0-of-3 from three-point range. They also have two preventable turnovers. Montana is one of KenPom’s lowest-ranked defensive teams in the country. Wisconsin will need to find its offensive rhythm sooner rather than later.

Wisconsin big men start strong — Wisconsin 5, Montana 5 (17:39 1H)

The Badgers started with a post touch for Steven Crowl, who converted an easy layup. Two trips later, Nolan Winter converted an and-one while crashing to the rim. Wisconsin will look to excel in the paint against a small Montana lineup.

What channel is Wisconsin-Montana NCAA Tournament game? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: TNT

Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. CT

Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament game vs. Montana can also be heard on the Badger Radio Network.

Where to watch Wisconsin-Montana game on livestream

The game will be available via streaming on the TNT app.

Watch Wisconsin vs. Montana live on Sling TV

Wisconsin vs. Montana predictions, picks, odds

Wisconsin shouldn’t have any trouble advancing to Saturday’s second round. The team has a decisive advantage in nearly every statistical category. Barring another program-worst shooting performance, as seen in the Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan, the Badgers should earn a comfortable win.

Prediction: Wisconsin 87, Montana 62

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

ODDS: Wisconsin favored by 17 1/2

O/U: 151 1/2

Wisconsin NCAA Tournament East Region bracket, results, TV schedule

• No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Montana — 1:30 p.m. ET on TNT (Thursday)
• No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 VCU — 4:05 p.m. ET on TNT (Thursday)
• No. 8 Baylor vs. No. 9 Mississippi State — 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS (Friday)
• No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 15 Robert Morris — 12:40 p.m. ET on truTV (Friday)
• No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 American/Mount Saint Mary’s — 2:50 p.m. on CBS (Friday)
• No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt — 3:15 p.m. ET on truTV (Friday)
• No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Akron — 7:30 p.m. ET on truTV (Friday)
• No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 Liberty — 10:10 p.m. ET on truTV (Friday)

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