Wisconsin gets first March Madness win since 2022

Apnews - Mar 20th, 2025

Wisconsin's backup forward Carter Gilmore played a pivotal role in their 85-66 victory over Montana in the first round of March Madness, marking the Badgers' first tournament win in three years. Gilmore's crucial three-pointer and subsequent defensive plays helped Wisconsin break away from a close contest, ultimately setting up an upcoming game against BYU. The game highlighted Wisconsin's depth, with John Blackwell scoring 19 points and four other players achieving double digits. Montana, despite being the Big Sky Conference champions, struggled to maintain their usual shooting efficiency, finishing at 39% from the field.

This victory is significant for Wisconsin, as it propels them towards potentially reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in eight years. It also serves as a redemption from their previous year's first-round loss. The game underscored the importance of having a deep roster, especially in high-stakes tournaments like March Madness. Meanwhile, Montana's exit from the tournament highlights the challenges faced by lower-seeded teams despite strong regular-season performances. This win positions Wisconsin as a formidable contender moving forward in the tournament.

March Madness College Basketball Wisconsin Badgers Carter Gilmore Montana Grizzlies Greg Gard John Blackwell

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and accurate depiction of Wisconsin's victory over Montana in the NCAA tournament. It excels in clarity and timeliness, offering a detailed recount of the game that is both engaging and accessible. The factual accuracy is strong, supported by the reputation of the Associated Press, though it could benefit from more explicit source attribution. While the article maintains a balanced perspective, it leans slightly towards Wisconsin's achievements, which is typical in sports reporting. The coverage is timely and relevant, appealing primarily to sports enthusiasts. Overall, the article effectively captures the excitement of March Madness, though its impact and engagement are naturally limited to the sports domain.

Accuracy

The article presents a highly accurate account of Wisconsin's victory over Montana in the NCAA tournament. Key facts, such as the final score (85-66), the performance of Carter Gilmore, and the scoring details of the Wisconsin team, align with the verified sources. The article accurately reports the game's context, including Carter Gilmore's significant plays and the overall team performance. However, while the article captures the essence of the game, it lacks direct citations for some statistical claims, such as Montana's shooting percentage, which would benefit from explicit source attribution. Overall, the factual accuracy is strong, with minor areas for improvement in source transparency.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by highlighting performances from both Wisconsin and Montana. It gives credit to Wisconsin's players while also acknowledging Montana's efforts and challenges. The narrative includes quotes from both teams' coaches, which adds to the balanced portrayal. However, the focus is predominantly on Wisconsin's success, with less emphasis on Montana's perspective or strategic challenges. This could lead to a slight perception of bias towards the winning team, although it is typical in sports reporting to focus on the victors.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it easy for readers to follow the game's narrative. It logically presents the sequence of events, starting from key moments in the game to the overall outcome. The use of quotes adds depth and context to the story, enhancing its readability. The article effectively conveys the excitement and dynamics of the game without overwhelming the reader with technical jargon.

Source quality

The article is based on information from a reputable news agency, the Associated Press (AP), known for its journalistic standards. The details provided are consistent with what is expected from a reliable source. However, the article would benefit from more explicit attribution of statistics and quotes, which would enhance credibility. While the AP's reputation supports the article's reliability, additional references or links to specific game statistics or interviews would strengthen the source quality further.

Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the game events, but it lacks detailed transparency regarding the sources of its information. While it quotes coaches and players, it does not specify the context or origin of these quotes. Additionally, the article does not disclose the methodology for collecting game statistics or the criteria for selecting quotes. Greater transparency in these areas would improve the reader's understanding of how the information was gathered and presented.