- Matchup: High Point Panthers vs Wisconsin Badgers
- Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Venue: Moda Center, Portland, OR
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds: Wisconsin (-10)
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The High Point Panthers (30-4) are set to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers (24-10) at the Moda Center on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. High Point enters this matchup as 10-point underdogs according to Vegas odds, with an over/under established at 164 points.
In their most recent game, the High Point Panthers secured a strong victory over Winthrop, winning 91-76. High Point demonstrated potent offense with a field goal percentage of 45.8% (27 of 59) and converted 10 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc. At the charity stripe, the Panthers excelled, making 27 of 32 free throws for an impressive 84.4% rate. They recorded 36 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards, and dished out 14 assists while forcing 12 turnovers and claiming 8 steals. Defensively, High Point limited Winthrop to a shooting percentage of 35.7% (25 of 70). The Eagles ended the game with 11 assists, 3 steals, and 43 rebounds (16 offensive, 27 defensive) but failed to block any shots. They also struggled from the free throw line, making only 58.1% of their attempts (18 of 31) and hitting 8 of 33 three-pointers. Foul trouble saw High Point accumulate 25 fouls compared to Winthrop’s 27.
Rob Martin was a standout performer in the game, attaining 31.6% shooting from the field alongside 7 assists in 33 minutes of play, contributing a total of 24 points on 6 of 19 shooting.
Entering this encounter, High Point boasts a remarkable record of 30-4 for the season. The team averages 9.4 turnovers and 18.6 personal fouls per game. High Point averages 36.4 rebounds and has tallied 554 assists this season, which ranks them 38th nationally. The Panthers are currently hitting 35.6% of their three-point attempts (314 out of 883) and 74.3% from the free throw line. Their scoring average stands at 90.0 points per game, ranking 3rd in the nation, with a field goal percentage of 49.1%.
Defensively, the Panthers force an average of 16.4 turnovers and average 20.1 personal fouls. They rank 173rd in college basketball for assists allowed, yielding 429 assists this season. Their opponents shoot 42.6% from the field (826 out of 1,937) and the Panthers allow an average of 34.2 rebounds per game, conceding 31.7% on three-point shots, ranking 79th in Division 1 in points allowed per game (70.3).
In their last outing, the Wisconsin Badgers fell short against Michigan, losing 68-65. Wisconsin allowed Michigan to grab 34 total rebounds (7 offensive). From beyond the arc, they shot 32.0%, hitting 8 of 25, and completed 10 of 12 free throw attempts (83.3%). The Badgers struggled defensively, allowing Michigan to shoot 43.1% (25 of 58). Ultimately, Wisconsin made 23 of 61 field goal attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 37.7%. They fared better from distance, draining 16 out of 38 three-point attempts (42.1%) but only converted 3 of their free throws at a rate of 60.0%. Michigan committed 23 fouls, leading to just 5 free throw opportunities for the Badgers. Wisconsin managed 5 steals and secured a total of 36 rebounds (25 defensive, 11 offensive).
Austin Rapp was critical for the Badgers during this matchup, making 6 of 11 shots for a 54.5% field goal percentage, gathering 6 rebounds, and contributing 18 points in 29 minutes, along with 1 assist.
Wisconsin holds a record of 24-10 this season. The Badgers average 17.2 personal fouls per game and have a successful rate of 78.6% from the free throw line. They tally 16.0 assists per game (ranking 64th nationally) and turn the ball over an average of 8.9 times per game. Throughout the season, Wisconsin has scored 2,822 points (83.0 per game) and collects 35.5 rebounds per game. Offensively, the Badgers hit 45.0% from the floor, placing them 193rd in the country.
The Wisconsin defense allows a 33.3% shooting from three-point range (276 of 830), and opponents hit 72.9% from the free throw line. They permit an average of 13.7 assists and 34.8 rebounds per game, ranking them 210th and 212th in college, respectively. The Badgers rank 236th in the nation for points per game conceded, allowing 75.9. They create 10.1 turnovers per game while allowing opponents to shoot 44.7% from the field (219th in D-1).
Which team will come out on top in tonight’s NCAA action against the spread?
Prediction: Back Wisconsin (-10)
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