Baylor Bears (23-2) vs Wisconsin Badgers (18-12)
Game Info: Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 2:40 PM (Hinkle Fieldhouse)
Betting Odds: Baylor Bears -6.5 -- Over/Under: 138.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Wisconsin Badgers and Baylor Bears will square off at Hinkle Fieldhouse this Sunday afternoon in the 2nd round of the South Region in the NCAA Tournament.
The 9-seed Wisconsin Badgers (18-12) had no trouble advancing to the 2nd round after defeating the 8-seed North Carolina Tar Heels, 85-62, this past Friday night. Wisconsin was outstanding on both ends of the court against North Carolina and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 40-24 lead. Wisconsin shot 50.8% from the field and 48.1% from beyond the arc while North Carolina shot 38.5% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. Wisconsin outrebounded North Carolina by a 37-34 margin and won the turnover battle by a 10-7 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Badgers was Brad Davison who had 29 points, 6 rebounds, & 1 assist.
On the season, Wisconsin is averaging 69.6 ppg on 42.1% shooting from the field. The Badgers are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Wisconsin has been led by D’Mitrik Trice (13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.0 apg), Micah Potter (12.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 apg), Brad Davidson (9.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg), & Aleem Ford (8.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg).
Defensively, Wisconsin is holding their opponents to an average of 64.3 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Badgers have a rebound margin of -1.7 and a turnover margin of 2.9.
The 1-seed Baylor Bears (23-2) was able to advance to the 2nd round after defeating the 16-seed Hartford Hawks, 79-55, this past Friday night. Baylor got off to a slow start against Hartford, however, Baylor’s offense finally found their rhythm near the end of the 1st half and had no trouble pulling away from the Hawks after going into halftime with a 37-21 lead. Baylor shot 41.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc while holding Hartford to just 35.2% shooting from the field and 22.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Baylor outrebounded Hartford by a 43-25 margin and won the turnover battle by a 24-10 margin. Leading the way for the Bears was MaCio Teague who had 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, & 1 steal.
On the season, Baylor is averaging 84.4 ppg on 49.3% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 10.3 three-pointers per game on 41.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Baylor has been led by Jared Butler (17.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.0 spg), MaCio Teague (16.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.7 apg), Davion Mitchell (14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.0 spg), Adam Flagler (8.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.5 apg).
Defensively, Baylor is holding their opponents to an average of 66.4 ppg on 49.3% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 4.4 and a turnover margin of 4.9.
The Badgers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games, however, are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. The Bears are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games, however, just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Wisconsin looked great in their opening matchup against the Tar Heels, however, I think it’s going to be hard for the Badgers to match the offensive output that we saw against North Carolina against the tough Baylor defense as the Badgers came into the NCAA Tournament ranked just 217th in scoring offense & 268th in FG%. Baylor has looked a bit sluggish since coming back from their time off due to Covid-19 protocols in early/mid February, however, this is a team that has been dominant on both sides of the ball this season, ranking 3rd in scoring offense, 1st in 3-FG%, & 61st in scoring defense, and as I just don’t think Wisconsin has the offense to keep up with Baylor, I think the Bears pull away in the 2nd half and cover this mid-range spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Baylor Bears -6.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05