NCAA Tournament Southeast Region Third Round
#4 Wisconsin Badgers vs #5 Kansas St Wildcats
McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 8:40 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Wisconsin -2 1/2
Current Line: Wisconsin -3 1/2
Opening Total: 127 1/2
Current Total: 126
Money Line: Wisconsin -155 / Kansas St +135
Two of the nation’s best point guards lead their teams in this Southeast Region third round game with a trip to the sweet 16 in New Orleans next week on the line. Kansas St led by Jacob Pullen takes on Wisconsin led by Jordan Taylor. Wisconsin is the #4 seed in the southeast region and is 24-8 overall, and finished third in the Big Ten with a 13-5 record. The Badgers lost in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament 36-33 to Penn St. They were a trendy pick to be upset by Belmont in the second round, but the Badgers jumped out early and never looked back in their 72-58 win over the Bruins. Forward Jon Leuer scored 22 points and pulled down 7 rebounds, and Taylor pulled down 21 points and had 6 assists. At the end of January it wasn’t clear if Kansas St would even make the tournament. They had just been destroyed by Kansas 90-66 and were 14-8 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12. Since then, Kansas St has gone 9-2, with both losses coming to Colorado. They are 23-10 overall and finished tied for third in the Big 12 with a 10-6 record. Kansas St beat Utah St 73-68 in the second round Thursday. Kansas St jumped out to an 11 point halftime lead and it looked like it was going to be a rout. However, a series of second half turnovers and missed shots allowed Utah St to climb back into the game. The Wildcats held on for a 73-68 win. Pullen missed practice the day before and was questionable for the game against Utah St. However he scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats to the victory.
These two teams last played in 2008. It was also a round of 32 game and Wisconsin won 72-55. This season Kansas St was 4-6 against teams that qualified for this year’s tournament. Wisconsin was 8-8 versus tournament teams. Wisconsin is 12-4 ATS in the game after allowing less than 60 points the previous game.
Kansas St forwards Wally Judge and Freddy Asprilla have left the team. Forward Curtis Kelly missed the first three games due to injury for the Wildcats then was later suspended 6 games. He is under investigation for an undisclosed violation of K-State’s student-athlete guidelines. Guard Jacob Pullen leads the Wildcats in scoring, assists, and steals despite missing 3 games of his own due to a suspension. He averages 19.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Guard Rodney McGruder averages 11.4 points, 6 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.5 assists a game. Kelly is averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and leads the team in blocks with 1.4 a game. Forward Jamar Samuels averages 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists a game. Kansas St is outscoring opponents 73-66 on the season. The Wildcats shoot 43.7% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range. Wildcat opponents are shooting 42.1% from the field. K-State struggles from the free throw line making only 65.4% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 37.8 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +6.7. The Wildcats average 14.2 assists and 14.8 turnovers a game. They force 15.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Wildcats average 6.2 steals and 4.7 blocks a game.
Wisconsin has no significant injuries right now. Senior Forward Jon Leuer leads the team and is a candidate for national player of the year. Leuer is averaging 18.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Leuer is shooting 37.7% from 3-point range and 85.6% from the free throw line. Guard Jordan Taylor averages 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists to lead the team, and 0.7 steals a game to lead the team. Forward Keaton Nankivil averages 9.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks a game to lead the team. All three of the top scorers shoot better than 38% from 3-point range. Wisconsin is outscoring opponents 68-58 on the season. The Badgers shoot 44.7% from the field and 37.7% from 3-point range. Badger opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field. The Badgers make 82.3% of their free throws. Wisconsin averages 32.1 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +4.0. Wisconsin averages 13.2 assists and 7.6 turnovers a game. The Badgers force 9.6 turnovers a game on defense. The Badgers average 3.4 steals and 3.1 blocks a game.
These two teams are among the best defensive units in the country. This game will probably be played in the mid to low 50’s. It will be a very physical game and whoever survives will play the winner of Pitt and Butler in the regional semifinals.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on nay more winners this year.
