NCAA Tournament returns to Denver: A look at the eight teams at Ball Arena

March Madness returns to Denver for a second straight year, with eight teams coming to compete at Ball Arena across four first-round games and a pair of second-round games.

The opening-round games are Thursday, and the second-round games are Saturday.

Montana guard Malik Moore (3) goes up for a three point shot over Northern Colorado forward Brock Wisne (14) early in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Montana guard Malik Moore (3) goes up for a three point shot over Northern Colorado forward Brock Wisne (14) early in the second half during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

In the East Region, Ball Arena drew a No. 3 seed in Wisconsin and a No. 6 seed in BYU. Plus, in the South Region, Denver will host a No. 4 seed in Texas A&M and a No. 5 seed in Michigan.

Wisconsin takes on No. 14 Montana, while BYU plays No. 11 VCU. Texas A&M takes on No. 13 Yale, while Michigan plays No. 13 UC San Diego. This week marks the 11th NCAA Tournament in Denver. Last year, there were no upsets in the games at Ball Arena.

Both Wisconsin and Michigan have played for the national title in the last decade. The Badgers lost to Duke in 2015, while Michigan lost to Villanova in 2018. The Wolverines have played in eight Final Fours and were national champions in 1989, while the Badgers have played in four Final Fours and were national champions in 1941.

VCU made the Final Four as a Cinderella in 2011, when it was a No. 11 seed and lost to Butler. The Atlantic-10 champions could be a Cinderella again this year, plus there are a few others capable of pulling upsets in Denver. Ivy League champion Yale has the depth to potentially make some noise, while UC San Diego enters March Madness on a 15-game winning streak, tied for the nation’s longest.

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Unfortunately for local hoop heads, there isn’t a single Colorado high school basketball product on any of the teams coming to Denver.

Here’s everything to know about the eight teams coming to Ball Arena. As of Sunday, tickets to the games were still available. Last year, the games sold out.

East Region

No. 3 Wisconsin (26-9) vs. No. 14 Montana (25-9)

Wisconsin

Overall/Conference Record: 26-8, 13-7

Coach: Greg Gard

Ranking: No. 3 in East Region

Best win: 103-88 vs. No. 9 Arizona

Worst loss: 86-75 vs. Penn State

About the Badgers: Wisconsin is led by a one-two guard punch of John Tonje and John Blackwell, who are averaging 19.5 and 15.4 points per game, respectively. They also have two solid post players in Nolan Winter and Steven Crowl.

Montana

Overall/Conference Record: 25-9, 15-3

Coach: Travis DeCuire

Ranking: No. 14 in East Region

Best win: 83-75 vs. Cal State Northridge

Worst loss: 79-76 at Portland State, OT

About the Bobcats: The Big Sky champions, who denied UNC a tournament bid by beating them in the conference title game, have balanced with four scorers averaging double digits. Guard Money Williams is the top threat at 13.3 points.

No. 6 BYU (24-9) vs. No. 11 VCU (28-6)

BYU

Overall/Conference Record: 24-9, 14-6

Coach: Kevin Young

Ranking: No. 6 in East Region

Best win: 88-85 at No. 10 Iowa State, 2OT

Worst loss: 84-64 at Providence

About the Cougars: Led by their first-year coach Young, BYU is highlighted by guards Richie Saunders (16.0 points per game) and Egor Demin (10.3). Center Keba Keita is also impactful, averaging 7.1 points and 7.9 rebounds.

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VCU's Kuany Kuany (13) attempts to block a shot attempt from Duquesne's Fousseyni Drame, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)
VCU’s Kuany Kuany (13) attempts to block a shot attempt from Duquesne’s Fousseyni Drame, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

VCU

Overall/Conference Record: 28-6, 15-3

Coach: Ryan Odom

Ranking: No. 11 in East Region

Best win: 76-68 vs. Colorado State

Worst loss: 69-66 vs. Seton Hall, OT

About the Rams: After missing the tournament last year, the Rams are back in the dance. They feature four scorers averaging double digits: guards Max Shulga (15.0), Joseph Bamisile (15.0), Phillip Russell (10.7) and Zeb Jackson (10.6).

South Region

No. 4 Texas A&M (22-10) vs. No. 13 Yale (22-7)

Texas A&M

Overall/Conference Record: 22-10, 11-7

Coach: Buzz Williams

Ranking: No. 4 in South Region

Best win: 83-72 vs. No. 1 Auburn

Worst loss: 64-61 at UCF

About the Aggies: Texas A&M makes its third straight tourney appearance and is led by guards Wade Taylor IV (15.7) and Zhuric Phelps (14.1). Plus, they have two forwards capable of heaters in Pharrel Payne (9.4) and Henry Coleman III (7.8).

Yale

Overall/Conference Record: 22-7, 13-1

Coach: James Jones

Ranking: No. 13 in South Region

Best win: 74-58 vs. Akron

Worst loss: 100-94 vs. Delaware

About the Bulldogs: Yale is making its eighth tourney appearance after losing in the second round last year. The Bulldogs are headlined by the Ivy League’s top scorer John Poulakidas, who averages 19.0 points and shoots 40.2% from 3.

Yale head coach James Jones celebrates while helping to cut down the net after defeating Cornell in an Ivy League tournament championship NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Yale head coach James Jones celebrates while helping to cut down the net after defeating Cornell in an Ivy League tournament championship NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

No. 5 Michigan (25-9) vs. No. 12 UC San Diego (30-4)

Michigan

Overall/Conference Record: 25-9, 14-6

Coach: Dusty May

Ranking: No. 5 in South Region

Best win: 67-64 at No. 11 Wisconsin

Worst loss: 84-81 at Minnesota, OT

About the Wolverines: Under first-year boss May, Michigan is back in the dance following a two-year absence. A pair of potent forwards lead the way in Vladislav Goldin (16.9 points on 63.4% from the field) and Danny Wolf (9.9 rebounds).

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UC San Diego

Overall/Conference Record: 30-4, 18-2

Coach: Eric Olen

Ranking: No. 12 in South Region

Best win: 75-73 at Utah State

Worst loss: 85-81 at UC Riverside

About the Tritons: Making their tourney debut in just the fifth year of the program, the Big West champions feature four scorers averaging double figures. Forward Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds) is the Tritons’ star.

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