The winningest team in the country and Sun Belt Champion James Madison Dukes will be the No. 12 seed that gets to face the No. 5-seed Wisconsin Badgers coming off an impressive conference tournament run as part of the first round of the Midwest Region in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tip-off will be at 9:40 pm ET, as the Dukes (31-3) will look to upset a Badgers team that went from a No. 1-seed conversation to a complete skid to end the regular season to an impressive run and showing against Big Ten Tournament champions Illinois. Wisconsin finished up with a 22-13 record on the year.
Keep reading for the best ways to use Round 1 March Madness promos to build your betslip.
📈 Wisconsin vs. James Madison Odds
Wisconson-JMU lines were found at bet365 Sportsbook and were current as of Friday at 6 p.m. ET:
- Moneyline: Wisconsin (-250), James Madison (+195)
- Spread: Wisconsin -5.5 (-110), James Madison +5.5 (-110)
- Total points: Over 143.5 (-115), Under 143.5 (-105)
Despite coming in as 5.5-point underdogs, James Madison is just +195on the moneyline. That goes to show that many bettors and bracket-fillers will look to the Dukes to spring an infamous 12/5 upset.
The total has climbed two points since the open, so there are some bettors who believe the Badgers might match the typically quick JMU tempo.
🔮 Wisconsin vs. James Madison Prediction
Wisconsin 79, James Madison 73
There’s plenty of buzz surrounding the Dukes as a dangerous No. 12 seed, but it should be the Badgers advancing thanks to their balanced scoring effort from guys that are simply more athletic on both sides of the court than what JMU has seen of late.
Nothing against what James Madison has accomplished this year, but it’s tough to give its strong ratings (like a strong three-point defense) full credit when you take a look at a schedule full of quad-four opportunities.
Wisconsin has faced enough tests over the past month to wake it up and have it fully focused for this late-night tip in Brooklyn, NY.
✅ Wisconsin vs. James Madison Best Bet
Over 143.5 (-115)
bet365 Sportsbook • 1 Unit
Plenty of variables in this matchup made finding a “Best Bet” trickier than usual, but I landed on the Over 143.5 points based on a few key factors.
First, the Badgers have shown some offensive firepower of late, relying a lot on slashing guard play and some hybrid big men that can score from multiple levels. JMU will be fine to run, considering it does have the transitional shooters to do so, but it has only played one game this year against a team this athletic, and that was the first game of the season back in early November.
Ultimately, both teams can score well, neither turns the ball over much, both should make their free throws, and this one should stay relatively close. We should see a chance for this thing to go Over as long as Wisconsin doesn’t get up by double digits by the under-8:00 timeout in the second half.
💰 Wisconsin vs. James Madison Betting Promos
There’s nothing quite like the first Thursday and Friday of March Madness. By the time the Badgers and Dukes tip off, we will have watched almost 30 amazing basketball games with everything on the line. Try wagering some cold hard cash on some of these matchups using the awesome sportsbook promotions below.
BetMGM Wisconsin-James Madison March Madness Promo
By joining BetMGM, you can earn up to $150 in Bonus Bets with code LWOS.
Once you earn those credits, you can safely back a +185 underdog on the moneyline risk-free. Putting that $150 in bonus bets on JMU would win you $277.50 if the Dukes pull off an upset.
bet365 Wisconsin-James Madison March Madness Promo
At bet365 you have multiple options. You can go big on a single wager and have a safety net in bonus bets if you lose, or you can place a smaller wager to rack up $150 in bonus bets to use throughout the first weekend of the tournament. Take a look here: $1K First-Bet Safety Net, or Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus with the promo code LWOSBONUS.
📋 How To Claim Wisconsin vs. James Madison Betting Promos
- Find your preferred Wisconsin-JMU March Madness sportsbook.
- Follow the links there to sign up. You’ll have to submit personal and contact information, as well as a promo code for some offers.
- Next, confirm your details, agree to the terms and conditions, and create your account.
- Once your account has been created, you’ll link a payment method and make your first deposit. Remember the terms and strategy associated with the bonus offer you’re using for that book.
- Finally, you’re ready to bet. If you are taking advantage of a promotion that is linked to your first bet, make sure to follow the rules of the offer to best maximize its value.
