Wisconsin vs. Montana: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread Info and Predictions

The Wisconsin Badgers were awarded a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but they weren't given any favors as they line up with the Montana Grizzlies in the second round.

Wisconsin finished just a game behind the trio of leaders in the Big Ten, but lost to Michigan State in the conference tournament.

Montana, on the other hand, enters the tournament with quite possibly more momentum than any team in the country. The Grizz's last loss was 15 games ago against Weber State, but they've since beaten the Wildcats twice, including a 20-point thumping in the conference tourney final.

Overall, Montana has won 20 of its last 21 games.

Here's a closer look at this intriguing matchup.

Where: University Arena, Albuquerque, NM

When: Thursday, March 15, 2012, 2:10 p.m. EST

Watch: TNT

Listen: For radio affiliates near Wisconsin, click here. For radio affiliates near Montana, click here.

Betting Line: TBD

Key Injuries (via Chicago Tribune)

Montana: Kevin Henderson (ankle), questionable

Montana: Jordan Wood (nose), questionable

What They're Saying

CBS' Seth Davis doesn't see the Grizzlies pulling an upset.

"

They can but they won't RT @gastronom_y:can Montana beat Wisconsin?

"

"— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) March 12, 2012"

If you're more of the betting type, however, and like to play against the spread, FanGraphs' Jack Moore points out Montana might be the better pick.

"

Wisconsin has underperformed against the spread more than any other tournament team since 2007.

"

"— Jack Moore (@jh_moore) March 12, 2012"

Don't lose all faith in Montana, however, as ESPN's Myron Medcalf lists them as a potential sleeper in the East.

"

The Grizzlies haven't lost since Jan. 14. The Grizzlies had the Big Sky's top scoring defense and margin of victory. Like the Badgers, they're built on defense. And with that, the Grizzlies could shake up the region. They have five players averaging 9.2 ppg or more.

"

Wisconsin Player to Watch

Jordan Taylor came into this year as a potential candidate for Player of the Year, but he's turned into an afterthought after an up-and-down season.

Still, he leads the Badgers in scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (4.0 apg). He can be inconsistent from the field, as evidenced by his 40 percent shooting, but when he gets hot from beyond the arc, Taylor is tough to stop. 

Taylor is the engine that makes this team go. If he struggles, Wisconsin struggles.

Montana Player to Watch

Will Cherry might just be the best college basketball player you've never heard of. He has the ability to light it up on offense, as evidenced by his 16.0 ppg and 3.4 apg, but he's an absolute menace on defense.

Cherry is quick as a cat and possesses tremendous instincts that allow him to record an impressive 2.6 steals per contest. 

Throw in 3.9 rebounds and 0.3 blocks from the 6'1" point guard and you have a very impressive player.

Key Matchup

Well, both of the players to watch are point guards, so why not have them as the key matchup, too?

It's simple really. Wisconsin, at times, really struggles to score the ball, and a lot of that falls on Taylor. If he isn't effective on the offensive end, the Badgers are going to be in trouble.

On the other side of the ball, you have one of the best defenders in the nation in Will Cherry, who has the experience of guarding future lottery pick Damian Willard on three separate occasions.

Taylor and Cherry are both hard-nosed players, and neither will back down from this old-fashioned point-guard matchup.

Prediction

Both of these teams pride themselves on defense, so it's going to be low-scoring battle. We know that much.

On offense, the Badgers really rely on the three-pointer, and that makes them very susceptible to an upset on any given night they aren't hitting. I think Cherry's ability to make Taylor uncomfortable will really hurt Wisconsin on offense.

I'm taking the Grizzlies in an upset.

Badgers 56, Grizzlies 58