Michigan Wolverines vs Wisconsin Badgers Picks and Predictions March 16th 2025

No. 18 Wisconsin Battles No. 22 Michigan for Big Ten Crown

Badgers Seek Revenge in Championship Rematch

The Big Ten title will be decided Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis as No. 18 Wisconsin (26-8) takes on No. 22 Michigan (24-9). Both teams surprised the conference this year, positioning themselves as legitimate contenders.

After avenging regular-season losses to UCLA and Michigan State, Wisconsin is eager to secure the championship that narrowly eluded them last season, when they fell to Illinois. Forward John Tonje has been central to the Badgers’ success, recently making his All-American case clear with a standout 32-point performance against Michigan State.

Coach Greg Gard praised his team’s resilience:

“The credit goes to our players. They’ve bought in from Day 1. Now we’ve just got to finish the job.”

Michigan’s Remarkable Turnaround

Under new coach Dusty May, Michigan has completed an impressive turnaround from last in the Big Ten standings to a shot at the title. Their semifinal victory against Maryland was highlighted by Tre Donaldson’s game-winning layup with five seconds remaining.

Graduate transfers and players from winning backgrounds, such as Donaldson, have transformed the Wolverines into contenders. Forward Danny Wolf, who previously guided Yale to NCAA Tournament success, pointed out their shared championship mentality:

“We knew exactly what we could do and what we could be. We have a lot of guys from winning programs.”

Key Players to Watch

Wisconsin will lean heavily on Tonje, coming off a 32-point performance against Michigan State. Michigan will rely on Donaldson’s clutch playmaking and consistent contributions from big man Vlad, who brings valuable postseason experience.

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Season Series Recap

Michigan secured an early-season victory over Wisconsin on Dec. 3. Wisconsin now seeks redemption and aims to balance the scales by capturing the Big Ten championship.

Keys to the Game

Wisconsin must leverage Tonje’s offensive prowess and balanced team contributions. Michigan’s formula for victory will hinge on their defense and timely execution, especially in critical late-game situations.

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Betting Odds & Expert Predictions

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