By Garin Turner
The #5 Wisconsin Badgers will take on the #12 High Point Panthers in the West Region in Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament on March 19, at 12:50 PM EST on TBS. The winner of this game will go onto round two to face either Arkansas or Hawai’i. Wisconsin enters with a 24-10 record. High Point is 30-4 on the season.
Wisconsin’s road to the tournament
The Badgers got off to a 4-0 start before losing to then ranked #9 BYU 98-70. They would then spend time winning two, losing two before dropping a game to then #5 Purdue. Wisconsin handed Michigan its first loss of the season, 91-88 a couple of games later. They would win five straight for a 14-5 record. They also beat then #8 Illinois 92-90 in overtime and then #10 Michigan State 92-71. Wisconsin finished 5th in the Big Ten. In the Big Ten Tournament, the Badgers once again beat the Illini in overtime, this time 91-88 before giving Michigan everything they could handle in the semifinal game, losing 68-65.
High Point’s Road to the tournament
High Point is in after winning both the regular season and tournament championships in the Big South. The Panthers last loss came on Jan 14 to Winthrop, 92-75. High Point didn’t face any ranked teams this season.
Keys to the game
Wisconsin’s three-point shooting. When the shots are falling, they can beat anybody in the country. When they struggle, the team struggles. High Point will have to guard the three-point line and make the Badgers beat them in the paint. Terry Anderson leads the Panthers in points and rebounds and both Rob Martin and Cam’RonFletcher average double figures.
Wisconsin also has a trio averaging double figures led by Nick Boyd at 20.6 points a game. Boyd also leads the Badgers in assists at 4.2.
Wisconsin Badgers Season Leaders
Points: Nick Boyd; 20.6
Rebounds: Nolan Winter; 8.6
Assists: Nick Boyd; 4.2
High Point Panthers Season Leaders
Points: Terry Anderson; 16.0
Rebounds: Terry Anderson; 6.0
Assists: Rob Martin; 3.7
Verdict
Even if Wisconsin struggles at the three-point line, I don’t see High Point having enough to compete. The long winning streak ends here. Wisconsin 80-High Point 55.
(Image Credit: Ohio State Athletics)
