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NCAA Tournament Predictions: 4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Montana
- Updated: March 12, 2012
By: Kels Dayton
4 Wisconsin (24-9, 12-6 Big Ten)- The Badgers are led by senior point guard Jordan Taylor, who averages 14.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Taylor is a great decision maker and one of the nation’s best leaders. Junior forward Ryan Evans (10.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) will also play a huge role in how far the Badgers advance.
Guard Jordan Taylor (AP Photo)
Senior guard Rob Wilson, who averages just 4 points per game, shocked everyone by going for 30 against Indiana in the Big Ten quarterfinals. If he can do that again, there’s no telling how far Wisconsin can go.
This is a typical Bo Ryan-coached team. Wisconsin plays great defense, controls the tempo and limits the number of possessions the opposing team has on offense. The Badgers led the nation in points allowed per game and field goal percentage.
KEY STATS:
1st Points Allowed per game (52.1)
1st Assists Allowed per game (8.0)
6th Field Goal Percentage Against (38.3)
Team stats courtesy of www.statsheet.com and www.bbstate.com.
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13 Montana (25-6, 15-1 Big Sky)-Montana has won a school-record 14 straight games and shut the nation’s second-leading scorer in Damian Lillard and Weber State out of the NCAA Tournament. The Grizzlies, who have won 20 of 21, pasted Weber State, 54-30 in the second half of their Big Sky title game.
Guard Kareem Jamar (The Grizzly Journal)
Montana is led by a trio of big-time playmakers, including leading scorer Will Cherry (16.0 ppg). 6-5 guard Kareem Jamar will be another key focus for the Wisconsin defense because of his quickness and offensive versatility. Jamar averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season.
This will be a terrific game because Montana is used to winning and has players who won’t shy away from the limelight. The Grizzlies knocked off a tough Weber State team twice down the stretch of the season, and will come into the tournament playing their best basketball.
KEY STATS:
14 Consecutive wins
112th Points per game (70.6)
9th Field Goal Percentage (49.1)
PREDICTION: Montana
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