Gard getting the Wisconsin Badgers ready for Montana

(WNFL/LEARFIELD) – The Wisconsin Badgers will take on Montana in an opening-round game in the NCAA tournament in Denver on Thursday.

Badgers coach Greg Gard said that the first thing that jumps out at about Montana is the team’s age and experience.

Gard said that Monday has grown this year after a slow start.

Gard talked about why this year’s Badgers team won’t go out like last year’s opening-round loss to James Madison.

The Badgers, in addition to an improved offense this year, have improved on defense as well. Gard said there is still room for improvement.

Should the Badgers win on Thursday, they will face the winner of BYU and Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday. Gard said that he’s not worried about that potential game. He’s letting his assistants do the work there.

As for whether or not the Badgers are ready for Thursday’s game, Gard said he liked what he saw in practice.

Montana qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2019 by winning the Big Sky Conference tournament.

This will be the second meeting between the Grizzlies and Badgers at the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin defeated Montana 73-49 in 2012 in a 4-13 matchup.

The game tips off at 12:30 Thursday afternoon.