It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the Wisconsin Badgers are set to take on the Baylor Bears in the NCAA tournament. But what are the key matchups that will decide this game? Here’s a quick rundown.
Wisconsin Badgers Mens Basketball vs. Baylor NCAA Tournament …
The 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament was the 74th edition of the NCAA Tournament, a single-elimination tournament to determine the men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball national champion for the 2018–19 season. Held from March 19 to April 8, 2019, it was the first tournament held entirely in Florida.
The Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball team represented University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men’s basketball season. The Badgers, led by head coach Greg Gard in his fourth full season, played their home games at the Kohl Center as members of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 23–11, 13–5 in Big Ten play to finish in third place. As the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, they defeated Penn State and Nebraska before losing to Michigan State in the semifinals. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed in the South region where they defeated Oregon and North Carolina before losing to Auburn and Kentucky respectively.
The Baylor Bears men’s basketball team represents Baylor University in Waco, Texas, United States in NCAA Division I men’s basketball competition. The Bears compete as a member of Big 12 Conference.[2] The team plays its home games at Ferrell Center and is currently coached by Scott Drew.[3] Drew joined excited Baylor Nation on April 27, 2003 after being hired from Valparaiso University.[4] In thirteen seasons under Scott Drew, Baylor has amassed a record of 251–155 (.617) with zero losing seasons, five 20+ win seasons (twenty or more wins),[5][6][7][8][9] two regular-season conference championships (Big 12 North: 2009; Big 12: 2020),[10][11] one conference tournament championship (2010), eleven NCAA Tournament appearances including six consecutive berths since 2015,[12][13] six Sweet Sixteen appearances,[6][8][14][15] five Elite Eight appearances,[9][16] four Top 25 recruiting classes according to ESPN,[17][18][19] university enhancements such as establishing permanent locker rooms and offices for both men’s and women’s programs inside McLane Stadium as well as endowing both programs.
The Key Players for Each Team
In the battle of Wisconsin vs. Baylor, these are the key players for each team:
For Wisconsin, it starts with D’Mitrik Trice. The junior guard is averaging 15.4 points per game and is the Badgers’ best perimeter shooter. He will be matched up against Baylor’s Makai Mason, who is also a capable shooter from deep.
In the frontcourt, Ethan Happ will go up against Baylor’s Freddie Gillespie. Gillespie is a lengthy and athletic big man who could give Happ some trouble on the offensive end. However, Happ is a savvy veteran and one of the best defenders in the country. He will look to use his experience to his advantage in this matchup.
For Baylor, their key player is undoubtedly guard Jared Butler. Butler is averaging 16 points per game and is the team’s best playmaker. He will be tasked with going up against Wisconsin’s Brad Davison, who has been solid defensively this season.
The X-factor in this game could be Baylor forward Tristan Clark. Clark missed last season with an injury but has come back strong this year. He has been a force on both ends of the floor and gives Baylor another scoring option in the frontcourt.
The Key Matchups Between the Two Teams
In order for the Wisconsin Badgers to have a chance at taking down the Baylor Bears in the NCAA tournament, they will need to focus on a few key areas. Here are the three biggest matchups that will determine which team advances to the next round.
1. The point guard battle between D’Mitrik Trice and Jared Butler will be crucial. Trice is coming off a strong performance against UNC, but Butler is one of the best guards in the country.
2. The frontcourt matchup between Nate Reuvers and Freddie Gillespie will be interesting to watch. Both players are very good defenders and rebounders, but Gillespie has been better offensively this season.
3. The matchup between Wisconsin’s bench and Baylor’s starters could be important. The Badgers have a deep bench, while Baylor relies heavily on its starters. If Wisconsin can wear down Baylor’s starters, it could be an advantage.
The Importance of This Game
This article is about the importance of the game between Wisconsin and Baylor in the NCAA tournament. Wisconsin is a strong team, but Baylor is considered to be one of the best teams in the country. The winner of this game will advance to the Elite Eight, where they will have a chance to make it to the Final Four.
The X-Factors for Each Team
In order for the fifth-seeded Wisconsin Badgers to upset the Baylor Bears, they will need to control the pace of the game and keep it close. The x-factors for each team are as follows:
For Wisconsin, their x-factor is junior center Ethan Happ. Happ is averaging 17.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season. He will need to have a big game on both ends of the floor in order for Wisconsin to have a chance to win.
Baylor’s x-factor is their freshman guard Jared Butler. Butler is averaging 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season. He will need to be aggressive on offense and help Baylor get out to an early lead in order for them to win the game.
The Predictions for the Game
The Wisconsin Badgers and the Baylor Bears will face off in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday night. The game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Badgers are coming off a dominant performance in their Round of 32 matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels, winning by a score of 72-64. That win advanced Wisconsin to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2015.
Meanwhile, Baylor had a much easier time in their Round of 32 matchup, easily dispatcheding the Hartford Hawks by a score of 79-55. That win was the Bears’ sixth in a row and extended their lead to 27-3 on the season.
What do our experts think about this matchup? Check out their predictions below.
The Aftermath of the Game
Wisconsin forward Nate Reuvers (35) and Baylor center Freddie Gillespie (33) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Badgers had one of their best wins of the season Saturday.
That 70-52 victory over Baylor comes with a big asterisk, though.
The 10th-ranked Badgers will be without star center Ethan Happ when they face the Bears again Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Region.