The No. 5-seed Wisconsin Badgers take on the No. 12 High Point Panthers in today’s opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
With a significant gap in strength of schedule between the two, my High Point vs. Wisconsin predictions expect this matchup to set up for that disparity to show in a big way.
Here are my best free March Madness picks for this West Region showdown on Thursday, March 19.
High Point vs Wisconsin prediction
Who will win High Point vs Wisconsin?
Wisconsin: Upsets featuring No. 12 seeds have a storied tradition during March Madness, but look elsewhere for your Cinderella story.
Although the High Point Panthers enter on a 14-game win streak, they were favored by more than six points in each of those games. This is their first outing as underdogs all season, and it’s clear they don’t have the talent to hang with the Badgers.
High Point vs Wisconsin best bet: Wisconsin -10 (-110)
The High Point Panthers are at their best when they can force turnovers and get to the line. However, the Wisconsin Badgers turn the ball over at the third-lowest rate in the country and do a great job at defending without fouling.
The bigger reason to fade the Panthers: they rank just 346th in strength of schedule per ESPN — the weakest of any tournament team that isn't a No. 16 seed.
Meanwhile, the Badgers have shown they can compete with elite competition, boasting five wins this season against teams currently in KenPom's Top 10.
COVERS INTEL: The last nine Big South teams to make the NCAA Tournament went 0-9 SU and 1-8 ATS, with all of them losing by double digits. 
High Point vs Wisconsin same-game parlay
Center Nolan Winter is expected to return after missing the last four games with an ankle injury. The seven-footer leads Wisconsin with 8.6 rebounds per game, and he should control the glass against a puny Panthers frontcourt whose tallest player checks in at 6-foot-8.
High Point ranks 50th in the country in adjusted tempo, and that fast pace should result in plenty of points between two teams that are better on offense than defense. The Over is 17-8 in the Panthers' last 25 games while cashing in 13 of Wisconsin's previous 19 contests.
High Point vs Wisconsin SGP
- Wisconsin -10
- Nolan Winter Over 8.5 rebounds
- Over 162.5
Our Big Dance SGP: Badgers Blowout
Since I'm betting on the Badgers to fill up the hoop, let's also back leading scorer Nick Boyd (20.6 ppg) to eclipse his points prop.
Boyd comes off a 14-point outing against Michigan’s elite defense, but he had scored 22+ in four of his previous five games.
High Point vs Wisconsin SGP
- Wisconsin -10
- Over 162.5
- Nolan Winter Over 8.5 rebounds
- Nick Boyd Over 21.5 points
High Point vs Wisconsin odds
- Spread: High Point +10 (-110) | Wisconsin -10 (-110)
- Moneyline: High Point +330 | Wisconsin -500
- Over/Under: Over 162.5 (-110) | Under 162.5 (-110)
High Point vs Wisconsin betting trend to know
The Badgers have covered the spread in 14 of their last 20 games (+7.40 Units / 34% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for High Point vs. Wisconsin.
How to watch High Point vs Wisconsin
| Location | Moda Center, Portland, OR |
| Date | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 1:50 p.m. ET |
| TV | TBS |
High Point vs Wisconsin key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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