James Madison – Page 2 – Syndication Server

James Madison F T.J. Bickerstaff gives Wisconsin bulletin-board material ahead of NCAA Tournament matchup

Wisconsin basketball begins its NCAA Tournament quest Friday night against No. 12 seed James Madison.

The Badgers ride momentum from a 3-1 week at the Big Ten Tournament into the tournament. The team is playing its best basketball of the season after a forgettable 3-8 stretch that largely coincided with the month of February.

Greg Gard’s program enters mired in a seven-year Sweet 16 drought. Two wins in Brooklyn, New York, would go a long way toward the public perception entering 2024-25.

James Madison, meanwhile, has become a popular upset pick by fans and analysts. The Dukes enter with a 31-3 record and riding a 13-game win streak.

While the team hasn’t played a tough schedule, it is one of the nation’s hottest entering the tournament.

Wisconsin should have plenty of reason to show up Friday night despite a tiring week at the Big Ten Tournament. If the team needed a chip on its shoulder, James Madison forward T.J. Bickerstaff may have provided it when he called Wisconsin “a really good matchup for us.”

JMU’s TJ Bickerstaff asked about Wisconsin:

“I think it’s a really good matchup for us.”

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) March 21, 2024

Bickerstaff is one of the Dukes’ leaders, averaging 13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. What he and his team do not have, however, is height. James Madison’s tallest player is 6 feet, 9 inches — the same height as Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl.

The Dukes do not have a matchup for Steven Crowl or for Nolan Winter off the bench. Maybe Bickerstaff believes that will give his team an athleticism advantage or the ability to find winning matchups, but his comments may turn into fuel for the Badgers entering the contest.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith sees an early exit for Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament

Agree with Stephen A. Smith’s bracket?

ESPN host and well-known sports talker Stephen A. Smith released his NCAA Tournament bracket on Wednesday evening.

He curiously picked a Final Four of No. 1 seed UConn, No. 1 North Carolina, No. 1 Purdue and … No. 9 Texas A&M. All chalk and a pick completely out of left field.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

He has the Aggies upsetting the South Region’s No. 1 Houston, No. 4 Duke and No. 3 Kentucky en route to the Final Four.

As you may have guessed, Duke in Smith’s Sweet 16 means Wisconsin did not advance far. Not only does he not have Wisconsin advancing to its first Sweet 16 in seven years, Stephen A. has the Badgers losing to James Madison in the round of 64:

Stephen A’s bracket! #MarchMadness

Texas A&M ➡️ Final Four
Grand Canyon and New Mexico in the Sweet 16 👀
James Madison > Wisconsin 😤 pic.twitter.com/ad3EYheCV8

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 20, 2024

That result would be a colossal disappointment for Badgers fans after the team’s hot run in the Big Ten Tournament and high expectations entering the matchup.

Wisconsin and James Madison tip off their NCAA Tournament quests Friday night in Brooklyn, New York.

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Wisconsin Basketball: Statistical history of No. 5 vs. No. 12 seeds in the NCAA Tournament

Is Wisconsin on upset alert against James Madison?

The 12-seed vs. 5-seed matchup has emerged as one of the more interesting March Madness matchups since the tournament expanded in 1985.

There have been 12 upsets in No. 12 vs No. 5 games since 2014. The most recent arrived in 2022 when New Mexico State defeated UConn 70-63.

Wisconsin enters this year’s tournament as a No. 5 seed with a first-round matchup against James Madison. Although the Badgers are favored by 5.5 points, the history behind 12-5 matches in March Madness cannot be understated.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

In 2019, the Badgers dropped their opening game of the tournament to No. 12 Oregon 72-54. The same year, future NBA All-Star Ja Morant dropped a triple-double for 12-seeded Murray State en route to a 83-64 victory over 5-seed Marquette.

Here is a quick overview of all the essentials you need to know for the iconic 12-5 matchup. It doesn’t mean great things for the Badgers.

Facts:

Since 1985, 12-seeds have defeated 5-seeds 53 times. Ahead of 2024’s tournament, the lower seed boasted a 53-99 mark (34.87 win percentage)
In 32 of the last 38 years, the 12-seed stole at least one first round game.
Other 12-5 games featuring Wisconsin:
- 2009: Wisconsin defeats No. 5 Florida State 61-59
- 2013: Ole Miss defeats No. 5 Wisconsin 57-46

All-time seed-seed records: first round

1 vs. 16: 150-2
2 vs. 15: 141-11
3 vs. 14: 130-22
4 vs. 13: 120-32
6 vs. 11: 94-58
7 vs. 10: 92-59
8 vs 9: 74-78

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How to watch Wisconsin basketball vs James Madison Dukes in NCAA Tournament round of 64

Wisconsin basketball opens its 2024 NCAA Tournament with a tough first-round matchup against No. 12-seed James Madison on Friday.

