The Overlooked: Wisconsin
It’s hard to label the Wisconsin Badgers as overlooked. They have won 30 games this season and, at times, appeared as dominant as Florida. But the Badgers are the team that has been out of the nation’s basketball limelight. Competing with Michigan and Michigan State out of the Big Ten for fanfare, Wisconsin always seems to be playing well at just the right times every year. There was a rough stretch in the middle of January, but they recovered nicely and finished strong. They aren’t the team that you adjust your schedule for in order to catch their games, but I don’t think Bo Ryan would want it any other way. They are blue collar and well coached. They are also just the team poised to spoil the party for everyone.
Keys to Victory: This Wisconsin team is as diverse as they have ever been. Typically, the Badgers play a plodding, half court style of basketball that lulls you to sleep while their Swing offense gets easy buckets. This year’s team is comfortable playing in the half court set as well as pushing the tempo. They take more of an opportunistic approach to pushing the ball down the floor. If the numbers are there, they will run. If not, they will pull the ball back out and run their offense looking for that breakdown in the defense that will lead to an easy score.
It will be hard to get in an up-tempo game with Kentucky and survive, so look for Wisconsin to take the air out of the ball and play their more traditional style. The Badgers will likely be better served in taking their time and making a young Kentucky team stay disciplined in their defensive rotations rather than trying to play fast. The Badgers can score though and have four players averaging in double figures so they are no one-trick pony. They are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country. Frank Kaminsky is a match-up nightmare and Wisconsin will be well served in getting him the ball early and often.
The Wisconsin defense will be tested by Kentucky’s talented group of players. Kentucky’s speed and athleticism could potentially give Wisconsin fits, but having survived against an athletic Arizona team, the Badgers are more than capable of getting big stops when needed. In fact, defense has always been Bo Ryan’s calling card. They will need it now more than ever if they hope to be the last team standing.
