The No.1-seeded Wisconsin Badgers (28-3) and No.4-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (23-10) meet in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament at the Staples Center. Action begins at 7:47 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 26.
The Badgers played well in their last game, topping Oregon 72-65 in the third round. Frank Kaminsky was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, are coming off an 87-78 win against Arkansas in the third round. Brice Johnson led the game in scoring by registering 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
Kaminsky has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Badgers. During that stretch, he has averaged 23.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers.
The Badgers could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked first in the nation at avoiding errors (TO% of only 12.6%). Additionally, North Carolina forces the 77th-fewest turnovers in the nation (32.6%). It will also be a tale of two tempos, as the up-and-down Tar Heels are ranked 24th in possessions per game with the grind-it-out Badgers at 344th.
Wisconsin is a five-point favorite against North Carolina and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 142 points. The Badgers have gone 33-3 Straight Up (SU) and 18-17-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Badgers are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .754 from the free throw line. Wisconsin is one of the most disciplined teams in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.63. Wisconsin’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation, allowing just 4.9 three-pointers per game.
As for their opponent, the Tar Heels have 26-11 SU and 20-16-1 ATS records. North Carolina performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. The Tar Heels have controlled the glass with an average of 41.5 rebounds per game, second in the country. The Tar Heels are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 14th in Division I at 1.39. The Tar Heels are a problem for teams on the defensive side, allowing only .295 shooting from three-point range to their opponents.
These two meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. North Carolina won the last game in the matchup, bumping its SU record to 2-0. The Badgers lead the matchup ATS with a record of 2-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – UNC, ATS Winner – UNC, O/U – Over
Notes
Ranked fourth, the Wisconsin Badgers have an offensive rating of 119.6. The North Carolina Tar Heels, on the other hand, rank 119th with a defensive rating of 178.8.
The North Carolina Tar Heels average 70.0 possessions per game and 1.115 points per possession. The Wisconsin Badgers earn fewer possessions with 59.9, but they score more points with 1.196.
The North Carolina Tar Heels average an effective field goal percentage of 51.3% this season. The Wisconsin Badgers have a stellar 6-2 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 51.3% or greater.
On average, Wisconsin attempts 19.2 three pointers and North Carolina attempts 13.6. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Wisconsin Badgers sit at 12-3 and the North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-1.
The Wisconsin Badgers are among the best in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.63 (ranked third). Ranking 14th, the North Carolina Tar Heels have an A/TO of 1.39.
Ranked second in the nation, North Carolina averages 41.5 rebounds per game. Wisconsin ranks lower at 195th with 34.0 RPG.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, North Carolina ranks 12th. Wisconsin ranks 107th in defensive rebounds.
