High Point coach Flynn Clayman is navigating the NCAA Tournament with his wife Katie Clayman, an assistant with the Panthers women, who are also tournament bound. They're also juggling parenting duties for 19-month old son,

Wisconsin's backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell must play disciplined. The Badgers are already ranked in the top 60 of turnover rates, but we've seen games where it can get away from them a bit. If the Badgers can limit turnovers, then they can take away one of High Point's best scoring weapons: the fast break.

The High Point Panthers and Wisconsin Badgers are lined up for a first-round NCAA Tournament game Thursday in Portland, Oregon. Tip-off is 1:50 p.m. ET.

College basketball picks, predictions, and odds for High Point vs. Wisconsin in NCAA Tournament March Madness action on Thursday, March 19.

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — FOX8’s Kevin Connolly is live at the scene as the High Point Panthers men’s basketball team prepares to hit the road to Oregon for their second-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers are set to do battle with No. 12 High Point at 1:50 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19.

March Madness picks, predictions, odds for High Point vs Wisconsin NCAA Tournament first-round West Region game on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Who wins?

Wisconsin's No. 5 seed may have affected early wagering, but Nolan Winter's latest injury update has more money coming in on the Badgers.

BOTTOM LINE: High Point takes on Radford in the Big South Championship. The Panthers have gone 15-3 against Big South teams, with an 11-2 record in non-conference play. High Point is the top team in the Big South at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 58.5 points while holding opponents to 36.7% shooting.

There's less than 48 hours until the Wisconsin Badgers take on the High Point University Panthers for the NCAA Men's March Madness Tournament.

Wisconsin heads into the NCAA Tournament on March 19 facing a high-scoring High Point team that's looking like a trendy upset pick.