Badgers fans celebrate first round win in NCAA tournament

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- March Madness is in full swing in Madison.

Dozens packed the bars near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to watch the Badgers secure an 85-66 victory over the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday.

"They've got to keep going, they have to hit the outside shot," said Tom Kammerude, from Blanchardville. "If they keep their legs, they'll be alright."

The Badgers are no strangers to March Madness, but after a crushing loss in the first round of the tournament to the 12th-seeded James Madison Dukes, Wisconsin fans are hoping for a deep run this time around.

Steven Anderson, from Minocqua, hopes the team makes the Sweet 16 "at the minimum."

"I'm optimistic," he said. "I think (Greg) Gard has a good team. He's put together more talent."

Brain Taylor, who lives in Portage, is also banking on a Badgers winning streak in the tournament.

"I feel pretty confident though, they'll at least get to the Sweet 16," said Taylor.

The team's victory comes days after a tough loss to Michigan in the Big Ten championship game on Sunday.

Some fans believe it was the best-case scenario for the Badgers to come back with a vengeance heading into the weekend.

"It's hard to win four, five games in a row and then win a bunch of games in the tournament, so I thought it was a settling factor," said Clark Flowers, from Houston.

The Badgers will play BYU on Saturday.