March Madness Cinderella Alert: Can James Madison Shock Wisconsin?
The NCAA Tournament’s first round offers a clash of contrasts as the upstart James Madison Dukes (No. 12) take on the battle-tested Wisconsin Badgers (No. 5) on Friday, March 22nd at 9:40 PM ET on CBS.
JMU: The Mystery Team
The Dukes enter March Madness on a hot streak, but their true strength is shrouded in mystery. Their dominant season included a surprising win over Michigan State but lacked tests against top-tier competition. They’ll need to prove themselves quickly against a formidable Wisconsin squad.
Wisconsin: Big Ten Tested
The Badgers are no strangers to high-level basketball. Their Big Ten schedule hardened them, and though they fell just short in the conference championship, they boast a potent offense led by sharp-shooter Max Klesmit and a balanced scoring attack.
Key Matchups
- JMU’s Backcourt vs. Wisconsin’s Pressure: Can the Dukes handle the Badgers’ aggressive defense and distribute the ball effectively?
- Rebounding Battle: Wisconsin’s size could be an advantage. JMU needs to crash the boards to limit second-chance opportunities.
- X-Factor: Bench Depth: Wisconsin’s experienced reserves could make the difference in a tight game.
Betting Insights
- The First Half Spread: JMU’s momentum might make them a tempting bet to cover the spread in the first half.
- The Underdog Moneyline: If you believe in the Cinderella story, JMU’s +200 moneyline offers potential for a big payout.
Upset?
This game has all the ingredients of a classic March Madness upset. Can the unproven Dukes make a statement against a Big Ten powerhouse, or will Wisconsin’s experience prevail?
Our Pick
Who doesn’t like a good Cinderella story? We have mentioned before how just about every team in this tournament can play with anyone for 30 minutes. Concentrating on 1st half plays can be a profitable strategy during March Madness. We’re going to play James Madison +3 in the first half and then, hopefully after our bet cashes, we’ll root Cinderella home for the upset!