Written by Rohit Ghosh
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Wisconsin versus Arizona: Elite 8
After a tough victory over SDSU, No. 1 Arizona gets set to take on No. 2 Wisconsin in one of the more highly-anticipated Elite 8 matchups in recent history. Wildcats guard Nick Johnson overcame a scoreless first-half to close out a 70-64 win over SDSU that saw Johnson score all 15 of his points in the final few minutes of the game. It will once again be a battle of offense vs defense as Arizona’s unrelenting defense tries to contain a deep and prolific Wisconsin offense. Which side can impose their will to secure a ticket to the Final Four?
Wisconsin enters the Elite 8 having won 12 of their last 14 games. Their success thus far has been a combination of a balanced offense and an efficient defense. On one end of the floor, they have four players averaging nearly 11 points per game. While their balanced attack has helped keep the floor spread, it has been their defense setting the tempo early on. Baylor’s usually-productive offense was held to just 16 first-half points in the Sweet Sixteen matchup against Wisconsin. Baylor shot 64 percent and hit 11 three-pointers in the previous round against Creighton. Frank Kaminsky led the way for Wisconsin with 19 points and 6 blocks vs Baylor.
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Arizona’s success in the tournament has been a direct result of a defense that has limited six of its last seven opponents to fewer than 64 points. Arizona’s last five opponents have also been held to an average of just 36.7 percent shooting. Arizona is No. 11 in the nation in opponents first half points, limiting teams to fewer than 28 points per game in the first half. Arizona’s defense continues to improve as the game goes on, ranking No. 4 in the nation in second half points allowed.
Wisconsin averages nearly 24 points per game from beyond the arc. Arizona is No. 8 in the nation in limiting production from the three-point line, holding opponents to an average of just 13.5 points produced from three-point shots. The Badgers may be in for a long night if their outside shot isn’t falling early.
Player to Watch
Rarely will Nick Johnson go scoreless in the first half of a tournament game. Johnson was able to pick it up late in the second half against SDSU and should be able to use that confidence to start strong against Wisconsin. His 15 points in the final minutes, including going 10-10 from the free-throw line, was the most for any player in the final 5 mins of a game in the last five NCAA Tournaments. Keep an eye on Johnson to have a more balanced attack Saturday vs Wisconsin.
AccuScore has picks against the spread and on the Over/Under for every game in the Elite 8, including this one: see all College Basketball picks
Wisconsin vs Arizona: Top Betting Trends
Wisconsin is 7-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last 8 neutral site games.
Wisconsin is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
Arizona is 4-0 ATS in its last 4 vs. Big Ten schools.
Arizona is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 NCAA Tournament games.
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