What Wisconsin Basketball Fans Need to Know About James Madison

Greg Gard and the University of Wisconsin men’s basketball program are headed to the big dance once again and will face a formidable opponent in the opening Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Drawn as the No. 5 seed in the South Region, the Badgers (22-13) are set to clash with the 12th-seeded James Madison (31-3) in the tournament’s opening round, scheduled for 8:40 p.m. on Friday in Brooklyn, New York.

James Madison enters the tournament as one of the hottest teams in college basketball, boasting an impressive 13-game winning streak. Their remarkable run, which extends back to January 27, culminated in a Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship. With their momentum at an all-time high, the Dukes could present a tough challenge for the Badgers.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin basketball is coming off an encouraging Big Ten Tournament performance. Despite falling short in the championship game against No. 13 Illinois, the Badgers showcased resilience by toppling conference regular-season winner No. 3 Purdue in overtime despite some uneven officiating. This strong showing in Minneapolis looked much more like the version of this team we saw before February. 

“We’re a better team walking out of here today than we were when we showed up on Thursday,” Gard told reporters. “I’m looking forward to these guys having more ball coming up this next week in the tournament.

“You want to be playing your best basketball in March, and we are.”

Having missed out on the NCAA Tournament last season, the Badgers are determined to redeem themselves and build on their recent successes to make a memorable postseason run. Here’s what Wisconsin basketball fans need to know about James Madison. 

Tournament Film Breakdown

Wisconsin vs James Madison scouting report and matchups pic.twitter.com/Arfr1xisfD

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 19, 2024

Wisconsin Basketball Has a Clear-Cut Size Advantage

The Badgers have a unique opportunity to leverage a significant size advantage against James Madison.

With the Dukes lacking frontcourt players above 6 feet 9 inches in their rotation, 7-foot junior center Steven Crowl is well-positioned to make an impact on the interior for Wisconsin basketball. Crowl’s performance has been pivotal for the Badgers, especially when he plays aggressively and effectively controls the paint.

Crowl showcased his value in the Big Ten Tournament, averaging 14.5 points over four games, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while stepping out and sinking 6-of-13 3-point attempts.

Additionally, forwards Tyler Wahl (6-9), Nolan Winter (6-11), and Carter Gilmore (6-7) should be in a position to capitalize on favorable matchups in the low post, particularly if T.J. Bickerstaff, James Madison’s tallest player, defends Crowl. Their ability to exploit these opportunities down low — and finish could significantly impact the game’s outcome.

The Badgers Could Struggle Finding Quality 3-Point Looks 

Making the most of the interior looks becomes even more important for Wisconsin basketball when considering the challenges the Badgers may face against James Madison from beyond the arc.

The Dukes boast the nation’s second-best 3-point defense, limiting opponents to a mere 28.6% shooting from deep this season. On the flip side, Wisconsin’s performance from beyond the arc has been streaky, shooting 30.8% from 3 in losses and 37.3% in wins.

Should James Madison effectively defend the Badgers’ perimeter shooting, players like AJ Storr, Chucky Hepburn, Max Klesmit, John Blackwell, and Kamari McGee will be responsible for initiating plays off the dribble and creating scoring opportunities for their teammates.

Moreover, Wisconsin basketball must prioritize ball security against James Madison’s aggressive defense, which boasts a 12.2% steal rate, ranking 12th in Division I. Conversely, the Badgers allow steals on only 7.2% of their possessions, a testament to their discipline, which ranks 13th in the nation according to KenPom.

Wisconsin Basketball Needs Backcourt Defense to Step Up

Let’s be honest here: the Wisconsin basketball team wasn’t that great defensively this past season, which could make the Badgers’ task of identifying someone on the wing who can contain James Madison’s offensive weapon on the wing all the more difficult.

Redshirt junior Terrence Edwards Jr. stands as the linchpin of the Dukes’ offense, occasionally handling the role of primary ball-handler while being the top-scoring option. With impressive averages of 17.4 points and 3.5 assists per game, the 6-foot-6 Atlanta native poses a notable threat.

Edwards Jr.’s exceptional performance has been instrumental in James Madison’s success, contributing significantly to the team’s record-breaking 28 regular-season wins. His standout performance against Michigan State, where he scored 24 points and made 12-of-13 free throw attempts, exemplifies his ability to influence the outcome of a game.

As the recipient of the Sun Belt’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season and the league’s Player of the Year accolade this year, Edwards Jr. commands attention from opposing defenses and could present a concerning challenge for the Badgers’ wing defenders.

“With Edwards, you know, he’s like some of the guys we’ve seen our league,” Gard told reporters. “Ball’s going to be in his hands quite a bit
he’s going to be making plays for others, he can score, and he just knows
how to find the bottom of the basket.”

To neutralize Edwards Jr.’s impact, Wisconsin basketball must find ways to either help AJ Storr in 1-on-1 situations or throw a combination of looks at him from smaller options such as Max Klesmit, John Blackwell, or even Tyler Wahl if they feel like they can better handle a mismatch elsewhere.

As they gear up to face James Madison, Wisconsin must remain adaptable, emphasize ball security, feed the post, and play with defensive intensity to limit Edwards’ scoring opportunities, disrupt his rhythm, and gain the upper hand in their upcoming matchup against James Madison.

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