Wisconsin basketball NCAA Tournament prediction Dick Vitale bracket

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College basketball analysts, bracketologists and fans are all sharing their final predictions before the 2025 NCAA Tournament tips off on Thursday.

Through these public brackets, we can understand which teams are popular upset picks, which have a strong chance to make a deep run and, in the case of the Wisconsin Badgers, which are being overlooked.

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, for example, has No. 3-seed Wisconsin defeating No. 14-seed Montana on Thursday afternoon, then losing to No. 6 BYU in the round of 32. If those results come to fruition, it would mark an eighth straight season without a Sweet 16 trip for the Badgers, a significant disappointment given the program’s strong standing.

Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale also shared his bracket on Tuesday. He’s a bit higher on the Badgers, although still doesn’t see the breakthrough run that fans have been waiting a decade for.

First, Vitale has Wisconsin defeating Montana in the first round. “Badgers control the tempo and get it done,” the longtime broadcaster wrote. He also has No. 11 VCU upsetting No. 6 BYU later Thursday to set up a matchup against Wisconsin in the second round. There, Vitale has the Badgers defeating VCU, moving on to their first Sweet 16 since 2017. His specific prediction: “The Badgers’ veteran leadership takes over, draining clutch free throws and playing smart, disciplined basketball.”

Finally, he sees Wisconsin’s road ending in the second weekend with a Sweet 16 loss to No. 2 Alabama. “The Crimson Tide turn this into a track meet,” Vitale wrote. “[They will run] the floor and finish at the rim with authority.”

Here is Vitale’s full bracket and game predictions, with Michigan State, Florida, Duke and Houston reaching the Final Four.

Entering the tournament, Wisconsin’s expectation is at least a trip to the Sweet 16. The team has held a top-15 ranking nationally for much of the calendar year. It also may be peaking at the perfect time after flashing top form in a run to the Big Ten Tournament…

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Source link : https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/mens-basketball/2025/03/19/wisconsin-march-madness-prediction-dick-vitale-bracket/82551409007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-19 21:03:00

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