Montana
Wisconsin vs. Montana: Preview, picks, and prediction
The Wisconsin Badgers are heading to Denver for their first-round matchup against the Montana Grizzlies, with tip-off set for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. central.
The Badgers earned a No. 3 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament, getting bumped back to the three line but missing out on their coveted destination of Milwaukee.
Instead, they’ll have a quick turnaround, heading out to Denver to play in one of the earliest games of the tournament, just days after playing four games in four days during the Big Ten Tournament.
Wisconsin currently stands at 26-9, which is the most wins they’ve had entering the tournament since their historic 2014-15 season that ended in a National Championship appearance.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies finished their season 25-9, including 15-3 in the Big Sky, as they won their conference tournament with wins over Northern Arizona, Idaho, and Northern Colorado.
What are all of the odds ahead of the game?
Odds(via FanDuel)
Spread: Wisconsin -17.5
Over/under points: 151.5
Prediction
I’ve alluded to my thoughts a couple of times this week, but I really like the matchup for the Badgers, despite all the extenuating circumstances with the quick turnaround, altitude in Denver, and recently playing four games in four days.
Wisconsin has a clear size advantage over Montana, as the Grizzlies have only one key rotational player who stands over 6’5 and that’s forward Te’Jon Sawyer, who stands at 6’8, 240 pounds and plays only 23 minutes per game.
Apart from that, Montana is a guard-oriented team, as each of their top five players in minutes and points per game are guards.
The Grizzlies aren’t elite offensively (99th in KenPom), don’t play at a fast tempo (193rd in the nation), and are porous defensively (253rd in KenPom). That doesn’t bode well against a Badgers team that is extremely efficient in the frontcourt and is at their best playing inside out.
Honestly, I don’t really see a path to a Montana win, even with the Grizzlies shooting 50 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three. They don’t run in transition, where the Badgers have been susceptible, and don’t have the size down low to give Wisconsin matchup troubles.
Not only am I predicting Wisconsin to win, but I’m going as far as saying the Badgers will cover the hefty 17.5-point spread.
My prediction: Wisconsin -17.5
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See fanduel.com/sportsbook for details.
He is pushing for a Balanced Budget on the federal level.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is headed to Idaho and Montana Monday, where he will hold press conferences with Governors Brad Little and Greg Gianforte.
The press advisory from the Governor’s Office omitted details about why he’s going. However, Idaho News 6 reports that the Florida Governor will be pushing for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as part of the Balanced Budget Campaign supported by all Republican Governors.
KTXB reports he will be in Idaho for a so-called “informal rally aimed at state legislators” between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The press conference in Idaho is slated for 9:30 a.m Mountain Time, while the Montana event (presumably covering the same topic) is scheduled for 1:45 MT.
The Governor has made news involving both states in the last year.
DeSantis found a way to disparage Idaho’s recent economic growth, arguing that its lower population than Florida made it impossible to truly equate what’s happened in the two states.
At a press conference, the Governor was discussing Florida having the second-best performance in the “economy,” which has grown by more than 30% since he has been in office. He said Florida led “sizable states,” but less-populated “Idaho may be a little bit more than us.”
But DeSantis dissed the comparison between the states.
“Idaho has less people than Polk County does, so it’s a little bit different comparison when you’re talking, and I love Idaho, but it’s just not the same as comparing to a mature economy,” he said at Winter Haven’s Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center.
While Gov. DeSantis hasn’t held forth about Montana’s economy, he was active in working to get U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy elected last year.
Meanwhile, First Lady Casey DeSantis vacationed in the state last July. She ran a 5K according to a published report.
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Montana
A low-key retreat in Montana: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoy ski trip with Erin Andrews | NFL News – The Times of India
After a whirlwind NFL season and an emotional Super Bowl loss, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift took some well-earned time off, escaping to Big Sky, Montana for a ski trip. The couple, who have been laying low since the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, were joined by NFL analyst Erin Andrews, adding another layer of excitement to their getaway.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce unwind with Erin Andrews on a ski trip in Montana
Andrews has long been a supporter of Kelce and Swift, defending them in the face of criticism and offering words of encouragement. After Swift was booed by fans at the Superdome following the Super Bowl, Andrews stepped up to show her support.
