Wisconsin Basketball vs Pittsburgh: Staff Predictions

The Wisconsin basketball team opens the NCAA Tournament against Pittsburgh

After winning 11 out of their last 14 games to finish the season, Wisconsin Basketball was rewarded with a 7-seed and a match-up with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

On paper, there is not much to separate these two teams, and Vegas agrees. The spread is only 1.5 points favoring the Badgers.

This game has been one of the most popular upset picks (if you can call a 10 over a 7 an upset) by both fans and analysts alike. According to ESPN’s National Bracket, 35% of college basketball fans picked Pittsburgh to win, including President Barack Obama.

However, the Badger of Honor staff is much more confident about Wisconsin’s chances to move on.

Mar 10, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Jack McVeigh (10) brings the ball up court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Rayan Vatti

Wisconsin and Pittsburgh play a very similar style, both ranking near the bottom of the NCAA in tempo. This is going to be a slow, physical, grind-it-out, rock fight. Led by the duo of Jamel Artis and Michael Young, Pittsburgh is the more efficient offensive team but Nigel Hayes will be the best player on the floor. This game is going to be really, really tight, but due to Pittsburgh’s horrible play away from home this season, and the tournament experience of the Badgers, I’m going to give the slight edge to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin 66, Pittsburgh 64

More badgers: Badgers chances at deep tourney run

Jim Oxley

The Wisconsin Badgers are hungry for a victory in the NCAA Tournament after dropping their final two contests of the regular season. Those games saw the trio of Ethan Happ, Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes struggle, especially against Nebraska, but you can bet all three will be looking to bounce back in a big way. Pittsburgh has a similar playing style to the Badgers, but Wisconsin does it better and advances after a close game early on.

Wisconsin 63, Pittsburgh 54.

Taylor Johnson

For Wisconsin to survive and advance against Pitt, they need to play with tenacity on the defensive end of the floor. Pitt is 20-1 when they score 70 points or more this season, so the Badgers will have their work cut out for them. They will need to slow down the duo of Michael Young and Jamel Artis. Getting Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and even Vitto Brown going early will be key to the Badgers winning as well as getting the advantage on the glass.

Feb 18, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) defends Wisconsin Badgers forward Vitto Brown (30) during the second half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

It will be a back and forth contest, but in the end I think Wisconsin does just enough to pull this one out and move onto the second round.

Wisconsin 63, Pittsburgh 57

Erik Buchinger

This is a matchup between teams going in opposite directions. Wisconsin began 9-9 before it finished the rest of the season 11-3. The Panthers started the year 14-1 and went 7-10 the rest of the way. Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig have by far the most NCAA Tournament experience on the floor, and they will determine whether the Badgers move on to the second round.

Wisconsin 68, Pittsburgh 62

Next: Pittsburgh By the Numbers

Wisconsin and Pittsburgh are scheduled to take the court Friday night at 5:50 p.m. central.

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