JMU has been a trendy upset pick since the brackets were released. We at Badgers Wire disagree with that notion, and instead see a comfortable Wisconsin victory. Las Vegas agrees with that sentiment and has the Badgers as sizable favorites entering the contest.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

Up next for Wisconsin, if it is to beat James Madison, would be a battle with the winner of No. 4 Duke and No. 13 Vermont with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. Badgers fans do not like the team’s draw, but certainly enjoy the thought of defeating Duke on the way to a deep run.

Greg Gard’s team will need to take care of James Madison before any of that becomes a possibility.

Here is how to watch Friday night’s contest:

Date: Friday, March 22, 2024
Opponent: No. 12 James Madison
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET, 8:40 p.m. CT
TV Channel: CBS, Paramount+ (stream)

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

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Wisconsin Badgers vs. James Madison Dukes: Preview and prediction for NCAA Tournament round of 64

What’s your prediction for Wisconsin vs. James Madison?

Wisconsin basketball opens its 2024 NCAA Tournament against No. 12-seed James Madison on Friday night in Brooklyn, New York.

The Badgers enter the tournament with momentum after a 3-1 week at the Big Ten Tournament. The team had fallen to a postseason afterthought after a rough 3-8 stretch since the start of February. But wins over Maryland, Northwestern and top-ranked Purdue have fans believing entering March Madness.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

James Madison is a popular upset pick by some of the college basketball media and a group of television analysts. Wisconsin enters as a heavy favorite, but many nationally have bought into James Madison’s hot-streak entering the tournament.

With the game now fast-approaching, it’s time to put an official preview and prediction on the record:

Wisconsin: 75.1 points per game, 69.9 points allowed per game, 3-6 vs Top 25, BPI No. 18, 11-9 in conference play

James Madison: 84.4 points per game, 69.2 points allowed per game, 1-0 vs Top 25, BPI No. 46, 15-3 in conference play

Wisconsin:

A.J. Storr (16.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game).
Chucky Hepburn (9.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game)
Steven Crowl (11.2 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game)

James Madison:

Terrence Edwards (17.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game)
T.J. Bickerstaff (13.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game)

Wisconsin: W vs. Marquette, L vs. Arizona, 1-2 vs. Purdue, 2-0 vs. Michigan State, 0-2 vs. Illinois

James Madison: W vs. Michigan State, 0-2 vs. Appalachian State, W vs. Kent State, W vs. Southern Illinois, W vs. Louisiana

Wisconsin: No. 17 overall, No. 13 offense, No. 47 defense, No. 3 strength of schedule

James Madison: No. 59 overall, No. 56 offense, No. 79 defense, No. 293 strength of schedule

Spread: Wisconsin -5.5 (-215) / James Madison +5.5 (+176)

Total: 145.5

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

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From ESPN: “At least one No. 12 seed has defeated a No. 5 seed in 32 of 38 tournaments. Three of the six times that 12-seeds failed to win a first-round game have occurred in the past eight tourneys.”

Wisconsin has the size advantage over James Madison and should use it early and often. Expect hot starts from Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl as the Badgers finally get a team without a top interior presence.

This week of rest should also help the Badgers after a busy week in Minneapolis, plus should help John Blackwell recover from his leg injury.

Yes, James Madison is red-hot, having won 13 straight and 16 of 17. But Wisconsin’s guard of Storr, Hepburn, Klesmit and Blackwell positions the team well entering the matchup. And the Badgers enter off their most impressive week of the season.

Many national analysts are picking the Dukes. I disagree completely and see Wisconsin moving on in blowout fashion.

Prediction: Wisconsin 78, James Madison 67

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi sees an early exit for Wisconsin basketball in 2024 NCAA Tournament

Are the Badgers on upset alert against James Madison?

It’s time to add ESPN ace college basketball bracketologist Joe Lunardi to the group that sees an early exit for Wisconsin basketball in March Madness.

Lunardi gave his full NCAA Tournament preview Tuesday morning, previewing all 68 teams and picking each team’s fate.

His power ranking for the Badgers includes the No. 18 ‘eye test rank,’ No. 16 resume rating and No. 19 overall seed in the tournament.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

The prediction, which Badgers fans are sure to disagree with: a first-round loss to No. 12-seed James Madison.

Here’s Lunardi’s rationale:

“March Madness is a guard-centric tournament and the Badgers have a quartet of quality ones in [A.J.] Storr, [Max] Klesmit, Chucky Hepburn and John Blackwell. But to cure the Badgers’ seven-year itch without a Sweet 16 trip, they must play much stickier defense — especially the aforementioned guards. I see Madison’s maddening March trend continuing with an early defeat against the other (James) Madison.”

