BROOKLYN, N.Y. — As James Madison players watched film all week to prepare for their first-round matchup against No. 5 Wisconsin, they scouted their foe and sized up its strengths and weaknesses. And nothing really intimidated them.
“It’s a really good matchup for us,” forward T.J. Bickerstaff said on the eve of the game. “Just following our game plan and listening to our coaches — we should be fine.”
What followed was not surprising to those in the film sessions or anyone who watched these 12th-seeded Dukes all season long. In front of a raucous JMU-heavy crowd, they jumped all over the Badgers from the opening tip, forcing turnovers, pushing the ball in transition and setting the pace and physicality against a Big Ten foe.
When the buzzer sounded, it was James Madison 72, Wisconsin 61.
As it turns out, the Dukes were more than fine. They secured the program’s first NCAA tournament win since 1983, and they’ll face No. 4 Duke on Sunday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
JMU’s win over Wisconsin was the fifth game won by the lower seed in the South region, the most of any region in this year’s bracket. After a regular season marked by court storms and upsets, it seemed only fitting to see yet another double-digit seed advance to the second round. This one, though, was an upset on paper that didn’t feel like it in all actuality.
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No. 12 JMU handles No. 5 Wisconsin for first NCAA tournament win since 1983: How far can the Dukes go?
