- James Madison vs Wisconsin takes place at the Barclays Center on Friday night (9:40 pm ET)
- The #12 James Madison Dukes tied for the most wins in the country at 31-3
- See below for James Madison vs Wisconsin expert picks, predictions, and odds
The #12 James Madison Dukes (31-3, 5-0 neutral, 18-14-1 ATS) look to add to the nation’s longest win streak (13 games) when they face the #5 Wisconsin Badgers (22-13, 5-1 neutral, 16-18-1 ATS) in first-round action in the South Region of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
JMU vs Wisconsin takes place at the Barclays Center in New York at 9:40 pm ET and the Badgers are listed as sizable favorites.
James Madison vs Wisconsin Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison Dukes | +5.5 (-110) | +195 | Over 145.5 (-105) |
| Wisconsin Badgers | -5.5 (-110) | -238 | Under 145.5 (-115) |
The Badgers are 5.5-point chalk in the James Madison vs Wisconsin odds and -238 on the moneyline to advance. The Dukes are +195 underdogs to move on to the second round of the March Madness bracket, where they would face the winner of #13 Vermont vs #4 Duke.
Odds as of March 22 at BetMGM. Lock in a BetMGM promo code to wager on JMU vs WISC.
With #3 Kentucky falling to #14 Oakland last night elsewhere in the South Region, both JMU and Wisconsin already saw their Final Four odds improve. The Badgers are +1300 to win the region while JMU is +7500.
James Madison Likes to Run
The Dukes finished the season averaging 84.4 points per game,, 13th-most in the nation, and sit 54th in offensive efficiency at KenPom. Junior guard Terrence Edwards Jr averages at team-high 17.4 PPG and 3.5 APG, while 6’9 forward TJ Bickerstaff is adding 13.4 point and 8.5 rebounds per night.
JMU started the season with one of the best wins in school history, beating then-#4 Michigan State 77-75 OT on the road. Edwards had a team-high 24 points while Bickerstaff grabbed 14 rebounds as the Dukes finished with a 51-48 edge on the glass.
The Michigan State win was part of a 14-0 start to the season for the Dukes, but it was their only win all year that came against a top-100 team. JMU lost both its regular-season games to App State (82nd at KenPom), which won the Sun Belt regular-season title, and then didn’t have to face the Mountaineers in the conference tournament.
This is JMU’s first tournament appearance since 2013 and the first under head coach Mark Byington.
Wisconsin Finishes Season on 6-9 Skid
The Badgers had the look of a national-championship contender during a 13-3 start to the season, which included wins over Virginia (65-41 neutral), Marquette (75-64 home), and Michigan State (70-57 away). But an 8-1 record in Big Ten play faded to 11-9 by the end of the season.
The Badgers regained their composure in the conference tournament, winning three in a row to reach the Big Ten championship game, where they fell to Illinois (93-87).
Wisconsin doesn’t play at a fast pace (308th in tempo) but they do have an excellent offense. Averaging 75.8 PPG on the season, they rate 11th in offensive efficiency and have a 52.4 effective field-goal percentage.
Sophomore St John’s transfer AJ Storr immediately became the team’s offensive leader during his first season in Madison, averaging 16.9 points per game to lead the Badgers. With seven-foot Steven Crowl (7.1 RPG) and 6’9 Tyler Wahl (5.4 RPG) patrolling the post, Wisconsin is excellent on the defensive glass, grabbing 75.4% of defensive rebounds.
JMU vs WISC Expert Picks
Wisconsin has obviously faced much stiffer competition. Only seven of the Badgers’ 35 games came against teams outside of KenPom’s top 100, while JMU only played three games against teams inside the top 100.
But winning becomes a habit, and the Dukes have acquired it. They won’t lack for confidence after beating the Spartans in East Lansing. The Badgers should have an edge in rebounding, but they aren’t terribly proficient on the offensive glass, and Wisconsin’s excellent defensive rebounding only becomes a major issue of JMU is cold.
Wisconsin is a solid team and a deserving favorite, but the price for a JMU win (+190) is worth a bet on a Dukes upset.
James Madison vs Wisconsin prediction: JMU moneyline (+190)
When it comes to college basketball, the James Madison Dukes and Wisconsin Badgers are two teams that have been making waves in their respective conferences. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, but how do they stack up against each other in terms of expert picks, predictions, and odds?
The James Madison Dukes, led by head coach Mark Byington, have had a solid season so far with a record of 15-6. They have been playing well in the Colonial Athletic Association and have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Dukes have a strong offense, averaging 76.2 points per game, and a solid defense, holding opponents to just 68.4 points per game. They have also been successful on the road, with a 7-3 record away from home.
On the other hand, the Wisconsin Badgers, coached by Greg Gard, have also had a successful season with a record of 16-6. The Badgers have been dominant in the Big Ten conference and have shown that they are a top contender in the NCAA. Wisconsin has a strong defense, holding opponents to just 62.8 points per game, and a balanced offense, averaging 70.4 points per game. The Badgers have also been successful at home, with a 9-1 record at the Kohl Center.
In terms of expert picks and predictions, both teams have been getting a lot of attention from analysts and bettors alike. The Dukes have been seen as a strong underdog pick in some matchups, while the Badgers have been favored in most of their games. However, both teams have shown that they are capable of pulling off upsets and surprising their opponents.
When it comes to odds, the Wisconsin Badgers have been favored in most matchups, with odds typically ranging from -150 to -200. The James Madison Dukes, on the other hand, have been seen as underdogs in most games, with odds typically ranging from +150 to +200. However, these odds can change depending on various factors such as injuries, home-court advantage, and recent performance.
Overall, both the James Madison Dukes and Wisconsin Badgers are strong teams that have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. While the Badgers may be favored in most matchups, the Dukes should not be underestimated and have shown that they are capable of competing with some of the best teams in the country. It will be interesting to see how these two teams fare as the season progresses and if they will meet in the NCAA tournament for an epic showdown.
