March Madness in Milwaukee

Next week, the nation will descend into pure madness for a month of buzzer-beaters and upsets, heartbreakers and thrillers, Cinderella stories and blue bloods during the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. With all the excitement right around the corner, now’s a good time to preview the tourneys, who to root for, where to watch and everything you need to tap into the anarchy of postseason college basketball. While we can’t tell you who to root for (Hint: Marquette), we can help you enjoy every moment of the most unpredictable sporting event. Let’s Dance!

Who’s in?

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Marquette University Golden Eagles

We’ll start right at the top with the vaunted Marquette University Golden Eagles. MU finished the regular season third in the Big East at 23-8, good enough for a top 10 finish in the AP rankings. Led by All-Big East Point Guard Tyler Kolek and Power Forward Oso Ighodarho, the Golden Eagles’ regular season play has surely secured the team a seat in the dance. Marquette's showing in the Big East Conference Tournament Championship game cemented the Golden Eagles as the seventh-ranked team in the country, good enough for a two-seed in the tournament.

University of Wisconsin Badgers

Few teams have been more enigmatic than the Wisconsin Badgers this season. The team has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride from start to finish. At one point, ranked as high as No. 6 in the country, the Badgers lost five of their final 11 games, sinking to fifth place in their own conference. Riding shining performances from star PG Chucky Hepburn and the emergence of SF A.J. Storr, the Badgers stormed through the Big 10 Tournament, taking down top-seeded Purdue en route to an appearance in the conference championships game. The Badgers' strong performance in the Big 10 Tournament moved UW from a fringe six-seed to a solid five-seed. 

 

NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
 

Marquette University Golden Eagles

The only team on our list whose tournament bid is on the bubble, Marquette finished the regular season with an identical record as the men’s team at 23-8 but with an 11-7 record in conference play. Their regular season performance was good enough to propel the Golden Eagles to a three-way tie for third place in the Big East. Led in scoring F Liza Karlen and Mackenzie Hare, MU made it to the semifinals of the Big East Tournament before falling to eventual champion UConn. Teetering in the leadup to Selection Sunday as one of the First Four in the tourney, the Golden Eagles have punched their ticket as a 10-seed.
 

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix

UW-Green Bay's tournament hopes are much more certain. The Phoenix have already punched their ticket to the madness for the first time in six years, winning the Horizon League Tournament over regular-season conference champions Cleveland. Looking to capitalize on their postseason momentum behind leading scorers Natalie McNeal, Maddy Schreiber and Cassie Schlitz, the team is seeking its first tournament win since 2012.

Make it a Sports Getaway

March Madness in Milwaukee is only the beginning of your ultimate sports weekend.
 

• Catch professional hoops action at a Milwaukee Bucks game on Thursday, March 21, and Sunday, March 24, as two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and star PG Damian Lillard make their playoff push.
   
• The Milwaukee Admirals will play the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Nashville Predators' AHL affiliate leads the league as the Ads chase their first championship since 2020.
   
• On Friday, March 22, catch the Milwaukee Wave in a high-energy, top-of-the-table clash against the San Diego Shockers. The Major Arena Soccer League Milwaukee Wave have already punched their ticket to the postseason. Still, they’ll look to test their mettle against the Western Conference-leading Shockers at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
   

Book your ultimate tournament getaway today!

Where to Watch?

While we eagerly await March Madness' return to Milwaukee next year, you can experience the festive atmosphere of the NCAA tournament at sports bars all around town. Whether you’re rooting for a Wisconsin team, a bracket-busting upset, or a blue blood to win it all, there’s a sports bar for you to catch every second of the tourney.