Lucky No.13 seeds are 9-5 ATS in past 14 games vs No. 4 seeds and Montana is in line to continue that trend as a 10-point underdog against Wisconsin in the East region Thursday.
March Madness Picks: Wisconsin Vs. Montana
The Grizzlies have won 20 of their last 21 games and come in as the champions of the Big Sky Conference. Wisconsin meanwhile plays in the tournament for the 14th consecutive year.
”It looks like the Badgers will win, but the scores engine doesn’t think they will cover the spread,” said Mike Pickett of OddsShark.com.
(13) Montana (25-6)
(4) Wisconsin (24-9) 2:10 p.m. EST
Predicted Score : 73-71 Badgers
Pick: Montana +10
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Wisconsin’s No. 263-ranked offense, averaging 63.9 PPG, against a Grizzlies defense that ranks No. 47 at 61.7 PPG. The Badgers field goal percentage has averaged 42.4 percent so far, less than the Grizzlies marksmen have achieved on the year, 46.5 percent per game.
Defensively, Montana features the nation’s No. 56-rated defense on the road, allowing 64.3 points per game. Wisconsin, meanwhile, comes in at No. 262 nationally in scoring at home.
Montana was an 85-66 winner in their most recent outing at home against Weber State. They covered the 4.5-point spread as favorites. Kareem Jamar scored 23 points leading the Grizzlies to an 85-66 victory over Weber State at Dahlberg Arena on Wednesday.
In their last action, Wisconsin was a 65-52 loser on the road against Michigan State. They failed to cover the four-point spread as underdogs. Jordan Taylor scored 19 points in a futile effort to lead the Badgers to a win (they lost 65-52 to Michigan State at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday).
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stay with SB Nation’s Selection Sunday StoryStream, and stick around SB Nation’s NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket, and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.
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