In a recent interview with Athlon Sports, Andrews spoke highly of Kelce, emphasizing his positive influence in sports broadcasting.
“He’s such a great guy to cover. He’s always been super wonderful to me and everybody really in sports broadcasting. He’s one of our guys in the league. He makes it so much fun,” she shared.
Beyond her admiration for Kelce, Andrews has also credited Swift for influencing her own confidence and fashion choices. Speaking on her Calm Down podcast with Charissa Thompson, she praised the pop icon for making it “cool to be like, I’m a woman, and I love sports.”
“For years, I’ve just been blending in and doing the game. No, F that,” Andrews said. “I’m going to praise our girl. I’m going to praise Taylor for making it cool to be like, I’m a woman, and I love sports. And it’s good—we can look great.”
According to Deuxmoi, Andrews recently joined Swift and Kelce for a trip to Montana’s famous ski resorts. A source revealed that Swift was spotted dining at the exclusive Yellowstone Club, where she enjoyed lunch with Andrews. Unlike her usual high-security outings, Swift had only one security guard accompanying her, suggesting a more relaxed setting for the group.
While it remains unclear if Andrews’ husband, Jarret Stoll, and their son, Mack, joined the trip, it was clearly a moment of relaxation for all. This retreat follows Swift and Kelce’s recent low-profile appearances in Park City, Utah, and New York City, where they have been focusing on their personal lives away from the public eye.
Also Read: “Ken and Barbie in the NFL”: Rob Gronkowski’s role in Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s love story and his bold prediction
As both Swift and Kelce prepare for their next big chapters—whether it’s Swift’s rumored new music or Kelce’s upcoming NFL season—this downtime in Montana offers them a chance to reset. While their relationship continues to make headlines, the couple seems intent on prioritizing their private moments, balancing fame with personal happiness.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and IPL live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
The Ohio State Buckeyes were already struggling to find their footing in their NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against Montana State when coach Kevin McGuff was charged with a technical foul.
McGuff, frustrated with multiple calls against Ohio State to start the second quarter, indirectly helped the Bobcats cap a 10-0 run to take a 27-23 lead. (Sophomore guard Natalie Picton made two free throws, then slashed to the basket for a layup on the ensuing possession.)
At the same time, the technical provided a boost the Buckeyes needed to break a four-minute scoring drought.
“I think that’s the main thing that takes teams far, when you are fighting for something more,” Ohio State forward Eboni Walker said. “Him showing that consistently is what really fuels our team to want to listen and play hard for not only him, but each other.”
Picton’s layup was the Bobcats’ last basket for nearly 10 minutes of play, as Ohio State went on a 24-0 run that started in the first half and ended in the second.
With a 20-point cushion, the Buckeyes recorded a 71-51 victory at Value City Arena on Friday to advance to the second round.
Ahead of the postseason, senior Taylor Thierry had spoken about Ohio State’s need to play through missed and bad calls, and it was Thierry who was the charged with the foul (her third of the game) that set McGuff off.
“I don’t know if it’s built-up anger, but I feel like that kind of brings us together,” Thierry said. “It just motivates us to play together and just try to get stops. Again, just not focusing on things we can’t control.”
Cotie McMahon, Chance Gray provide key production in Ohio State’s 24-0 run
Fired up, the Buckeyes concluded their only path to victory was to take control and put the game in their own hands.
Following a pair of free throws from freshman point guard Jaloni Cambridge to break the scoring drought with 3:17 remaining in the half, forward Cotie McMahon powered her way to the basket on three-consecutive plays, recording five points.
McMahon finished with 15 points, with over 7 coming during the run.
Ohio State held a 32-27 advantage coming out of halftime and continued to pull away behind the hot hand of guard Chance Gray. The first three Ohio State possessions of the second half all resulted in Gray 3-point baskets.
“We played really aggressively in transition,” McGuff said. “When there’s two people there (in transition), you can spread it out to somebody wide open, which is what happened and Chance was obviously capitalizing on those.”
Gray finished the game with 15 points, all coming from beyond the arc.
The run came to an end at the 6:18 mark in the third quarter with a Bobcats’ 3-pointer, but the distance Ohio State built was enough to secure a victory.
Ohio State will face No. 5 seed Tennessee in the second round at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Value City Arena.
bmackay@dispatch.com
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