We at Badgers Wire aren’t buying into James Madison as the automatic upset pick over the Badgers. Countless college basketball experts and television analysts have picked the Dukes, a curious trend after Wisconsin’s resurgent week at the Big Ten Tournament.

Lunardi’s point may be true, however. Illinois’ 93-point outburst on Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament final is worth monitoring as the James Madison game begins. Wisconsin will need to score at the same clip as it did, but also find more success on the defensive end.

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Announcing crew revealed for Wisconsin vs. James Madison in NCAA Tournament round of 64

Announcing crew revealed for Wisconsin vs James Madison in NCAA Tournament Round of 64

Wisconsin basketball begins its NCAA Tournament quest with a tough first-round matchup against No. 12 seed James Madison.

The game is set to tip off at 9:40 p.m. Eastern, 8:40 p.m. Central and will be televised on CBS.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

Thanks to USA TODAY’s recent list, we now know the announcing crew for the NCAA Tournament round of 64 contest:

Play-by-play: Ian Eagle

Analyst: Bill Raftery

Analyst: Grant Hill

Sideline Reporter: Tracy Wolfson

It is the same crew from Wisconsin’s last two Big Ten Tournament games. It is also CBS’ new No. 1 trio with Jim Nantz retiring from calling college basketball after the 2023 Final Four.

For more preview of Friday’s game:

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Wisconsin opens as sizable betting favorite over No. 12 seed James Madison in NCAA Tournament round of 64

Thoughts on the opening betting line of Wisconsin vs James Madison?

Wisconsin basketball opens as a 5.5-point betting favorite over No. 12 seed James Madison in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 64.

The Badgers enter the tournament having won three of four during the Big Ten Tournament — a blowout win over a top-70 Maryland team, a comfortable win over Northwestern without point guard Chucky Hepburn, an electrifying upset of Purdue and a narrow loss to Illinois.

James Madison enters even hotter. The Dukes have won their last 13 games and 16 of 17 dating to mid-January. The team finished No. 59 in KenPom’s ratings, but Badgers fans are still unhappy with the tough draw.

The contest, which tips at 9:40 p.m. Eastern on Friday in Brooklyn, New York, should be a true test of whether Greg Gard’s team is a true contender. A win and Wisconsin looks to be one of the more dangerous teams in the tournament. A loss, and it’s another disappointing postseason for a Gard-coached team.

Wisconsin being a 5.5-point favorite is a bit of a surprise, especially if you ask the CBS college basketball panel. James Madison seems to be a popular upset pick among the public.

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

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Wisconsin a No. 5 seed in NCAA Tournament, will play Sun Belt champion

Thoughts on Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament draw?

The Wisconsin Badgers are a No. 5 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament and drew a first-round showdown with Sun Belt champion James Madison.

The Badgers fell, 93-87, to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament final on Sunday. The team is back to playing the basketball that propelled it to No. 6 in the national polls in late January, but the Dukes are a tough first-round draw.

James Madison is KenPom’s 59th-ranked team in the nation with the No. 56 offense and No. 79 defense. The team is on an absolute heater, having won its last 13 contests and 16 of its last 17.

The game is set for Friday in Brooklyn, New York. The winner will face the winner between No. 4 Duke-No. 13 Vermont.

First look at the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket SOUTH Region, where Houston is the No. 1 seed: pic.twitter.com/zpLtoTAlqE

— Kyle Boone (@kyletheboone) March 17, 2024

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Fans on social media more content after Diamond Hogs start with a ‘W’

Arkansas fans find some relief with baseball’s 6-3 opening-day win.

With the football and baseball seasons seemingly going down thew tubes, Arkansas fans have high hopes for the No. 3 Diamond Hogs to rally the fan fan base.

After a first-inning hiccup that had the Razorbacks down 3-0 in their season-opener against James Madison Friday afternoon, the bats began to heat up in a 6-4 victory over the Dukes.

Arkansas All-American lefty Hagen Smith showed some first-game jitters, walking a pair of batters, before surrendering a three-run homer to JMU’s Fenwick Trimble.

But the Arkansas crowd didn’t have to wait long to begin Calling the Hogs, as they plated two runs in each of the first three innings, to take a 6-3 lead. The real celebration began after sophomore Gage Wood sat down the Dukes in order in the ninth inning.

The Hogs are now 21-1 in opening-day games under Head Coach Dave Van Horn.

The two teams are slated to play three more games in as many day, beginning Saturday at 2 p.m.

Here is some of the chatter on X, following the baseball season-opener: