Wisconsin - Davidson Preview

Sweet 16
Wisconsin Badgers (3) Vs. Davidson Wildcats (10)
Friday, March 28 @ 7:10 pm

In their second round meeting with the Kansas State Wildcats, the third seed Wisconsin Badgers led at 12:09 of period one and never looked back, winning 72- 55. The Badgers hit 52% from the floor and 41% from the three-point arc.

Guard Trevon Hughes led all scorers with 23. Center Greg Stiemsma took in 7 rebounds and hit for 14 points. Michael Flowers, at guard, contributed in all areas—15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He was 3 of 3 from downtown and stole the ball once.

A point of concern—rebounding. Kansas State grabbed 31 bounds, while Wisconsin took in just 24. Still, the Badgers played a disciplined game, committing just 10 turnovers and 18 fouls. Wisconsin kept the Wildcats’ shooting under control as Kansas State hit only 40% from the floor and went 0 for 13 from the three-point mark.

The tenth seed Davidson Wildcats have pulled off two upsets thus far, beating 7th seed Gonzaga 82- 76 in round one and 2nd seed Georgetown 74- 70 in round two. Can they do it again and move onto the Elite 8?

Coming out of the locker room after the half, Davidson was down to the Hoyas by 11 points. But in the second half, Davidson’s Stephen Curry scored 25 of his 30 points, sending the club to the next level of play. With 4:40 left in the game, the Wildcats went ahead 59- 58 and never gave up the lead.

Guard Jason Richards was good for 20 points and forwards Thomas Sander and Andrew Lovedale took down 6 and 5 rebounds respectively. Although Georgetown hit 63% from the field to Davidson’s 39%, the Wildcats took 16 more shots. But the major difference in this one was the foul line. Davidson shot 30 frees and hit 24, while Georgetown shot just 17 and connected on only 8. Additionally, the Cats turned the ball over 4 times; the Hoyas turnovers equaled 20.

Wisconsin possesses a good defense and they’ll need it against the disciplined, highly accurate Davidson offense. The Badgers don’t want to send this team to the line. Play under the boards could make or break one of these clubs.