Wisconsin - UNLV Preview

UNLV Rebels (7) Vs. Wisconsin Badgers (2)
Sunday, 3/18 @ 2:30
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Wisconsin -5.5

The University of Nevada Rebels led Georgia Tech by 7 at the half and then Tech battled back. Finally, the Rebels beat the Bulldogs 67- 63. The Wisconsin Badgers found themselves in deep trouble in their first contest as the Texas A&M—Corpus Christi team controlled the ball game until the mid-point of the second half. With 10:15 left in the second, Wisconsin tied it 47 all. Then they started to pull away. They finished the game 76- 63.

UNLV shot below par at 32% (19- 60), going only 27% from the three-point arc. A big help was their foul shooting. At the charity line, the Rebels added on 21 points in 27 attempts (78%), which was substantial when compared to Georgia Tech (10 of 17—59%). The Rebels defense could not shut down Tech, which shot 41% from the floor.

Senior Kevin Kruger managed the floor for UNLV, threading 8 assists while putting in 5 points. Senior guard Wendell White put in 19 points and grabbed a team-best 8 rebounds. Senior guard Michael Umeh also scored 19. Jo Adams, a sophomore guard, was good for 13 points, while forward Gaston Essengue worked inside for 6 rebounds and a half-dozen points.

The upstart Texas A&M—CC Islanders led Wisconsin at the half 27- 19. The second-half saw the Badgers finally turn it on, scoring 57 points to the Islanders 36. The Badgers were out shot by the TA&M—CC on all fronts except at the foul line where the Badgers were 25 of 30 (83%). The Islanders put in 17 of 25 (68%).

Senior guard Kammron Taylor put in 24 points, including 3 from downtown. Senior forward Alando Tucker was good for 23 points and 5 rebounds, while sophomore forward Marcus Landry took in 7 rebounds while scoring 7 points. Off the bench freshman guard Jason Bohannon was instrumental putting in 10 points and dishing off 3 assists over the course of 26 minutes. The 8 steals and 4 blocked shots that the Badgers recorded certainly helped.

Wisconsin meets a more complete opponent when they take on the Rebels today. The Rebels must pick up their shooting and the Badgers their intensity in the second round.

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