Wisconsin fans are blown away with clear 1st-half unsung hero vs. Montana

The Wisconsin Badgers are leading against the Montana Grizzlies 40-32 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It hasn't been the cleanest half of basketball for the Badgers, but they walked into the locker room with the lead and momentum. The game featured a unique style of play for Wisconsin as they accomplished a ton of points in the paint and less around the arch. One of the biggest unsung heroes of the first half was a surprise to many fans: Xavier Amos.

Xavier Amos impressed against Montana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Amos isn't the leading scorer at the half; that's Steven Crowl with 10. He also isn't the leading rebounder; that's Nolan Winter. But he is leading in an important stat: blocks. What really made Amos impressive was his ability to score in the paint and be relentless on the defensive end. He provided a huge spark off the bench, and Wisconsin fans were reacting all half to it.

He truly was an X-factor with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He held his own defensively in the paint and took advantage of his limited minutes and non-starter role. He came in and went hard and helped Wisconsin pull away from Montana.

The Badgers left a lot on the table in the first half, and there is plenty to clean up for the second half, but they are leading, and that's the key. Wins are wins, and that's what they are looking for so they can play on Saturday. Wisconsin still has one more half to go, and if it keeps going as it did in the first half, it will be nice to see the Badgers playing into the weekend against the winner of VCU and BYU.

Get to TNT now and watch the end for the Badgers. On Wisconsin!