The Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a Sweet 16 match-up scheduled for a 7:25 PM tip off, to be aired on TBS.
Notre Dame features a stud in Demetrius Jackson. Jackson leads the Irish in points per game 15.5, assists per game 4.7 and steals 1.2 per game. Undoubtedly he is the catalyst of an Irish offense that hits 47.6 percent of their field goals and 37.2 of their triples. Notre Dame is one of the worst in defending the three in America (312th nationally) and opponents hit a 305th ranked 72.4% of all free throws. Notre Dame had great trouble against No. 14 Stephen F. Austin where they escaped 76-75 in a classic.
Wisconsin does what Wisconsin does best, they leave the offense at home and focus on their defensive prowess. The Badgers allow opponents to score just 63.9 points per game (19th nationally) and collate 29.4 defensive rebounds per game. Like Notre Dame, Wiscy is poor at defending the three and they actually rank worse than the Irish in that department (325th nationally). Wisconsin enters off a thrilling 66-63 victory over No. 2 Xavier.
Wisconsin Badgers 22-12 SU, 18-16 ATS
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 23-11 SU, 15-16 ATS
- ND is 0-2 ATS in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
- Wisconsin is 2-0 ATS as an underdog in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
- ND is 6-4 SU in their last ten matches.
- Wisconsin is 7-3 SU in their last ten outings.
Currently the money is virtually at a deadlock with 50% public on either side. On the Money Line, both teams require a dab of juice. Wisconsin is offered at -115, Notre Dame at -105. 77% have elected to take back the Badgers on the Money Line. 65% of the consensus are taking the over for a Total Line currently at 131. The Total Line has moved 1.5 points since its open at 129.5.