Wisconsin vs Arizona West Region Handicapping
The West Region’s best defensive team will take on the best offensive team in Saturday’s West regional final between top-seeded Arizona and No. 2 Wisconsin. [ad-4468020]
2014 NCAA Tournament Free Picks
West Bracket – Elite 8
Date/Time: 8:49 p.m. EST, Saturday, March 29, 2014
Venue: : Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: TBS
Spread: Zona -3
Over/Under: 130
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Wisconsin is in the regional final for the first time since 2005, after a convincing 69-52 win over No. 6 Baylor on Thursday.
The Badgers defense shut down the Bears offense , which had averaged 79.5 points in tournament-opening wins against Nebraska and Creighton, holding them to 31.6 percent shooting, including 2-of-15 from 3-point range, while outrebounding them 39-33.
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Meanwhile, the offense was led by Frank Kaminsky with 19 points and a career-high six blocks, while Ben Brust added 14 points and freshman Nigel Hayes who posted 10 points off the bench.
Kaminsky shot 8-of-11 from the field, while guards Josh Gasser, who was instrumental in Wisconsin’s third-round win over Oregon, dragged down a team-high eight rebounds.
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The win was the Badgers 12th in 14 games, and it seems they are peaking at the right moment, while the Wildcats looked like they might be making an untimely tournament exit against San Diego State last time out.
Arizona fell behind early as the Aztecs rode an offensive surge to a 32-28 advantage at the break.
From their San Diego continued to roll, until Arizona gained the lead with 7:18 remaining, behind a flurry of buckets from Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Johnson, who scored all 15 of his points in the final 2:46 of the contest, as the Wildcats held on to knock off the Aztecs, 70-64.
Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also had 15 points apiece for Arizona, which shot 61.9 percent from the field in the second half to finish at 47.9, while being outrebounded 37-29.
Free Pick: Wisconsin
Arizona looked a little wobbly against the Aztecs, and are a much different team with Brandon Ashley sitting on the sideline.
Wisconsin on the other hand looked very good against Baylor, and plays terrific defense while shooting great from the field.
Arizona has shown its ability to fold offensively, which could be a huge problem against this stingy Badgers’ defense.