2016 NCAA Tournament: Xavier Musketeers vs Wisconsin Badgers Game Info, TV, Live Stream and More
Wisconsin and Xavier meet for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen
It may not have been one of the more ugly victories in NCAA Tournament history, but the Wisconsin Badgers scratched and clawed their way to a 47-43 victory over the Pitt Panthers on Friday night to advance to the second round. Waiting for them is the two seeded Xavier Musketeers from the Big East conference.
Related Story: Badgers Advance in Upset Filled First Round
The Badgers the worst first half I have ever seen Friday night, turning out just 16 points in the first 20 minutes of play. But they game out of the locker at the half more energetic and more aggressive, especially Ethan Happ. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year was one of the few bright spots Friday night, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds to go with two steals on defense.
Nigel Hayes had a night he’d love to forget. Hayes connected on just 3-of-17 shots with zero hit behind the three-point arc, but was able to end the game with 12 points.
Xavier used its size and strength in the inside to dismantle Weber State 71-53 in their opening round game of the tournament. James Farr came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points and 15 rebounds while Xavier’s other big man Jalen Reynolds added 12 points to pace the Musketeers.
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Xavier did not want to let Weber State hang around and provide another shocking upset in the day and looked to their two big men to pull away in the second half. Xavier also held a 43-27 advantage on the glass over an overmatched and oversized Wildcats team.
If Wisconsin wants to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third year in a row they must keep Farr and Reynolds off the glass as much as possible. They will have to win the rebound advantage once again and try and force both big men out of the paint as best they can.
Xavier scored 42 points in the paint and if the Badgers allow that on Sunday, it will be a long night for Greg Gard’s crew.
The Badgers will also have to have a better shooting night than what they did against Pitt. Wisconsin hit just 32 percent of their shots and only 21 percent behind the three point line. One reason why Wisconsin was able to will themselves back into the game and eventually pull out the victory was getting back to their tenacious defense in the second half.
If they can keep up that kind of energy against Xavier it will be tough to get anything inside under the hoop.
This will be only the second time these two teams have met in the NCAA Tournament. Xavier won the first meeting 60-49 over the Badgers in 2009 in the second round.
Date: Sunday, March 20th
Location: St. Louis, MO
Arena: Scottrade Center
Time: 7:40 p.m. CT
TV Channel: TNT
Live Stream: March Madness Live
Announcers: Brian Anderson, Steve Smith and Dana Jacobson
Radio: Westwood One Sports
Live Stats: NCAA GameCenter
Odds: XAV -5; O/U 136