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Final stats, analysis: Balanced Wisconsin moves on in NCAA Tournament

Five players reach double figures as Wisconsin secures easy win in NCAA Tournament opener

Dana Becker

John Tonje and Wisconsin take on Montana in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
John Tonje and Wisconsin take on Montana in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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It is time for the madness, as Wisconsin meets Montana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Set for a 12:30 p.m. CST tip from Denver, Colorado, the game will air live on TNT and stream on via March Madness Live. 

After making a run to the finals of the Big Ten Conference Tournament, the Badgers (26-9) will look to put together an even deeper run over the next several weeks. 

John Tonje, an All-American, leads the way for Wisconsin at 19.2 points per game, shooting over 46 percent from the field. John Blackwell provides a tremendous second option for the Badgers along with Nolan Winter and Max Klesmit.

Montana (25-9) is led by Money Williams, who averages 13 points and three assists a game. Joe Pridgen is the top rebounder for the Grizzlies at almost seven per game, including two on the offensive glass.

The winner between Wisconsin and Montana faces either BYU or VCU in the second round on Saturday.

Check out our live updates and in-game analysis of Wisconsin vs. Montana in the NCAA Tournament below:

(Refresh for the latest updates)

Final Stats, Analysis

For the 18th time this season, Wisconsin surpasses 80 points in a game, as the balanced attack was way too much for Montana. Five different players hit double figures, as John Blackwell scored a game-high 19 with Steven Crowl adding 18. John Tonje, the leading scorer, made himself available for constant double teams, finishing with 15.

Nolan Winter, who scored 10, also had six rebounds. Tonje added four rebounds, two blocks and a steal while Carter Gilmore had eight points and six rebounds off the bench. Xavier Amos, who scored 11, also had four boards and two blocks.

For Montana, leading scorer Money Williams was held to just 2 of 8 shooting and eight points. Both Kai Johnson and Tejon Sawyer scored 15 to lead the way for the Grizzlies, who had the deficit down to four in the second half.

Live Second Half Updates

Final score: Wisconsin 85, Montana 66

Wisconsin 79, Montana 62, 2:32 left in half: The Badgers are headed to the second round and a date with either BYU or VCU on Saturday. Wisconsin didn’t have to show much in this one, as the defense held the Grizzlies to just 40 percent shooting from the field while putting together a strong day on the glass.

Wisconsin 72, Montana 57, 7:47 left in half: This one isn’t quite over yet, but it is getting very, very close. Five different Badger players have reached double figures led by 15 from John Blackwell. John Tonje is up to 13, going 7-for-7 at the free throw line, while Nolan Winter has 10 and six rebounds with an assist, a steal and a blocked shot.

All Bucky! Another triple from Wisconsin and they are putting it on Montana, holding a 68-52 lead with just under 10 to play. The Badgers have sank seven triples in this game from five different players. 

Big Ten moves to 1-0! The conference gets off to a strong start with Purdue holding off High Point in what many considered a potential early round upset. The Big Ten will be well represented over the first two days, and going forward if this keeps up.

Wisconsin 61, Montana 50, 11:35 left in half: Trouble time for Grizzlies, as two starters have four fouls each and they trail by 11 as we hit the under-12 timeout. Great time for Wisconsin to put this game away early and get some rest for Saturday.

Wisconsin 59, Montana 47, 12:38 left in half: Some breathing room for the Badgers, as Nolan Winter sinks a big 3-pointer and the Badgers have their biggest advantage of the game. Winter, Steven Crowl and John Blackwell all in double figures.

Wisconsin 54, Montana 47, 14:36 left in half: The Grizzlies have some serious foul trouble, as Joe Pridgen picks up his fourth and Kai Johnson has three. Those two have a combined 21 points and five rebounds with three 3-pointers. Nobody but Carter Gilmore with more than two fouls for the Badgers, as John Blackwell has a game-high 13. Wisconsin has blocked six shots so far.

Badgers in a battle! Well, this is the NCAA Tournament so expect the unexpected. Wisconsin leads 54-47 but Montana had it down to just four before a big Carter Gilmore 3-pointer as we go under 15 to play.

Money finally scores: Montana’s leading scorer, Money Williams, has his first points, knocking down two free throws with 17:00 to play as Wisconsin leads 47-40. 

Halftime Stats, Analysis

No fatigue or trouble adjusting to the higher elevation for Wisconsin through the opening 20 minutes, as they have used size and toughness to take a 40-32 lead on Montana in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

The lead reached as many as 11 as the Badgers hold a plus-8 edge on points in the paint and are plus-5 on the glass. Steven Crowl with 10 points to lead the way as John Blackwell has eight and John Tonje seven. Both Crowl and Tonje have two 3-pointers each, with Xavier Amos adding six points, three rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

For the Grizzlies, leading scorer Money Williams has been held scoreless, attempting just one field goal. Tejon Sawyer and Kai Johnson both have eight for Montana, who has hit 5 of 11 from the 3-point line.

Live First Half Updates

Halftime score: Wisconsin 40, Montana 32

Winter is coming! Nolan Winter with a big 3-pointer and Wisconsin has its biggest lead of the day at 38-27 as we go under two minutes before the half. The Badgers are taking advantage of their size on the glass and ability to hit from deep.

Wisconsin 34, Montana 27, 3:07 left in half: Steven Crowl is the first to double figures, knocking down 4 of 6 from the field as the Badgers are 14-for-27 from the field with four 3-pointers - two of which Crowl has hit. 

Wisconsin 27, Montana 20, 6:54 to go in half: Pretty entertaining opening 10-plus minutes of NCAA Tournament action, as the Badgers hold the lead thanks to a plus-5 rebounding advantage and a 16-8 edge in points in the paint. John Tonje and Steven Crowl both have seven points, with Tonje knocking down two 3-pointers. Money Williams has been held scoreless so far for the Grizzlies.

Four-point play by John Tonje: What a way to get in the scoring column, as Wisconsin senior standout John Tonje completes a four-point play. Wisconsin holds a 21-13 lead.

Tonje answers! We head to the under-12 timeout with John Tonje finally on the board, and the chance to complete a four-point play after draining a 3-pointer. Money Williams with the foul and Tonje can add to the 18-13 Wisconsin lead with 11:11 to play in the half.

Aggressive Grizz: Montana is attacking this Badger defense that has had troubles this year at times. Money Williams and Brandon Whitney are both very strong guards who have no issue taking it into the teeth of the Wisconsin bigs. 

Wisconsin 9, Montana 5, 15:50 left in half: Four different Badgers have scored while leading scorer John Tonje has been more of a decoy in the early stages. Baskets from Nolan Winter, Steven Crowl, John Blackwell and Kamari McGee off the bench give Wisconsin the early lead.

First March Madness bucket! The first points of the NCAA Tournament come off a Steven Crowl basket for the Badgers on the opening possession.

Live Pregame Updates

Wisconsin is a 16.5-point favorite to knock the Grizzlies out and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers lost just once this past season against non-Big Ten teams, going 6-4 in the last 10.

Montana, meanwhile, has won nine of its last 10, averaging 78 points per game. The Grizzlies, winners of the Big Sky Conference, went 3-1 in games decided by less than four points.

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Dana Becker
DANA BECKER

Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in north-central Iowa.

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