Wisconsin has the second-highest seed remaining in the big dance (Xavier has the 11 seed). It's only fitting they're the last Big Ten team remaining after the conference has had a wild yet dismal season. They'll be taking on a Florida team that's had its inconsistencies, but their defense is playing at a similar high level to the Badgers. Both teams will be playing in the East region's semifinal nightcap. Tipoff is set for approximately 9:59 pm Eastern time on Friday night and the game will be broadcast on TBS and the March Madness Live app.
No. 8 Wisconsin (27-9, 17-16 ATS)
With a tough draw in their early rounds of the Ncaa Tournament, not many expected the Badgers to reach the next weekend. However, they proved doubters wrong by downing Virginia Tech and sliding past Villanova, the defending champions, by three points.
What's the difference been down the stretch for this success? Their offense has finally woken up, scoring 70 or more points in three of their last five games. Nigel Hayes (13.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg) has put up an average of 16.8 points in his last four contests.
No. 4 Florida (26-8, 19-13 ATS)
As long as the Gators aren't playing Vanderbilt or Kentucky, they've been decent this season. They've tacked on a couple of double-digit victories over East Tennessee State and Virginia to reach the Sweet 16.
The 65-39 victory over the Cavaliers was stunning -- not with how Virginia's offense went cold, but how Florida's defense really stepped up.
If the Gators want to continue moving forward? they'll need KeVaughn Allen (13.4 ppg) to get back into form. He's had just 11 total points in the big dance and went 2-for-10 from the field against Virginia.
Devin Robinson (11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) has really stepped up on the offensive end with 24 points against ETSU and 14 points last time out.
Both squads won a home-and-home series at their friendly confines in 2012 and 2013. Florida remains a 1-point favorite against the spread and the total O/U is set at 131.5 points. Wisconsin is 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine NCAA tournament games as an underdog.
